by Nikki Chase
It’s Ted. With his hand around a woman’s waist. A woman who’s not my mom .
She’s wearing a red dress that’s way too short for the weather, and she’s got a cigarette dangling from her lips, too .
And then, I see something I seldom see: Ted, laughing. In front of everyone—the audience standing on the green grass and the performers on the stage—he slips his hand up and squeezes her breast, making her laugh .
What the hell . . .?
I march toward the two of them, letting Ian’s arm fall off my shoulders. My mind’s a fog. I don’t even know what I’m going to do once I get there, but I can’t just stand here and watch as Ted cheats on my mom with a woman half his age .
Vaguely, I hear Ian call my name. Still, I don’t stop .
I swear I’m going to hurt someone .
Emma
“H ey, where do you think you’re going?” Ian asks as he grabs my arm from behind .
“Let me go,” I say flatly, my voice shaking .
“No.”
“What did you say?” I turn to glare at Ian .
If he thinks it’s a good idea to tell me what to do, he’s wrong. This is not the time to mess with me .
“I said no.” Ian’s calm but unwavering, his body blocking me like a tower of granite .
“You don’t even know what’s going on .”
“Maybe not,” he admits. “But I know that look. I’ve seen it before. You know where I’ve seen it ?”
“No, and I don’t care.” I glance at Ted and the woman. They’re still there. If I lose them because of Ian, I’m going to get really mad .
“I saw that same look in the mirror, when I was about to make a rash decision . . . like when I was about to shoot up.” Ian levels his gaze at me, staring at me with stern eyes. The sky has turned dark and under the yellow light, he appears more dangerous than usual. “I’m talking about drugs, in case I haven’t made myself clear .”
“This has nothing to do with drugs, Ian. Let me go.” I pull on my arm, but Ian won’t budge .
“I don’t know what you’re planning to do, but I can assure you, you’re better off taking a few deep breaths and cooling down before doing it. Better yet, change your mind and don’t do it .”
“You don’t understand. I — ”
“Then help me understand. Tell me what’s going on. Maybe I can help you,” Ian says .
“It’ll be too late. I’m going to lose sight of them,” I say desperately as a group of high school kids joins the crowd and obscures my view of Ted and his mistress .
“It’s not going to be too late. You shouldn’t make any decisions in your current state,” Ian insists .
“What’s going on?” I hear Hudson’s voice as he approaches from behind me .
Ian gives him a look but says nothing .
“It’s my mom,” I say finally. “I need to do something for her .”
“You’re not going to do her any good right now. Believe me,” Ian says. “You need to take a moment to think .”
“There’s a bench over there.” Hudson points at a spot by the temporary metal fence. “Why don’t you take a seat? I’ll get us some drinks .”
“Sounds good.” Ian stares deep into my eyes. “Let’s just talk about it first, okay? We’ll decide what to do after .”
“You’re not going to let me go, are you?” I ask, defeated .
Ian shakes his head .
“Okay.”
* * *
M y hot chocolate has cooled down while I was telling Ian and Hudson about Ted, my mom, and what I tried to do for two years. I take a gulp to finish the drink and place the empty paper cup on the grass .
“Fuck, now I want to go over there and punch the guy myself,” Ian says, his voice full of venom. Anyone who’s the target of such a threat from a guy like Ian should be scared .
Ian’s calm most of the time, but he’s the kind of guy who can obviously do a lot of damage to someone if he wants to .
“Man, I want to punch the guy,” Hudson says. “I don’t even care that the event organizer will probably ban me forever and my band will hate me .”
“Whoa, okay. Let’s simmer down here.” I put my hands behind the two scary, imposing guys sitting on either side of me and rub their backs, hoping to calm them down .
"I need an adult right now, or I might do something rash." Hudson speaks a little too solemnly, considering what he's saying. "Maybe we should go home and talk to Sandy ."
"Hey, I'm a responsible adult," Ian says .
