Three Pucking Wedding Dates (Hockey Harems #1)

41. Theo

41

THEO

T he luau wraps up, and the sun sets as people begin to leave one by one. I eye Reid warily. My brother is always so enthusiastic when he’s trying to convince me to come out with him, and then it’s always me cleaning up his mess at the end of the night.

“Come on, Theo, it’ll be fun! Just one night out, what’s the worst that could happen?” he asks, his green eyes sparkling with mischief.

“I don’t know,” I reply hesitantly, my gaze flickering over to Oakley who stands a few feet away, talking to Iris. “You know how these things go. One drink turns into five, and before you know it, we’re all making dumb decisions.”

“Lighten up, brother,” Reid says, clapping me on the back. “We deserve a night of fun after everything we’ve been through lately.” He looks over at Avery and Iris, who are already nodding enthusiastically in agreement.

“Let’s do it!” Iris exclaims, her excitement contagious as she bounces on her toes.

“See, Theo? Even Iris is on board!” Reid adds, pointing to our redheaded sister who grins and nods in agreement. “It’ll be just what we need to blow off some steam.”

I can’t help but feel a twinge of reluctance, knowing that alcohol often loosens tongues. Given that Oakley and I are on good terms again, and given that we’re sleeping together now, along with Reid and Gray…I have no desire to accidentally complicate things even more by telling her how I really feel about her. My feelings for her are too deep, too strong to put into words…when I’m sober, anyway.

“Fine,” I relent finally, straightening my posture. “But I’m not going to drink much. I want to keep a clear head.”

“Deal!” Reid agrees, wrapping an arm around my shoulder in camaraderie. “Trust me, tonight will be unforgettable!”

“Oakley, what do you say?” Reid asks, turning to face her. His eyes are full of mischief, but there’s something genuine in his smile that makes me wonder if he genuinely believes this night out will be good for all of us.

I watch Oakley carefully, noting how she crosses her arms and chews on her bottom lip in contemplation. I can see the hesitation in her eyes, but there’s also a spark there—a longing that can’t be denied.

“Alright,” she finally says with a sigh, her spicy and sassy nature shining through as she narrows her eyes playfully at Reid. “But you better not make me regret this.”

“Never!” Reid exclaims, grinning widely before ushering us all toward the door.

The scene changes as we arrive at the bar, the atmosphere pulsating with energy. Music blares from speakers, and the scent of sweat and spilled alcohol fills my nostrils. As we find a table, I hang back, keeping an eye on Oakley as she slips through the crowd.

My heart races at the sight of her, her long, wavy brown hair bouncing with each step, and her green eyes catching the dim light in a way that seems almost magical. I can’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy when I see her laughing with Avery and Iris, and I clench my fist, willing myself to look away.

“Here you go, Theo,” Gray says, handing me a glass of water. “I know it’s not your usual drink, but tonight’s about staying grounded, right?”

“Thanks,” I murmur, my gaze still fixed on Oakley. The water is cool against my lips, but it does little to quench the fire that’s ignited within me.

The bass of the music reverberates through my chest as I watch Oakley, Avery, and Iris make their way onto the dance floor. Their laughter weaves through the pulsating beats like a siren song, drawing me in despite my reluctance.

“Come on, Oakley!” Iris shouts, grabbing her friend’s hand and leading her to the center of the floor. Avery follows suit, wrapping her arm around Oakley’s waist and swaying to the rhythm.

“Alright, alright,” Oakley relents with a grin, her eyes sparkling. She allows herself to be pulled into their embrace, and soon the three of them are dancing in sync, their bodies moving fluidly to the beat. I admire the sight of them—Oakley’s wavy brown hair cascading down her back, her green eyes alight with mischief and joy; Avery’s sleek blonde locks framing her delicate features; and Iris, her curly red tresses bouncing as she laughs and twirls.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Avery teases, grinding against Oakley playfully. The intimacy of their movements sends a jolt of jealousy coursing through me, and I clench my fist at my side, fighting the urge to intervene.

“Okay, okay,” Oakley giggles, pushing Avery away gently, her cheeks flushed. “Don’t get too carried away, blondie.”

“Can’t help it,” Avery retorts with a wink, and Iris joins in, sidling up to Oakley and swaying with her, their hips brushing against each other as they laugh and sing along to the music.

I sip my water, my gaze never leaving Oakley. She seems so carefree, so alive in this moment, and I can’t help but feel drawn to her, even from across the room. But I can’t bring myself to close the gap between us. Even though Gray doesn’t seem to mind sharing Oakley with me and Reid, for now, I don’t see how this whole situation could possibly end well for the four of us. I can’t stand the thought of losing my brothers. But, I can’t stand the thought of losing her either.

“Damn,” I mutter under my breath, watching as Oakley throws her head back and laughs, her body undulating to the rhythm. The sight of her, so full of life and passion, is magnetic, and I know that no amount of distance or denial will be enough to keep me from wanting her.

But as I stand here, alone on the fringes of the crowd, I can’t help but ask myself: Is it worth the risk? Is it worth tearing apart what little semblance of control I have left, just for the chance to hold her close?

Gray appears beside me, his gaze following mine to where Oakley dances with Avery and Iris. I can see the fondness in his eyes as he watches her, the same longing that gnaws at me from within. It’s a silent admission, an unspoken understanding between us, that we’re both drawn to her like moths to a flame.

