Kings of Denver - COMPLETE BOX SET 1-4

by Sheridan Anne

  “Screw the math, it’s fucking awesome.”

  “As if you’ve never done that to Bobby?” I ask as we finally reach his truck and drop the back to sit up in the tray.

  “Yeah, I guess,” she says. “He’s overprotective but not nearly as bad as the three of your brothers. Bobby would usually just let me tag along and then drive me home or get in a Taxi with me when he thought I’d had enough.”

  I shake my head at her and give her a wide grin. “Not anymore, sister.”

  We wait a little while longer and eventually the boys come strolling out of the ice rink looking like they own the place, but at least Jax seems to have ditched the hussy. My eyes quickly and greedily travel up and down Jax’s body before he has time to notice and damn, he well and truly has become a man.

  The boys dawdle purposefully slow while Bri and I watch them with unimpressed scowls. “Hurry up, you lazy asses,” Bri calls out, earning herself a smirk from Bobby.

  I sit and watch until they finally make it to Bobby’s truck. We trade places with the boy’s hockey gear and jump out of the back. Not a word is spoken until we’re on our way. “Xander was on fire,” Bobby comments to... well, I don’t actually know who he’s talking to.

  “Yeah, he was,” Jax replies casually.

  “Could be a good choice for Captain next year,” Brianna says.

  Bobby snorts while Jax turns around to face her. “Don’t get ahead of yourself,” he laughs, “It’s only the first game of the season.”

  “Just saying,” she says. “He looked pretty good from where I was sitting.”

  “Why? You interested in the kid?” Bobby questions eyeing his sister through the rear view mirror.

  “Pft, no,” she scoffs then eyes me with a knowing grin, “I have my eye on a much, much bigger prize.”

  “Like who?” Bobby asks.

  “None other than Carter Waters,” she announces proudly.

  Jax turns to me for the quickest moment before he breaks into a laughter that absolutely warms my heart. “You’ve got to be joking right?” he asks Bri, “The guy is the biggest player around.”

  “I know,” she grins.

  “So, you think you’re going to be the one to tame that beast?”

  “Hell yeah,” she announces proudly. “With all the girls he has been with, can you imagine how good he would be in bed.”

  “Ugh, Bri. I don’t want to hear this shit,” Bobby whines as he pulls into the parking lot then turns to face me in the back. “Can you talk some sense into her, please?”

  I hold my hands up in surrender and grin. “Don’t look at me, I’ve already tried,” I tell him. “She knows all about the kind of guy he is, but do you think that changed her mind?”

  “Hell to the no, motherfuckers,” Bri announces. “That man is exactly what this Mumma needs. Now quit whining, you can consider me officially warned,” she adds before opening her door and hopping out. “I’m ready for a good time.”

  Bobby groans as the rest of us pile out of the car. We walk to the door with Bobby and Brianna fighting over her undying love for Carter. Bobby reaches for the door and ushers us all in and I am instantly in love with the place.

  The bar is packed with people who are very clearly Dragon’s fans and who all stand and cheer as Jaxon and Bobby walk through the door. The boys grin and a beer is thrust into both their hands.

  We follow along as the boys lead us to a massive table at the back of the bar and I instantly recognize the rest of the team. They all start saying their hellos when two faces at the table draw my attention. “Hey, you’re Miller and Tank,” I say with a slightly star struck smile.

  “Yeah, hi,” Miller smiles while Tank just nods his head “You’re a fan?” he asks.

  “Sort of,” I say, “I’m…” I look towards Jaxon before thinking better of it. “Nobody, just, yeah, I guess I’m a fan.”

  “Oh, whatever,” Bobby says, already halfway through his first beer. “This is Logan Waters little sister.”

  “Shit, I’d say your more than just a fan,” Miller says as the rest of the boys at the table go quiet and start gawking at me. “I played with Logan for two years before he graduated. He was always talking about his little sister.”

  A warm smile crosses my face thinking about that big goofball. “I hope it was all good things,” I laugh.

