Page 66 of Ten Hammers

“So… last night was my first time. And Max knew I was a virgin and so…” My voice trails off. I didn’t think this through and all of a sudden, it’s like I’ve had a bucket-full of awkwardness dumped over my head.

“I was jealous as fuck for half a minute because I knew Win was a virgin and that her first time was with Gav and not me and yes, Gunnar, I am a douche and realize that, thanks for not saying it.”

I give him a grateful smile. “So, I’m bringing this up, not because I want you all to do a Winnie’s-open-for-business-now dance of joy, but because I don’t want any bad blood brewing silently. Yes, in order to foster our individual relationships, we need to keep some things private. But at the same time, it is super duper important to me that we air any resentments and concerns when they arise and keep the lines of communication open. Okay?”

I look around at my boys, having another what is my life? moment. This is so fucking surreal.

“Until we figure out how to clone you and each have a Winnie of our own, we’re going to get jealous,” Jack says. “But we’ll get over it. The most important thing is for you to be happy.”

“Even if what makes you happy is having dinner at La Douche Baguette and boning that bonehead,” Gunnar says with a nod at Gavin. Then he stage-whispers. “Even though we all know I’m the better-looking one.”

Gavin rolls his eyes. Except for Gav’s piercings–which I have a whole new appreciation for this morning–and different tats, they’re identical right down to the number of eyelashes they have, I think.

“So everybody’s good?” I ask. I look from face to face. They all nod. “And if at any point you’re not, you’ll tell me?” Again, I look from face to face. Again, they all nod.

And all I can do is trust them. And I can trust them. I don’t doubt that for a second.

Chapter 24

Theo

Back when we were in school, Winnie loved dancing. And I mean, loved dancing. Put on a song with a good beat and her body would begin moving, hips gyrating, sweet glorious God. It was hard not to stare. Hard not to crave her when I was as horny as a teen boy can be, and she filled out her clothes like no other.

And the way she could sway those beloved breasts of hers back and forth like a hypnotist’s watch…

So I’ve never been more excited about anything than I am about our date tonight. And nervous. See, since Winnie agreed to give us a chance, I’ve been going over how to wow her most, how to woo her best. I want my angel to choose me so damn much I ache. And every time I think about what she might want to do most, I see her shaking her hips on the dance floor, head thrown back, smile wide. She was born to twirl in the center of that dance floor, under the spotlight.

Not to mention, dancing is the perfect way to get my hands on her at the start of the night and never let go.

Leo found this club in the city, Rebel, and we booked the three of us a private room. Keeping dates low-key, when the whole damn world knows your face, isn’t easy. But what’s a night out dancing with your twin and best friend? Just a night of innocent fun, as far as everyone there will be concerned. It’ll be loud, dark, and easy to be anonymous in the crowd. But if we get stared at too hard on the dance floor, we can move to the private room and hang out, just the three of us.

I’m outside cutting and measuring plywood when Winnie sidles up, looking like a whole-ass snack. Except for when we catch glimpses of her in those heaven-sent pjs, I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen those shapely bare legs. But her typical job-site overalls are now cut off shorts instead of full-length pants, and damnnnnnn.

Can I drop what I’m doing and pull her across the street and into the pool house for a few minutes of privacy? Is that allowed?

“Hey, Theo,” she says. Is it the sun getting to me or does she say my name differently now? Like she’s tasting something delicious.

“What’s up, Angel?” I ask, flipping the lock switch on my jigsaw before setting it down to give her my full attention. “You’re looking extra beautiful this morning. And no, I’m not telling you anything about my secret project.”

We all agreed we’d do one really big thing for the house that she won’t know about ‘til the very end. Yeah, she said this isn’t going to ever be her dream house and that’s fine. She wants it to be our brainchild and have our fingerprints all over it, and that’s fine, too. But we’re not Us without Win, so we’re each putting a feature she’d love into the house, too.

Not to mention, since she’s going to be giving it away, whoever wins it will want pieces of the wonderful Winnie Wainwright in it.

Her cheeks are pink as she grins at me. “Oh, I don’t want to talk about the reno. I wanted to talk about tonight.”

I pull off my safety goggles and cock an eyebrow. “You’re not canceling on us, are you?”

Now it’s her eyebrow that goes up. “Us?”

Well, fuck a duck. Guess I’m shit at keeping surprises.

“Weeeeelll, Leo and I thought we’d keep the whole sharing-to-get-double-time thing with you going,” I say. “If it’s okay with you, that is.”

“Ohhhh,” she says and my Angel has a devilish gleam in her bright blues.

I feel a smirk tugging at my lips. “That okay with you, then?”

She breathes in deeply and my eyes are drawn to the rise and fall of her breasts. I feel tugging elsewhere.

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