"You were the one who said the thing about going over there and punching the guy." Hudson frowns .
"Yeah, but I'm not actually doing it, am I ?"
"Okay, so, what's your plan, genius?" Hudson asks .
I watch as the two brothers bicker. Despite the circumstances, they're unbelievably adorable when they're like this .
Of course, I'm aware they're two imposing guys who are capable of some serious violence, but I find them seriously endearing right now. They talk as if my problem is now theirs, too .
I can understand them helping one another this way—they're brothers. But I'm just an outsider. A few days ago, they didn't even know I existed .
"Emma, you said when you called your mom, she told you not to come over immediately, right?" Ian asks, ignoring Hudson .
"Yeah. She sounded scared, though, so I've been wondering if I should've gone anyway. And now, I see I should've done that. I should've rushed there and dragged her back here with me." My voice grows louder as anger burns hotter and hotter inside me .
"I think you're doing the right thing," Ian says .
"How so?" Hudson asks just as I open my mouth .
"Look, your mom's probably not stupid, Emma. She's lived with this guy for years. She knows what kind of a person he is," Ian says. "If she sounded scared and asked you not to come, there was probably a good reason for that, right ?"
"I don't know." I sigh. "I know it's wrong to say this . . . But I've been questioning my mom's judgment. I mean, can't she see what a toxic person Ted is? Why does she stay with him ?"
"I can't tell you what’s going on in her mind. You know her better than I do. But I know some fucked-up people, and I know they often stick together for fucked-up reasons." Ian quickly adds, "I'm not calling your mom fucked up, by the way. But this Ted guy obviously is. Fucked-up people tend to drag the people around them into their misery. And, it can be damn hard to leave ."
"That's true. I stick with the twins, even though I don't enjoy their company. I guess I'm kind of fucked up, too," Hudson says .
"No, you're not." I give Hudson a smile. "You just . . . You're just doing what it takes to make it as a musician ."
"I hate to admit this, but she's right," Ian says. "Your relationship with the twins is transactional, but at least you know exactly what you're getting into, and they do, too. And, most importantly, you can leave them if you want to ."
"That's true ."
"Of course, it's true. I'm wiser than you guys give me credit for." Ian cocks a lopsided grin before he turns serious. Looking at me, he says, "It doesn't sound like your mom can leave if she wants to. I'm just guessing, though, based on what you said about her sounding scared on the phone ."
I nod. "You're making me wonder if I did the wrong thing by living with her and Ted for two years. Maybe me working for Ted was another thing keeping her there. Maybe she didn't want me to lose a job ."
"I'm sure she knows you mean her no harm." Hudson rubs my arm .
"I'm not going to lie to you, anything's possible. Like I said, I'm only making guesses," Ian admits. "But what I'm trying to say is, if your mom wants you to delay your visit until the weekend, she probably has a good reason for it ."
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br /> "So you're saying . . . I should do nothing now, even though I've caught Ted in the act." For the umpteenth time, my gaze finds Ted and his friend. The crowd is thick, so I can only catch glimpses of them as people sway to the music .
"Exactly," Ian says. "Nobody knows what he'll do if you confront him now. He could go home and dump his anger on your mom ."
I nod. Ian's actually making a lot of sense .
"Nothing's stopping you from taking some pictures for evidence, though. I can do that for you right now." Hudson grins. "Or, better yet, I can ask that guy with the big-ass camera to do it. I know him. He'll get you lots of HD-quality pictures ."
"Thank you. That would be great." I smile wryly at Hudson then at Ian. "Thanks for the advice and for stopping me from doing something stupid ."
"Any time. My brothers are always around to do the same for me, so it's only right that I pass it on." Ian puts a heavy hand on my head and strokes my hair. "Shall we go home now ?"
* * *
"F eel better?" Sandy takes a seat beside me on the long couch. He hands me a glass of hot chocolate .
