Page 57 of Hat Trick
Nancy and Annie return just before guests start arriving. Thankfully, it's a warm enough fall day that we're hosting the party mostly in the backyard. Before long, the back yard is full of hockey players, WAGs and children. Music plays from an outdoor speaker and the sounds of people happily chatting and laughing makes me happy.
Gabe mans the grill while Luca and Carter entertain the guests. I run gofer, getting everything Gabe needs and keeping an eye on the drinks. Nancy is happily chatting away with some of the wives.
I'm in the fridge, digging out the tomatoes and lettuce from the crisper drawer when a deep, warm voice makes me jump.
"Need any help?" I toe the fridge door shut, arms full of produce, to see Ben, the rookie from the river day. I blush at the memory of him flirting with me but turn to hide my smile.
"Actually, yeah. If you don't mind. Grab a knife and help me slice the tomatoes? I'll do the onions."
"Sure."
We stand shoulder-to-shoulder in tense silence. He may be slicing tomatoes, but I can feel all of his attention on me.
"So, I never got the chance to make it up to you from the river that day..."
I wince. Never in my life have I gotten so much attention, and I'll be honest, I have no idea how to navigate it. Ben's obviously very handsome and fit. His body is stockier and thicker than Carter's but not as big as Gabe's. In another life I would have been giddy at the prospect of going on a date with Ben. I would have been head over heels.
But now...
"That's very sweet of you, but I'm not dating right now. And I wouldn't want to lead you on..."
He nods thoughtfully. "I can respect that. But...if you don't mind me asking...is it one of the guys?"
I bite my lip. I know what we are, but we never really discussed what we were comfortable telling everyone else. My silence sits between us like a live entity.
"I see. How does that work? I mean, I see how they all look at you..."
My silence sits heavier.
"Oh. So, it's not just one of them. Is it two?"
He sets his knife down, turning towards me.
"All three?" He whispers. I peak at his face, but I don't see judgement there, or disgust. Just surprise.
"Want to add a fourth?" He teases, nudging my shoulder with his.
I choke down a laugh and wipe my eyes. The onions are starting to make them water.
"Jesus, Ben. A little forward, don't you think?"
He shrugs and gives me a boyish smile before returning to his tomato. "Can't blame a guy for trying. If things change, you'll let me know?"
I can't help but appreciate his openness and honesty.
"Yeah, Ben. I will."
I wipe away another tear and sniff. Suddenly, Ben's thrown back against the fridge with a grunt and an angry Gabe presses into his throat with his forearm.
"What the fuck did you say to her?" He growls, inches from Ben's face. Ben's easy smile is unaffected.
"Jesus, Gabe! It's the onions! Get your hands off of him!" I shout, smacking his back.
Reluctantly, Gabe backs off and lets Ben breathe.
"Apologize to him! Right now!" I bark, hands on my hips. Gabe's not one to be told what to do, but I put my foot down at unprovoked violence.
Ben simply smiles and shakes his head. "Nah, that's alright. I'm glad to see they're protective of you. It's what I would do if you were mine." The look he gives me pinches at my heart. I like Ben. I don't want to hurt him.
