Page 41 of Puck Your Bunny

"She talked to us." Simon sits up on the bed. He drags a hand through his messy hair. "A week ago she tried to kick us out the second her heat broke."

"She thought she was protecting us." I stand up from the mattress. "I told her about the fever risk this morning before we left. The reality of us getting sick changed her mind."

"We fly back tomorrow." Kel drops his massage gun into his open duffel bag.“ We need to show up and prove we plan to stay."

"We follow her lead." Simon stands and stretches his back. "We step in when she asks for help. We give them space when they need it."

"We earn our spot." Kel zips his bag shut.

I nod, turning off the lamp on the nightstand. The hockey game is over. The real work starts tomorrow when we land. We need to earn her trust.

Chapter 15

Three weeks blur together into a comfortable routine. The early summer sun warms the dry yard. The guys take turns claiming the living room sofa every night. The new backyard fence stands finished now, blocking the alley, but they still treat my living room like a guard post.

We dance around the sexual tension. Whenever we bump into each other in the kitchen or pass in the hallway, they reach out. They rest their hands on my hips and press warm kisses to my hairline. They take a clear step back and give me the space I asked for. I sleep alone in the guest bedroom. I’m still struggling with the guilt of being with them, but at the same time the constant restraint leaves me on edge.

My next Heat is right around the corner. A familiar ache builds in my core, making me restless. Nerves twist in my stomach,battling a deep hunger for their touch. Watching them step up for Brendan wears down my defenses. I want them closer.

Wally took the couch shift last night. I heard his SUV pull out of the driveway right after sunrise to go collect Kel and Simon for their day off. At eight in the morning, the three of them let themselves in using the spare keys I gave them.

They kick their shoes off onto the entryway mat, carrying hot lattes from the coffee shop downtown, a grease-stained paper bag of breakfast sandwiches, and a clear plastic container holding a bright orange fruit blend.

They move through my house like they belong here. They take over the meal prep and shoulder the everyday grind. Having them in my corner gives me room to breathe. They take over the meal prep, share the daily load, and give me room to breathe.

Simon heads straight for the kitchen. He opens the cabinets, pulling three ceramic plates from the top shelf. He moves through the space like he owns it. He sets the warm breakfast sandwiches out on the island counter and pops the plastic lid off the container.

"I got a mango smoothie bowl for Bren." Simon grabs a soft, rubber-coated spoon from the silverware drawer. "I checked the texture at the shop before we left. It has the right consistency he needs to swallow safe and easy. We get to skip the thickening powder today."

"You spoil him." I lean against the counter, wrapping my hands around the warm cardboard coffee cup Wally slides toward me.

"He deserves the good stuff." Simon grins. "Mango is way better than blended eggs anyway."

He grabs the bowl and walks down the hall into the living room. Kel drops onto the couch next to Brendan's customized wheelchair. He picks up the remote from the coffee table.

"Hey, man." Kel leans forward, resting his thick forearms on his knees. "You mind if we switch over to the hockey highlights from last night?"

Brendan blinks his bright blue eyes. He lets out a low, steady hum from his chest. I know that sound well.

I walk to the edge of the kitchen, leaning into the hallway to catch Kel's eye in the next room. "That is a yes."

Kel grins and changes the channel to the sports network. "Their top defensive pairing looks slow on the ice. We start the next playoff round against them next week and we plan to skate circles around them."

Brendan makes another rumbling noise. His eyes track the vivid colors flashing across the screen.

Simon hands the smoothie bowl to Kel. Kel takes over the feeding routine. He scoops a small amount of the bright orange fruit puree onto the end of the spoon. He waits for Brendan to open his mouth, keeping his movements slow and predictable. He feeds him with steady patience.

He pauses after every bite, giving Brendan plenty of time to swallow and breathe. The giant hockey player wipes a stray drop of mango from Brendan's chin with a paper napkin. He offers a running commentary on the hockey highlights, breaking down the defensive plays and treating Brendan like one of his teammates.

I watch them from the hallway doorframe. An intense warmth fills my chest. I carried this routine alone since the car crash took Hale and Emmett three years ago. I built a thick wall around Brendan to keep him safe. These three guys dive right into the work. They embrace the chaos of my life and carve out their own place in it.

I walk back into the kitchen. Wally leans his tall frame against the island counter next to me. He takes a slow sip of his black coffee. A dark, fitted t-shirt stretches across his broad chest. Thescent of sea breeze and bergamot drifts off his skin, mixing with the smell of roasted espresso beans.

"Coach ran us through defensive drills for two hours yesterday." Wally sets his cup down on the granite. "He made us run the stadium stairs right after practice. My legs still feel like lead today. The upcoming schedule keeps us on the ice all week."

"You guys look exhausted." I trace the edge of my coffee lid. "You need to rest on your off hours. You push yourselves too hard."

"This is our downtime." Wally shifts his weight, turning his body toward me. "We wrapped up the coursework for the caregiving classes yesterday and passed the final test."