  “Mostly,” Miller comments. “He said you were trouble.”

  Jax scoffs at that and finds a seat at the table. “That’d be right,” I groan.

  Miller smiles and then introduces me to his girlfriend, Dani who then pulls Sophie into the mix.

  “Tell me you’re not on a date with Jaxon and falling for his charms?” Sophie says, well on her way to being drunk.

  “No,” I laugh as his eyes instantly piece mine. “He’s just my old neighbour who wouldn’t let me and Bri go out clubbing after the game.”

  “Oh, geez,” Dani laughs, “Sounds a lot like someone else I know,” she says eyeing her boyfriend.

  I laugh along and get pulled down into a chair beside them with Bri on my other side. Drink after drink is shoved into our hands and before I know it, we’re just as drunk as the girls are.

  I feel Jaxon’s eyes on me the whole time, scowling each time I accept a new drink, but I couldn’t care less. I’m having the best time and Jaxon is here at the table rather than searching for the girl he is going to be screwing later.

  Sophie orders a few bottles of tequila and enough shot glasses to go around the table. “We’re playing ‘Never Have I Ever’,” she declares as Tank groans in protest.

  I’ve never heard of the game but by the looks of it, I’m in.

  Catching the look on my face, Brianna leans over and starts to whisper. “It’s simple. A question will be asked and if it applies to you, you take a shot. The person with the bottle asks the question,” she explains. “So really, it’s a good way to find out people’s dirty secrets.”

  “Sounds good,” I laugh as Dani starts filling as many shot glasses as possible with tequila.

  “Ok, me first,” Sophie says with a grin as she grabs the bottle from Dani then makes a show of thinking about her question. “Alright, never have I ever… been arrested?”

  And just like that, the game is started. Pretty much all the boys except for the freshmen grab a glass and down their shots. My mouth hangs open in shock. How the hell could so many of these guys have been arrested? And then I realize it’s most likely for public drunkenness after playing games like this.

  Dani stands next and turns her devilish grin to Sophie. “Never have I ever had a threesome.”

  “Babe,” Miller groans before scowling and grabbing a shot along with Jax, Miller, and Tank but what shocks me is when Brianna leans across the table and grabs a glass making Bobby’s eyes widen in a mix of anger and shock. I turn to her with a raised eyebrow but all she does is shrug her shoulders, proud of her achievements.

  I do my best to ignore the fact that Jax had drunk to that. I had always assumed but still kind of hoped he had some sort of innocence to him. Dani passes the bottle around the table to me and I stand just as the girls had before me. Narrowing my eyes on Jax, in pure curiosity, I ask, “Never have I ever had a foursome.”

  Regret flashes in his eyes before he turns away. He and Tank reach for a shot and throw them back to the delight of the table as the boys start congratulating them. Brianna turns to me and I see the question in her eyes. “I’m fine,” I murmur for only her to hear but we both know it’s a lie. I’m absolutely shattered with how different he’s become.

  With a nod, she takes the bottle from my hands and stands before giving her brother an evil smirk. He groans knowing something embarrassing is coming his way. “Never have I ever gotten drunk at a wedding and screwed my cousin.”

  Bobby’s eyes close in embarrassment and his head hangs as the rest of the table crack up in laughter. Reluctantly he reaches forward and takes his shot.

  The game continues and I’m lucky enough to only
have had to take three shots when it comes to Jax’s turn. He grabs the bottle and stands, eyes firmly on mine with a heavy curiosity within them. “Never have I ever only slept with one person.”

  Keeping my eyes locked on his, I reach forward and take a shot. Welcoming the burn that comes with it. I’m probably the only one at the table who drinks, but I’m too distracted to look. His eyes widen in shock before a mix of guilt and relief take over.

  I rip my eyes away from his but suddenly don’t feel like playing. He takes his seat and passes the bottle. The game continues and I do my best to pretend like I’m enjoying myself, but it’s impossible, especially with the weight of his eyes still on me. Luckily the rest of the group are far too pissed to notice. The rest of the game turns extremely sexual, so lucky for me, I don’t drink anymore.

