Big League: MMF Romance

by Bianca Vix

  “I agree. I’ve never seen you so happy as you’ve been with both of these men.”

  “Me either.” Could Claire ever get what the three of them had back again? She hoped so.

  More than hoped. She needed it. Needed both of them.

  Chapter 17

  Miles didn’t know what was wrong, but the Stormers had been slacking off during practices. Now was the time that they should have been giving it their all. He had to find a way to motivate them, and fast.

  And he was having a hell of a time with that himself. It made no sense. The playoffs meant everything to him. It was the goal he’d had his whole life. And it was so close to happening. So, so close.

  So why wasn’t he super excited? Now that it was within his grasp, he just wasn’t feeling it. And how could he possibly motivate the team when he wasn’t at the top of his game himself? He couldn’t figure out what the hell was going on with him. It was like he’d lost something instead of gaining it. And it was affecting the team too. Now was the time that he had to figure out how to get his team on back on the right track.

  And himself too.

  He headed for the ice. The arena was booked and he was supposed to be completely alone. But as Miles got to the rink, he spotted a figure. Someone was standing right at the gate, as if waiting for him. Huh. Scott wasn’t supposed to meet him here for another half an hour.

  Damn it. He needed this time to try to get his head on straight. Scott was just going to have to wait.

  “You’re early,” Miles began as he strode over.

  When the guy turned to face Miles, it wasn’t Scott.

  “Hey,” Reid said.

  Miles’ brow creased. “What are you doing here?” His words came out sharper than he’d intended. But Reid’s unexpected appearance had thrown him. He hadn’t seen Reid for awhile, and now was far from being the right time for it. “How did you know I’d be here?”

  “Claire found out from Lora. I needed to see you. There’s something I need to talk you to about.”

  “Not a good time,” Miles said.

  “When would it be?”

  Miles ground his teeth, glancing at the ice longingly. “Fine. Make it quick.”

  “Look, man. I get that you were pissed off about us leaving early the night when you guys won your big game. But that doesn’t seem like enough of a reason to end our whole relationship. Especially not when we were just getting started.”

  Reid waited as if he was expecting an answer. Miles only folded his arms across his chest, waiting for him to continue.

  “It seems to me like maybe there was something else going on. You know, you and I never got a chance to talk much before. And there’s something I need to say to you. What we had, all three of us. You know it’s too good to let go of like this. It seems like maybe it was bugging you that Claire and I had a relationship before. And it’s true, she and I have a history together. There’s no changing that. But it’s in the past. What we had with you was completely different. It was the three of us. It’s not her and I, with you on the outside of that. It was meant to be all three of us together. It’s totally different and it was amazing. And I don’t want to give it up.”

  Miles adjusted his helmet, not saying anything, so Reid continued. “Look, I know a threesome kind of relationship is something really different. I’ve never been with two other people before, not like this. Frankly, the way I feel about both of you is kind of terrifying. But I don’t want to give it up. It’s just too good. I never thought something like this would be possible, and now that it’s happened, I don’t want to let it go.”

  “Is that right.”

  “Being with a man and a woman suits me perfectly, and I think it does you too. And as much as you might think it is, it’s really not Claire and I being a couple with you on the side or something. That’s not the point. We’re all starting out from scratch. Like Claire said from the beginning, we do need time to get to know each other separately too. You and I never even had that yet. You barely had it with her. And that’s what’s been going wrong, as far as I can tell. I know it’s not easy with all of our schedules either, but we can make it work if we really want to. And so, I’d like you to think about giving it another try with us.”

  Reid stopped talking. Gazing at Miles, he waited expectantly for his response.

  “You done?” Miles asked him. His voice couldn’t have been colder.

  “Yeah. That’s what I came here to tell you. So what do you think?”

  Miles took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. “What I think is that you and Claire make a good couple. Just you two. Three people together? How can that work out, it’s just too strange.”

  Reid looked at Miles square on. “You know we’re better together than apart. All of three us. I know you feel it too. You can’t hide from it. I can tell you want to be with both of us. Now if you want to walk away again, fine. But I know the truth. And I think you’re just afraid of what you feel for us too.”

  “I’m afraid of nothing,” Miles snapped back stonily. “Now if you’re done, I have some work to do.”

  He stepped out on the ice, and by the time Miles had circled halfway around the rink, Reid had disappeared.

  Good. He had other things to think about. More important things. Like taking his team to the playoffs. The last thing he needed was a distraction from what was truly important to him.

  “That was amazing.” Scott’s grin was a mile wide. “I never thought that coaching kids would be this much fun.”

  “Always is,” Miles said. “That’s a big part of the reason why the team takes it on every year. We’d keep on doing it ourselves too, if we weren’t getting ready for the playoffs.”

  “That’s a good reason if I’ve ever heard one. The Stormers are going to kill it. The Cup’s going to be yours, no question.”

  If only Miles could believe that too. “So, are you in? You’ll take over coaching for us?”

  “Oh yeah, for sure.” He passed the puck to Miles.