"Yeah. Thanks to you guys." I give him a smile and take a sip of the sweet beverage. I hug the mug with my fingers, letting the warmth seep into my flesh .
The living room is dark, the only light coming from the TV, which is playing a re-run of Seinfeld. Nobody’s really paying attention to it, though .
"Are you warm enough now?" Ian asks. "I felt bad for making you ride with me on the bike when it was so cold outside. You should've taken a cab home or something ."
"I'm okay. Really ."
Ian and I got home first on his bike, then Hudson joined us not long after, dropped just outside the house by his bandmates. It wasn't long until Sandy got home, as well .
Apparently, the investors were impressed by the presentation Sandy and Austin had put on, so Fraser and Austin are staying behind for negotiations. We may hear some good news from them before Christmas, which is just around the corner .
Hudson and Ian told the others about my predicament with Ted and Mom now, and they're outraged by what Ted's put us through. Sandy said he came home early because he wasn’t needed for the negotiations, but I get the feeling he would’ve stayed back if it weren’t for me .
For the first time in a long time, I don't feel alone. I'm not fighting on my own; I have people on my side now. And not just any kind of people either. The Archer brothers are intelligent, resourceful men, and it comforts me to know that I have their full support. I feel safe .
I keep telling myself not to get used to this, but it's difficult .
On one hand, I know nothing lasting is going to come out of this. Ian told me himself that they've shared girls before. Well, the fact that none of those girls have stayed in their lives says something. These guys enjoy sharing a girl together for some time before they move on to a new one. I'm not arrogant enough to think I'll be an exception .
On the other hand, I can't help but feel like they actually care about me. Even if this is temporary, it's okay to let myself enjoy this, right? Nothing in life lasts forever anyway. Forcing it will only end with heartbreak .
Mom thought she and Dad were going to last forever—that's why they'd gotten married—and look what happened to them. Dad fooled around with other women before he left us for good, leaving Mom to raise me on her own .
Now, Ted's doing the same to her. Poor Mom .
I'm not going to repeat the same mistakes as them. Sure, the Archer brothers aren't like my dad or my stepdad. But whether they're going to cheat on me or end our relationship amicably, the end result is the same: they're going to move on to other girls eventually .
The difference between Mom and me? I accept that as a fact and I'm prepared for separation to happen .
Still, that doesn't mean I have to live like a nun .
I put the mug of hot chocolate down on the coffee table and lean back on the couch. As Sandy wraps his arm around my shoulders, I let my head fall onto Ian's strong bicep .
As we watch the movie, our bodies mold into one another's. It gets warmer, more comfortable, as we cuddle closer together .
I laugh as Kramer says something particularly funny .
Then, Ian kisses me on the temple. "It's good to hear you laugh. You were quiet the whole ride home ."
"I was ?"
"Yeah." Ian plants another kiss on my cheek .
"You were zoning out a lot when I got home, too. I was worried about you," Sandy says, wrapping his arms around my waist .
"I'm okay now, thanks to you guys," I say .
"That's nice of you to say, sweet cheeks." Ian chuckles, his breath hot on my skin as he gives me another quick peck with his lips. I wish he'd linger .
"Are you talking literally about my cheeks?" I ask, remembering the way he grabbed my ass earlier tonight .
"Of course." Ian laughs. "I haven't had a taste of the other kind of cheeks. Let me take a bite and I'll tell you if those are just as sweet." His lips quirk up into a smirk .
I giggle. But, before I can think of a witty comeback for Ian, my lips part of their own volition, letting a heavy sigh out .
I'm not surprised when Sandy starts nibbling on my ear lobe. I expected it. No, more than that, I wanted it .
As soon as the Archer brothers gathered in the living room, I knew I wanted to continue where Fraser, Sandy, and I left off the other day and see where it takes us .
I wanted this. And now, it’s happening .
Sandy's hot breath tickles me, sending a jolt of pleasure straight to my core. He doesn't say much, but his actions speak loud and clear. He wants me .
