Page 8 of Room Twenty-Eight: Her Beautiful Surrender

Cooling off in an ice bath in the locker room, my phone on the stand beside the tub, I ignore the jesting going on around me. The guys on our team are mostly decent men, but some are young, still living out their playboy days, and I don’t care to hear about any of it.

Every time my phone buzzes, my heart beats harder until disappointment kicks in. The last one was my mom back home in Montana, wanting to know when I’m able to visit. She’s lonely now that my dad has passed and the last of my little sisters has moved out and married.

She hasn’t left our small town of Hamilton since her honeymoon forty years ago and refuses to now. I worry that the outside world scares her. The slow and steady lifestyle no longer found in other small towns but somehow lives on in Hamilton is more than she can handle. I go home as often as possible, usually with Major and Diesel in toe because she adores them, as well. We spent two weeks this past summer with her, and she was harassing each of us about finding a woman, wondering when we’d settle down.

It was then that we finally confessed to her that we wouldn’t until we could find someone to share together. She’d been shocked at first but then gave that sweet-as-cherry pie smile of acceptance she’d shown me my entire life and asked if we had any leads or if we needed help. I hadn’t realized how concerned I was that she wouldn’t accept our inclinations until that moment. She’d suspected I was different, needed something more than the typical, but she’d been unsure of what specifically.

As my phone buzzes again, I reach over to grab it, my eyes closed. Finding a group chat with Diesel and Major, I assume it’s one of our parents until I open it because they’re the only ones we do that with.

Unknown: Hi, it’s me.

I sit up in such a rush that water sloshes over the tub’s edge, making a mess on the floor. Major and Diesel come rushing over, towels around their waists as they slide to a stop in front of me while I’m typing.

Colt: Your name, I need to know your name. Please.

I’m not opposed to begging as I wait and add her details to my phone.

Sweet Girl: Asta…

“Classic,” Major groans as he drops down onto a stool.

Major: Kitten, it’s perfect.

Diesel: When can we see you?

“Dude, don’t fuckin’ rush her,” I snap. If she runs, we’re fucked.

“You’re both thinking the same damn thing,” he mutters, sitting on the edge of the tub, ignoring the cold water lapping at his ass.

Sweet Girl: Thank you for last night. It was more than I could have imagined and I’m really glad Diesel left your numbers.

“Shit. You think she feels this, too?” Dies asks, even though he was the one who was confident she was for us.

“No way she doesn’t,” I mutter.

Colt: We want to see you again. Tonight.

There’s a long pause before she answers, and I catch the intensity in Major and Diesel’s faces as we wait, knowing it matches my own.

Sweet Girl: I’m not sure. I have plans with my brother tonight.

Diesel: Cancel ‘em.

“Fuck, don’t pressure her,” I grumble.

She sends an eye roll emoji before following up with a response.

Sweet Girl: I can’t just ditch him for three men I hardly know…

Sweet Girl: Besides, what would he say knowing I’m with three men? God. He’d be so furious.

Major: Kitten, any man worth his salt would only care if you’re happy. Can we see you after you hang with your bro?

The wait is excruciating.

Sweet Girl: It’ll be late…

Diesel: Late works for us.

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