Chapter 4 What Was That?
Gage knew he’d fucked up the second he’d touched her. It had been innocent, a simple touch as he reached around her. Then her hip had fit right into his hand. The confusion that had filled her eyes at his closeness smothered with awareness. Breathing shallowed.
He shouldn’t have teased her. Toed a line he’d drawn in their relationship years ago. He hadn’t been able to help himself. Her skin had been so soft and warm beneath his hand. Her response to him so sweet. So instant.
“Oof. Hey!” He protested when her little fist jabbed into his abs. Hard enough it was more annoyed than playful. “Violent.” He chuckled, moving to fill his mug with coffee. Fuck. His body was hard. Burning for her.
Cia called for Nicky from the other room. She shot him another suspicious look before moving away. Gage couldn’t help it. Tilting his head he watched her go. Enjoying the irritated look as much as the aroused one. He could feel Brad’s eyes on him before he even looked in his direction. His brow was up, green eyes wide in amused surprise.
“I know, I fucking know.” Gage groaned, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
“Dude. What the fuck?” Brad laughed. The short bark of astonishment. “Did you just decide you don’t like your career? Or you know, breathing?” He asked.
“No!” Gage denied scowling at him. He pressed his fingertips into his eye sockets, groaning in frustration.
He had forgotten. For just a moment that Nicky’s Dad held a large amount of control over his career. If coach Steve Wilder found out Gage was fucking with his daughter, at the very least he’d be traded. Maiming and death had high probabilities too. It wasn’t just his career. The Wilders were his family. Gage hadn’t started life with a stable home life.
It had been Steve making sure Gage turned in his homework. Steve who had gotten him into hockey to keep him out of trouble. Steve was the one Gage worked his ass off to make proud. The one he wanted approval front he most.
Nancy Wilder had made sure he ate properly. That his clothes were clean and fit. She made him cookies and bag lunches. Cooed over him when he’d dressed up for prom. She’s the one who had claimed him.
Brad was his brother. His best friend. The one he told everything to. The one that knew him the best. If he was getting into trouble, it was with Brad. They bullied each other relentlessly. Fought and forgave in the same sentence. Brad was his ride or die.
Nicky was his unconditional support. His cheerleader that didn’t taken any of his bullshit. Calling him out on his crap in a way that always had him pulling himself together and trying harder. She kept him honest. She was constant.
The Wilders were his family. Nicky was the baby. Steves baby. His princess. His light. Steve trusted Gage as completely as he trusted Brad. He wouldn’t risk losing everything he loved for a roll between the sheets. No matter how good he was sure it would be.
Nicolette Wilder had always been and would always be off-limits.
“I’m so fucked.” Gage pushed his hands into his hair.
“Your good bro.” Brad assured smacking him on the shoulder. “I dunno, go get laid or something. Give Amber a call. She’s always down.” He smirked, enjoying Gage’s turmoil.
“Jee, thanks bro.” Gage rolled his eyes.
“Anytime.” Brad tossed back over his shoulder as he sauntered from the room.
Gage wouldn’t, couldn’t, break Steves trust in him.
What the fuck was that?
A mix of emotions swirled through Nicky as she walked along with Cia and Remy to the school. They’d always been attracted to each other. They both knew it. By some unspoken agreement they’d chosen to ignore it. Instead, building a relationship with carefully crafted boundaries.
They were friends. Best friends. They talked about everything. Physical touch was warm, playful, flirty. But that? That had been blatant and raw. Deep and on the edge of control. Completely different. Utterly dangerous.
Nicky wanted more.
The school was alive chaotic and loud, tapping against their abused brains sharply. Nicky and Cia shared a pained look, looping arms together. Remy pranced ahead of them like she was on the catwalk in the middle of fashion week. Throwing out smiles and waves to her friends as they passed.
“Mr. C this is my Aunty Nic.” Remy beamed up at her teacher when they reached him, her eyes sparkling secretly. What was she up to? Nicky and Cia tilted their heads towards each other, expressions suspicious. “Isn’t she pretty.”
“Wow.” Nicky murmured dryly. Cia snorted, disguising her laugh behind a cough.
“Hey Brian.” Cia said rolling her lips between her teeth to stop her smile. Brian let his gaze cover Nicky from head to toe before speaking.
“Ladies.” Brian said clearing his throat. He was cute. In a teddy bear sort of way.
“Nice to meet you.” Nicky smiled resisting the urge to roll her eyes.
“Oh! There’s Adam! Bye Mom! Bye Aunty Nic!” Remy shouted bolting off into the sea of little bodies.
“Aannnd she’s gone.” Cia snickered looping Nickys arm she tugged her back around to leave. “See you later Brian.” She called back as they walked away.
“Nice to meet you Nic.” Brian called after them. Nicky raised a hand in the air in acknowledgement without turning around.
“Quite the conniving little matchmaker you’ve created.” Nicky said dryly bumping Cia with her hip playfully. Cia huffed on her nails, brushing them against her shoulder in a cocky show of pride.
“He’d be a good rebound from Jeremy.” Cia said consideringly. “He’s sweet. He’s bullied by small children, so you know he’s got the patience of a freaking saint.”
Trauma was a funny thing. It wasn’t a constant in her mind. It came and went at its own will when she least expected it. A shortness of breath when she smelled someone wearing his cologne. Her heart racing at some random man laughing at the mall. Palms sweating inexplicably. A rushing in the ears, an invisible pressure urging her to run. Get away. The nightmares were the worse. The times when her mind embellished the things that actually happened. The dreams where she didn’t get away. The possibilities.
“Of course, he’s no Gage.” Cia said her tone filled with female appreciation. “That man is like hot sex on a stick.”
“Cia!” Nicky exclaimed in amused horror.
“What? The man is fucking gorgeous. That panty dropping grin he has. You know the one. Just the corner of his mouth tips up and he tilts his head in that innocent way. But his eyes are like intense and laughing all at the same time.” Cia said making a purring noise low in her through.
“Wow. What would Brad say?” Nicky teased, eyeing her with an amused smile.
“Please, he hasn’t put a ring on it.” Cia said sassily as they cut across their front yard. “I can see it. You’re hot. He’s hot. You guy are already good together. Why not throw in some hot and sweaty shenanigans?” Cia asked tilting her head down she lowered her voice suggestively. Yesterday Nicky may have had the answer. Today? She just didn’t know.