  The game ends and Sophie demands that she wants to dance. Brianna gets up behind and pulls me along. Getting up, I realize that I’m drunker than I had thought and I put Jax to the back of my mind. I’m here for a good time and I’m not going to let Jax’s question bring me down.

  I follow behind Brianna and move out onto the dance floor. The music blasts and I feel the vibration from the beat deep within my bones. We dance and drink for what feels like hours with both Bobby and Jax scowling at us each with every chance they get.

  Chapter 10

  Jaxon

  I sit at the table watching as Cass dances with the girls and I have no idea what to think. Do I want to go and dance with her, rub my body up against hers and feel the way her body would relax into mine like it used to? Hell yes. Do I? No. I can’t because I am absolutely stumped by her answer.

  How the hell could she have gone three years without sleeping with anyone else? More importantly, why? I mean, I get what chicks are like. Right after a break up, they don’t want to throw themselves back out there. I get it, it’s respectable. But three years without jumping in the sack with anyone? That, I don’t get.

  Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled about her answer, kind of relieved actually, but I just don’t understand it. I mean, she was quick to climb into bed with me last weekend. I just assumed she might have been like that with all guys now. Not that I really want to think about that. Has she been holding out for me? That’s the only thing that makes any kind of sense in my mind right now, but that’s ridiculous, she left me.

  I must admit, her answer did make me feel like shit though. I feel like my answers during this stupid game have hurt her, almost like I was rubbing it in and then to go and find out it’s only me she’s been with. Shit. I wanted to be upfront with her, let her know exactly the kind of man I’ve become.

  Movement catches my eye and I turn my head to find Xander getting up from the table with a strange look on his face. He looks at his watch and then double checks it as if he’s late for something, but what the hell could he be late for when it’s coming up to midnight? “Ah, I have to get going,” he announces to the table.

  Bobby catches my eye and I see the same thoughts running through his mind but honestly, I’m not really in the mood to dig any further. “Alright man,” I say, “See you later.”

  He gives a curt nod and swiftly disappears through the door. He’s probably meeting up with some chick.

  The moment he’s gone, my eyes are back on my girl. Fuck. I mean… shit, I have no idea what the hell she is to me, calling her my girl even though we haven’t been together for so long still feels natural to me. She dances with the girls and from the red flush in her cheeks, I know what she’s going to do before she does it.

  I let out a groan moments before she makes her move, knowing these girls have the eyes of every man in this building. Her hands start to rise and I start my countdown.

  In three.

  Two.

  One.

  Her hands find the hem of Bobby’s hockey jersey and she raises it high over her head and ties it around her slim waist. The look is fucking hot, with her little crop from her pole dancing class and the sheen of sweat that lightly covers her body. Add that to the messed up hair and flush in her cheeks and it reminds me of the Cass that was riding me on Saturday night, but I have to say, it’s not exactly a look I want every dickhead in this place to think about.

  The need to get up there and cover her up shoots through me but I know that isn’t going to go down well. This is just one of those times I have to let it go.

  Two moments later, Brianna loses her jumper, leaving her in a matching crop to Bobby’s dismay, followed by Sophie and Dani who end up in their bras.

  “Fuck,” Miller says with a shake of his head as he takes in his woman dancing in her bra. He gets up and takes a seat beside me. “What’s going on, man?” he asks.

  I give him a sideways glance. “What are you talking about?” I grunt.

  “You’re all torn up over this girl,” he says, “And from the way that drinking game went, you two have history.”

  “A shit load of history,” I admit.

  “Dude, fucking spill already. I’ve known you a while now and have never seen you look at a woman like that. She’s your girl, right?” he says as a group of guys starts approaching the girls.

  “I don’t know man,” I tell him. “She used to be, she was during high school. I would have fucking married her but then she left, no explanation. Nothing. Just left.”

  “And now she’s back,” Miller says.

