Page 66 of Power Play with My Brother's Irish Friends

Duncan eased back, slowly dropping his arms so Austin could step clear. Confusion chased the concern across his face.

I nodded and motioned him toward the study. “Let’s sit down and talk. I’ll tell you everything.” Well, maybe not everything, but all pertinent information. “Quick, basic facts.” I settled on the chair. I normally would have chosen the couch, but seeing Patrick, Duncan, and Charlie sitting beside me might be too much for Austin before he’d learned all the facts. “I’m in love with all three of them.”

Austin paused in the motion of sitting, blinked slowly at all four of us, then dropped the rest of the way onto the loveseat.

Charlie, Patrick, and Duncan lined up on the couch to my left, the position putting them between me and Austin. Their gazes volley back and forth from me to Austin and back again.

The lemon and leather scent brought a familiar comfort. Behind Austin, the large desk sat bare, but the bookshelves behind it housed all the pictures we’d taken together through the years. We’d split up the photos taken when Mom and Dad were alive, and Austin had interspersed those amid our present memories.

“Look at me, Austin.” I held my hands out by my sides and let him get a good, long look. “I’ve never been happier in my life. What has happened between us,” I motioned at the men on the couch, “is the best thing that could have happened to me.”

Austin remained quiet, his head tipped in a contemplative tilt that shook blond hair over his forehead and shielded his gray eyes.

“I don’t want you to be mad at them. Or at me, if I’m being honest. I understand you’re pissed because you wanted to protect me. But they did nothing wrong.” The urge to stand and try to force him to accept my choices sent rigid coiling sensations along my muscles. “I fell for your friends, your teammates, because they’re loving, loyal, honest men. You should want that kind of love for me, even if it comes from men you tried to scare off by making me off limits.”

“But you really are pregnant?” He said it in a whisper, almost like he was afraid to hear the truth.

“Yes. I’m pregnant. And I don’t regret that either.” When I couldn’t stand it any longer, I leaned forward and took his hand, pressing it between mine. “I fell in love with three amazing men. They did not just sleep with me and take off.”

“We’re in love with her.” Charlie spoke up.

I almost told him to hush, but Austin had to hear all of it, from me and from them. Anyone who looked at Charlie could see the genuineness of his emotions stamped on his face.

Austin leaned forward and dropped his head to his knees. “I’ve made the world’s biggest ass of myself, in front of the whole world.” He gripped the back of his head and rocked even deeper. An instant later, he shot to his feet and crashed to the floor beside me. “I’m sorry. If they’re truly willing to share and to make you happy, then that’s all I need.”

“And raise the babies.” Patrick scooted to the edge of the cushion, looking ready to snatch me up any second.

This was what I’d expected from Austin–what I would have experienced–if I’d told him myself from the beginning. “I’m sorry we hid it from you.”

“I should have seen it coming. I was so wrapped up in my own life.” He shook his head.

“You don’t have to put your love life aside to look out for me. I appreciate your concern, and everything you’ve done through the years, but I’m okay. I’m happy.” I brushed his hair back and tweaked it with a sharp pull. “Are you mad?”

“Of course not.” He snorted. “Seeing you happy is worth everything to me. What made me angry was thinking I’d failed in protecting you, that I’d let members of my own team sneak in and take advantage. I never want to see your heart broken again.”

“Well, they did nothing of the sort.” I put on my best proper accent and leaned down to hug Austin. “Thanks.”

“We’ll never hurt her.” Duncan cracked his knuckles one by one. The menacing sound contradicted the words so thoroughly that even Austin grinned. “We love her too much to let anything hurt her, especially one of us.”

“We intend to make her feel special. Treasured.” Charlie sprang up from the couch and crossed to stand behind me. One hand landed on my shoulder. “Every single day.”

“You’re fucking right you will.” Austin stood and walked around the chair to hug Charlie. He slapped his best friend on the back and moved to hug Patrick, followed by Duncan. “And if you ever do hurt her, I will personally beat your sad carcass within an inch of your life.”

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