Ian traps my face in his hands and makes me face him. Then, he crushes his lips against mine, just like he did at the music festival. This time, though, he's not holding back, and neither am I. We both know we don't have to stop before the finish line right now .
While Ian's tongue sweeps inside my mouth, Sandy slips his hand underneath my shirt and slides it up until he's cupping my breast. He unhooks my bra, then yanks it off, along with my shirt, interrupting my kiss with Ian .
Sandy kisses the valley between my breasts, moving up until he reaches the hardened peak. While Ian grabs the back of my skull, pulling on my hair, Sandy bites on my nipple and twists the other one with his fingers, making me whimper .
"Are you okay?" As Sandy speaks, his lips tease my sensitive nipple. "Do you like it ?"
"Yeah," I moan into Ian's mouth .
"You like it rough, huh?" Sandy asks .
I think I'll like whatever he does to me. That's a mouthful to say, though. And right now, Ian's hot, forceful kiss isn't letting me say much .
A pair of hands touch my knees, and I look down to find Hudson on the floor, kissing the insides of my thighs. I reach my hand down and rest it on his head, ruffling his thick shock of brown hair .
Three brothers kissing me all over. Three brothers giving me their full attention. Three brothers making my pussy tingle like never before .
This isn't going to last forever. But then again, who cares? It feels good now, and that's all that matters. Besides, these guys obviously care about me more than Ted has ever cared about my mom. So, who's to say this is wrong ?
The guys crowd me. They surround me, so close all I can inhale is the scent of musk and man. I'm not thinking anymore. I'm just acting on primal instinct .
Sandy buries his face in my breasts, looking like he's ready to move in and just live there. Hudson undoes my fly and tugs on the waist of my jeans as he moves up my thighs. Ian nibbles on my bottom lip as his hand possessively grabs the back of my neck .
When they lay my head down on Ian's lap, I'm completely naked. Sandy and Hudson are kissing my tits, my thighs, getting dangerously cl
ose to the top of my legs .
I can only writhe and moan, arching my back, throwing my head back like a woman in heat. I stare at the bulge in Ian's jeans. When I look up at him, I realize he's watching me with a smug, knowing smirk .
"I'm hard," Ian says, telling me something I already know. "You're so sexy I'm hard as a fucking stone ."
"Can I—" I moan as Hudson's lips find my wet petals "—see it ?"
"If you see it, you'll have to touch it, too," Ian says, his deep voice dripping with temptation .
That's exactly what I want. I nod, biting my lower lip expectantly as I stare at the thickness tenting out Ian's jeans .
Ian doesn't wait for more encouragement. He unzips and pulls out his cock—his thick, rock-hard cock. It jumps to attention as soon as it's freed. The head, glistening with pre-cum, is less than an inch from my lips .
I'll do better than touch it .
I wrap my hand around the base of Ian's shaft and feel it jump under my fingers. Opening my lips, I suck in a deep breath, then accept him inside my mouth. My jaw opens wide to accommodate his girth .
At the same time, Sandy's biting and sucking the flesh on the side of my breast, probably leaving a purple mark on my skin .
Hudson's driving me crazy as he licks my pussy lips and laps up my juices, but deliberately avoids touching my clit directly. My hips lift off the couch, but he presses me back down until all I can do is wriggle on the cushion and suck Ian harder .
“Hudson, please . . .” I beg, taking my mouth off Ian’s cock for a moment .
“Be patient, beautiful. I’ll make you come, but it won’t be with my mouth.” His breath falls on my pussy as he speaks, his lips teasing my wet folds, making me go wild with desperation. “You taste too good for me not to take my time .”
“Please . . . Please fill me up,” I moan around Ian’s girth .
“I’ll fill you up,” Ian groans. Grabbing the back of my head, he slowly thrusts inside me. I let my jaw slacken, letting him know I’ll take him. I’ll take all of him .