“I’m sorry, Gray,” I say quietly, knowing full well that I’m treading on dangerous ground and that our brotherly bond could be threatened by this shared attraction. He glances at me, his warm brown eyes searching my face for a moment before he lets out a resigned sigh.

“Nothing to be sorry about, Theo,” he says, his voice gentle and reassuring. “It’s impossible not to love Oakley.”

My chest tightens at his words. Despite his outward calm, I know this situation strains him just as much as it does me. We share a brotherly connection, but these feelings for Oakley…they threaten to tear us apart.

“Still,” I murmur, my gaze drifting back to Oakley, who’s now laughing in delight as Iris whispers something into her ear. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Neither do I,” Gray replies, his eyes never leaving Oakley either. “But things have a way of working themselves out, right?”

“Maybe,” I concede, taking another sip of my water, my throat suddenly dry. My mind races with questions and doubts, wondering if there’s a resolution to this predicament that won’t leave anyone shattered in the process.

As the music continues to pound around us and the room grows hotter, I feel the weight of my dilemma pressing down on me. There’s no easy answer, no simple solution to untangle the knot of emotions that binds me to Oakley—and Gray and Reid to her as well.

“Let’s just enjoy tonight and worry about the rest later,” Gray suggests, his voice tinged with a note of uncertainty. I nod in agreement, knowing that he’s right—there’s no point in letting our concerns ruin the night for everyone else.

The image of Oakley dancing, her long brown hair shimmering under the pulsating lights, is mesmerizing. Gray and I can’t help but share amused smiles as we watch Reid attempt to join their little group, his dance moves awkward yet endearing.

“Reid’s got some interesting moves, huh?” I quip, chuckling under my breath.

“Interesting is one word for it.” Gray grins, shaking his head in disbelief. “But hey, he’s having fun.”

It’s heartwarming to witness Oakley’s laughter bubbling forth as she dances with her friends, her bright green eyes alight with joy. But amidst the revelry, a pang of longing tightens within my chest, tugging at me until I can no longer ignore it.

I need space. Just a moment to think—to breathe.

“Hey, I’m gonna step outside for a bit,” I tell Gray, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Alright. Take your time, Theo,” he replies, his warm brown eyes filled with understanding.

Pushing through the crowd, I make my way to the exit, feeling the heavy beat of the music vibrating through my body. The cool night air envelops me as I step outside, the sudden silence almost deafening compared to the cacophony within. My breath fogs up in the chilly air as I lean against the brick wall, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions that have consumed me tonight.

Why does this have to be so complicated? Why does Oakley’s happiness both elate and torment me?

The cold air on my skin is a sharp contrast to the heat that radiated inside the bar. I take a deep breath, trying to clear my mind, when I hear the door creak open again.

“Hey, Theo, mind if I join you?” Avery’s sultry voice interrupts my thoughts.

“Uh, sure,” I say, forcing out a half-smile as she leans against the wall beside me.

“Nice night, isn’t it?” she says, her eyes glancing up at the star-filled sky before meeting mine again. “You seemed a bit…distracted in there.”

“Something like that,” I reply, avoiding her gaze and shifting my weight from one foot to another.

Avery moves closer, her body brushing against mine as she reaches for my arm. “You know, we could always find somewhere a little more private to hang out.” Her fingers graze my skin, sending an unwanted shiver down my spine.

“Thanks, but I’m not really interested,” I say, stepping away from her touch. My voice is firm but polite, and I’m hoping she gets the message without feeling rejected.

“Aw, come on, Theo. What’s the harm in having a little fun? You’re too serious all the time,” she persists, moving closer once more. Her hand finds its way to my chest, resting just above my heart.

I gently remove her hand, holding it between us. “Avery, listen. I appreciate the offer, but I’m really not looking for anything right now. Please, let’s just enjoy the night with our friends.”

“Okay, Theo,” she says, her voice sultry and enticing. “How about this? No strings attached. Just two people enjoying each other’s company, no expectations.”

I look into her eyes, searching for any signs that she might not be sincere. But all I see is a fierce determination and a willingness to adapt. I can’t help but admire her resilience.

“Even if I were to agree,” I say, “it wouldn’t be fair to you. There’s…someone else I have feelings for.”

Her eyes narrow slightly, curiosity piqued. “Oh, really?” She leans in closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. “And who might that be?”

“Can’t say,” I respond, avoiding her gaze. My heart races at the thought of revealing the truth to anyone, even someone as seemingly understanding as Avery.

“Secrets, huh?” she teases, a playful smile gracing her lips. “Well, I won’t pry. But if you ever want to take me up on my offer…” She trails off, leaving the possibility hanging in the air between us.

“Thanks for understanding,” I murmur, appreciating her graceful acceptance of my rejection.

“Fair enough,” she concedes with a shrug. But before I can react, she leans in and presses her lips against mine in a quick, unexpected kiss.

“Wha—?” I stammer, taken aback by her boldness.

“Can’t say I didn’t try.” She smirks, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

I watch her saunter back inside the bar, leaving me stunned and speechless. As the door closes behind her, the music and laughter from inside become muffled once more, leaving me alone with the haunting echo of her words and the growing turmoil within.