Page 39 of Somewhere We Belong

“They should be burned, but I thought she wasn’t supposed to be working,” Colt growled.

“She doesn’t have her sling on either,” I clipped.

“It’s been three weeks,” Atlas said, turning towards us. “She might be able to take it off for a few hours as long as she isn’t lifting anything. It depends how well she is doing at therapy.”

“She shouldn’t be working,” Colt snapped.

“I agree.” I glanced at Colt, wondering where this protectiveness was coming from.

The last few days she had been with us, they hadn’t spoken to each other and I assumed it was because he had opened his big mouth and said something mean. He didn’t look like a man who hated her; he looked hungry for her.

“She’s a grown woman,” Atlas said, studying Colt. “If she feels like she can work, then we have to trust her judgement.”

“We can’t trust her judgment, she climbed on a roof and fell off,” he growled.

“Look, she was trying?—”

“Hey guys!” Jude came in at the perfect time with his best friend, Webber, right behind him.

I looked between Atlas and Colt wondering where this was coming from.

“Hey,” I said, dispelling the tension between them. “Nice to see you, Webber.”

“Hey, Theo.” He grinned at me.

“These are my boyfriends, Atlas and Colt,” I said, seeing Nova pass by us, still oblivious.

“Hey, we’ve met,” he said, shaking Colt’s hand. “But I don’t think we have ever met.”

Webber shook Atlas’ hand.

“I’ve heard about you many times, it’s nice to put a face to a name,” Atlas said, scooting over.

“Same, man.” Webber sat next to him. “Never thought Theo would have two boyfriends, but I can see it works. I might have to get me two boyfriends or maybe one girlfriend and a boyfriend.”

Webber grinned, looking over at Jude who wasn’t even paying attention.

“Three people is the way to go,” Atlas said, as Iris came back with a full tray.

“Hey guys! Here you go,” Iris said, handing out our drinks. “What can I get you?”

“Hey, Izz, we’ll have whatever you have on tap,” Jude said.

“Gotcha. You guys want some appetizers?” She put her drink tray under her arm, looking good as a waitress.

For her first job, I was proud of her.

“Whatcha got, sweetheart?” Webber asked.

I narrowed my eyes at him as Iris gave him a list of appetizers.

“You better watch out, you’ve got training in a few weeks,” Jude said, as Iris left.

Webber started talking about the new team he was playing for. He was traded to the Denver Yetis and it was apparently a whole new team. New owners, new players, coaches and everything. As they talked about hockey, I kept my eye on Nova. She was a busy woman, but she was only carrying things with one arm even if she had to make several trips. She came out of a door with plates of food, walking to us and when we locked eyes, her steps faltered.

“Here ya go, boys,” she said, putting the food on the table.

“Hello, Nova,” I said, as her cheeks turned pink.

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