  He and Scott played around for awhile, just the two of them, trading off playing goalie and taking shots. Miles had thought he might have to take it easy, but Scott had no trouble holding his own against him.

  “You’ve still got it,” Miles told Scott as they headed off to the locker room. “We could use you on the team.”

  “Wish I could join you. I can play alright for awhile, just not long enough.”

  “No chance of a full recovery?”

  “No, unfortunately not. I’m lucky to be able to play this well as it is.”

  They sat down on the bench, but Scott didn’t make a move to take his skates off. Out of the corner of his eye, Miles caught Scott looking his way.

  “Something on your mind?”

  “Yeah, there is. Lora wanted me to talk to you about something.”

  Christ. “Did she now?” Miles said, tensing up. “Wouldn’t be about something that’s none of her business, would it?” His voice had a clear edge to it.

  Scott gave a short laugh. “Yeah, probably. But she asked me and so I’m doing it. Claire’s her best friend, so…”

  “All right, get it over with.”

  “Claire feels bad. She really wants you to get back together. And Reid seems to as well.”

  “That’s all you have to say? Thanks for the info. They’ll be fine on their own. They make a good couple.”

  “I don’t know about that,” Scott said. “Maybe they do, maybe they don’t. I actually thought they broke up when it was just the two of them together. When they were just a couple. And that they only got back together with you.”

  That made Miles pause. He hadn’t thought of that. It was true, they had broken up when it was just the two of them. A tiny spark of something started to rise up in him, but he quashed it down. Fast.

  “That might true. But it’s not my concern.”

  “Isn’t it?” Scott said.

  “They’d be better off as a couple. It’s not realistic, three people together.”<
br />
  Scott’s eyebrows shot up. “Is that right?”

  Miles realized what he’d just said. “Yeah, well, it might work for you. But–”

  “It does work for us,” Scott interrupted. “Let me tell you something, man. I know it’s unusual. Very well aware of that over here. It’s so much easier to be in a couple, sure. But when you find the right ones, it’s so much better with three. That’s all I can tell you. Now, I know you don’t know me very well. But you remind me of how I used to be. And you know what I found, is that you just need to go for it. The only question you really need to ask yourself is whether your life’s better with them in it.”

  “Is that what you did, huh?” Some of what Scott was saying made sense.

  It was pretty damn annoying.

  “I didn’t need to. I knew it already, and for long time before we all actually got together. I just let go of everything that was holding me back and went for it. And I can tell you that I’m glad I did. And even if it hadn’t worked out, at least I’d have tried. It’s just like in the game. That moment the perfect opening comes up? You can’t ever let it get away from you. You have to go with it when the moment’s right. Don’t take the chance on losing out.”

  “Yeah, okay. I’ve gotta go.” Miles stood up to leave, but Scott caught his arm.

  “I won’t bring it up again.”

  Miles laughed. “Even if Lora pressures you?”

  “She’s not like that,” Scott said. “She asked me to mention it. But she’d never push too hard. She’ll let it go now. I’ve got nothing more to say about it myself, except this. Don’t let a good thing pass you by, just because it might not look like how you expected it to look.”

  Miles turned away. “Let me know if you need any help with the kids,” he said over his shoulder, walking out before Scott could reply.

  He had enough on his shoulders as it was, and now everyone was pressuring him to get back with Claire and Reid too. He didn’t need this. The next person to bring up his personal life was going to regret it.

  Miles stalked out. He still hadn’t worked out how to get the team in gear. He’d have to talk to the coach.

  Chapter 18

  This was it. The night of their first playoff game. Miles strode down the hallway towards the press room, ready to go. The Stormers even had the home ice advantage, and he was pumped. It had been gruelling, but he’d gotten the team into top form, riding them hard to get everything he could out of them at every single practice. They were starting to resent him, but he didn’t care. It was all going to pay off tonight. Every single game counted, from here on out until the end. And Miles was determined that they were going to start out with a bang, no matter what.

  His hand on the door handle, Miles was about to go inside when he spotted Blake rushing towards him from the other direction. His expression was wild and he was almost running. He didn’t stop when he got to Miles.

  “Hey.” Miles caught his arm and Blake almost pulled him off balance, he was going so fast. “Where do you think you’re going?” Blake was dressed in street clothes when he should’ve been in his uniform. “You should be getting ready.”

  “I can’t,” Blake said. “I have to go.”

  “What are you talking about? The only place you have to go is back to the locker room to get your ass ready. What the hell do you mean you have to go?”

  “It’s…it’s Lora. And Scott.”

  “What?” Miles’ grip on Blake’s arm tightened. “What’s wrong with them, what happened?”

  “It’s–it’s happening right now,” Blake stammered. “I have to go.”

  “Tell me what’s going on,” Miles said. “You know you can’t leave now.”

  “It’s Oasis. The bar where Scott works. A couple guys burst in there, armed with guns. They’re holding everyone in there hostage. There’s bomb threats. I have to go. Scott’s in there with Lora. She was meeting him at the end of his shift so they could have a drink and then come to the game together.”