  “Now she’s back,” I repeat as one of the guys come up behind her and puts his hands around her waist, pulling her into him. He tries to grind into her but she pushes him away.

  “Looks like she isn’t going to be single for long, so you’re going to need to figure your shit out and soon,” Miller says as the guy goes back for round two, this time he pulls her in a little tighter. She turns around and tells him to go away but he doesn’t accept it, just keep trying to grind his dick into her ass.

  My eyes narrow as I watch as he drops his head to her neck and lowers his hold on her waist, moving further and further south. I see red. “Dude, you better intervene,” Miller says but it’s too late, I’m already out of my seat.

  I’m storming across Micky’s with Bobby on my heel and probably the rest of the team, but I’m too furious to look back. The rest of the girls are way too drunk to realize Cass is in trouble which infuriates me more. I see the panic in Cassie’s eyes as she tries to pull the guy off her, prying at his fingers and trying to pull them back, but he sneers and tightens his hold as if he likes it.

  I know Cassie isn’t weak so he must be holding onto her pretty damn tight. What I do know is that if he leaves a mark on her, there’s going to be hell to pay. He starts trying to weasel his fingers under the band of her track pants and I pick up my pace, shouldering past anyone who stands in my way.

  Cass desperately looks around for help and it’s not long before she sees me coming and relief instantly fills her watery eyes. As I grow nearer, I realize there’s something off about this guy, something I can’t lay my finger on, but I don’t like it. I step up in front of Cass and I raise my fist, she sees my intention and ducks down as best she can to keep out of the way.

  The guy notices me at the very last second, but it’s too late, my fist is already flying through the air towards his jaw. His eyes widen in shock as I connect with his face and moments later he’s flying back with the force of my punch, letting go of Cassie’s waist in the process.

  She falls forward and I catch her in my arms. Her body instantly wraps around me and I hold her close. She gasps as she tries to control her breathing, completely and utterly freaked out. “It’s ok, you’re safe,” I whisper. A tear slides down her face and drops onto my shoulder. I pull her back and wipe her face then gently press a kiss to her forehead. “Come on, I think it’s time to go.”

  She nods as the boys come and collect their girls, clearly having the same thought as me.

  Cass grabs a hold of Brianna and I turn to let Bobby know I’m taking them home. He nods and offers to walk with us, after all, our drive
r is now extremely off his face.

  We say our goodbyes and I lead Cass out the door. The girls walk up ahead of us as Bobby and I watch them from behind. We walk in silence as I re-run the night in my head. It was a risky move punching that guy and could get me in serious trouble, not only with the university but with hockey. On the other hand, there was no way I was going to sit back and allow that douche bag to touch Cass, well, any woman in a way that is unwanted. Besides, I have nearly a whole team of guys who can act as witness if needed.

  I’m lost in my head when I finally notice that Bobby has been slurring on about the game and Micky’s. I feel bad for tuning him out, but it’s not like he actually realizes I’m not paying attention, or if he does, he won’t remember come morning. Instead, I focus on the girl’s conversation in front of me.

  Brianna has her arm around Cassie’s waist while Cassie’s has her arm thrown casually over Brianna’s shoulder as they struggle to hold each other up.

  Brianna tugs at Cassie’s waist and I watch in horror as she flinches in pain. My jaw tightens as I struggle to hold myself back from turning around to find that prick and beat the living shit out of him. Bobby must have noticed Cassie’s flinch as he places a hand on my shoulder, keeping me on track.

  “I’m sorry,” Brianna slurs to Cass as they both stumble up the pathway. “I should have been paying attention and now you’re hurt. It’s all my fault,” she wails.

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Cass soothes. “It’s my fault. I allowed myself to get this drunk. I was the one dancing half naked and I’m the one who put myself in that position. At least, that’s what moody back there’s going to say the second you go inside,” she adds as she tries to whisper but fails miserably while hooking her thumb in my direction.

  “God, tell me about it. He really is moody,” Bri agrees. “Kind of like a guard dog. You know, kind of rabid when you need, but still loyal to its owner.”