  Blake’s eyes bored into Miles’. “Claire and Reid were meeting them there too.”

  Miles’ blood ran cold. “What? They’re all there right now? For sure, you know that for sure?”

  “Yes. I do. Lora texted me, just before it all started going down. They’re all trapped inside with a couple of lunatics.”

  Blake wrenched his arm out of Miles’ tight grip. “I’m going there.”

  “What are you going do? Okay, it’s bad. But what can you possibly do there?”

  “I don’t know. I just have to go, just to be there and try to do something.”

  “You have to be here for this game.”

  “You can cover for me. Do something. Anything.”

  “It’s not up to me. I can’t protect you if you go now.” Miles shook his head. “You’re risking your career by leaving now, and there’s nothing I can do to help you. You know that.”

  “I don’t care,” Blake said, already turning away. “I have to go. I’ll get back here when I can.”

  Miles yanked out his phone, tapping at it as fast as he could. Surely it wasn’t true. He had to see for himself. It was the first thing that came up. And it was happening just like Blake said. Hostages taken at Oasis.

  And Claire and Reid were among them.

  He couldn’t breathe.

  “Miles.” It was the coach. “Let’s go.” Pulling the door open, he guided Miles inside, arm around his shoulders before Miles could say a word.

  His thoughts raced. What the hell was he supposed to do now? He had to do this press conference. He had to stay. Like he’d told Blake, there was nothing they could do even if they were there. There were people taking care of the situation. It would be crazy for him to leave now.

  This was a nightmare.

  As it was, Miles was going to have to figure out how the team could manage without Blake if he didn’t make it back in time for the game.

  Miles took his seat at the front of the room. Everyone else was there and ready. The questions started firing. He took his phone out to try and check for an update on the situation.

  All the first responders were there. The building was surrounded with cops. It was a standoff. And no-one was being released.

  They hadn’t taken them down.

  The blood pounded in Miles’ ears. He wanted to leave. He couldn’t.

  “Miles.” It was the coach, dragging his attention back to the question that had just been asked. He had no idea what it was.

  “Right. Yes.”

  From the reporter’s reaction, Miles knew his answer made no sense. He looked down at his phone again. There was nothing new posted about what was going on.

  He couldn’t stand it any longer.

  “Miles,” Aaron hissed under his breath. “What the fuck are you doing? Get your head where it should be and put that fucking phone away.”

  “I’m sorry, Aaron. I have to go.”

  “You have to go?” The coach’s eyes were about to pop out of his head. “Right now, you don’t have any fucking place to be but here.”

  “I have to leave. It’s urgent.” The room fell silent as Miles got up and strode out.

  The door hadn’t fallen closed when he walked out. Aaron was right behind him.

  “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Masterson? Get the fuck back in there. In case you’ve forgotten, you’re the media rep for the Stormers. This is our first game of the playoffs. The first time this team has ever made it this far.”

  Aaron grabbed Miles’ forearm, much like he’d grabbed onto Blake’s before. But Miles had no time to waste. “It’s an emergency. I have to go, right now.” He took off, racing down the hall.

  The coach yelled after him. “If you leave here, don’t you bother coming back. You’re finished. You’ll never play pro hockey again. Your career is over.”

  Aaron’s words echoed in Miles’ head. But he already knew what leaving meant.

  Chapter 19

  Miles was out of the cab almost bef
ore it stopped moving. Blake was right behind him.

  The entire street was barricaded. Miles grabbed Blake just in time.

  “Stop. Don’t fuck this up.”

  Blake shot him a look like he was going to try and break through anyway.

  “Hold on.” Miles quickly scanned the area, assessing the situation. Instinct wouldn’t work now. They had to make the right play.

  Without letting go of Blake, Miles approached one of the officers.

  “Hey, what’s going on here?” he asked.

  The man glared at him. “Nothing that’s your concern.”

  Miles let go of Blake’s arm. Right away he walked off, heading towards the side of the barriers.

  “Really?” Miles took a step in the opposite direction, making sure to keep the officer’s attention all on himself and away from Blake. Out of the corner of his eye, Miles caught a glimpse of Blake edging around the fence. He was pulling it off, getting through without being seen.

  With a sigh of relief, Miles tracked his progress through the crowd. At least he’d gotten Blake inside safely and without letting him get himself arrested in the process.

  It was all Miles could do to stop himself from bolting in right after Blake. That was no way to win this. The exact right play was what was needed in this situation. Miles checked the area again, reassessing just how he could get to where he needed to be.

  He put some distance between himself and the officer he’d been speaking to. There was a crowd gathering behind him now, and that was going to make it a lot harder to get in.

  Miles kept his eyes on the cops who were standing between him and the place he wanted to get to. When another officer came over, joining the one he’d spoken to, he saw his chance.

  Casually he walked toward the spot Blake had gotten through, trying to make it seem like he was just walking around. He was waiting for the right moment. And it presented itself as the cops were switching places. Something was happening inside. All eyes were on the bar. Miles took his chance and slipped around the barrier.