Chapter 42: Naughty & Nice: Chapter 42

We’ve been back at school for two weeks, and it’s been pretty quiet in terms of gossip.

Wilder’s teammates, or at least those he’s close to, know what’s going on. I mean, it was pretty obvious when he all but moved out of the team’s house and in with us.

Then he invited Benny and a couple of others over for drinks to watch the semifinal playoff games.

It was a great night with the games streaming on two different screens so they could keep up with the action.

To begin with, I expected Wilder to keep his hands to himself. We hadn’t discussed how we’d act with guests in the house, but from almost the moment they arrived, it became clear that nothing was different for him.

He continued touching and kissing me just as he would if the three of us were home alone, and Hendrix wasn’t any different.

If Wilder’s friends were confused by how our setup was working, then they certainly got a front-row seat to understand it.

They were awesome. Told us not to worry about anyone else and just to live our lives in a way that makes us happy. Having their support meant everything to Wilder, and in turn to me and Hendrix.

And it seems that the Titans are a tight-knit team who look after their own because, since that day, others have both waved and smiled at me from a distance. Others stop and talk when we pass in the hallways.

I feel like I’ve been welcomed into a whole new family. It’s nice.

Speaking of family… Lori and Kian turned up at our front door—as expected—almost as soon as they touched down from their vacation.

While the guys hadn’t filled their sister in on what was happening between us all, I had, and she turned up with the biggest smile on her face and huge hugs for everyone.

As our stand-in mom, she could see the difference in all of us. She knew we were happy and that the dynamic we’d found was working. That’s all she wants. They stayed for two days before they had to return to Chicago for work. They had a fantastic vacation—as did we—but we’ve all agreed that next year, we’re going to be together, whether it be at home or away. It was just too weird being separated.

Hitching my bag higher on my shoulder, I follow the stream of students out of the lecture we just attended.

Wilder has been with the team and Hendrix is in a meeting with his academic advisor.

My plan is to grab a coffee and make a start on the assignment I’ve just received.

I’m barely out of the door when I discover that plan has been shattered.

“Rebel,” Wilder calls.

I search through the crowd in front of me to find him. It’s not hard, seeing as he’s taller and wider than most.

My eyes find his before dropping to the wide smile on his lips and then the very fitted long-sleeved Titans t-shirt he’s wearing.

Warmth spreads through me.

He’s mine. All freaking mine.

And it only gets better when I look back up, because he’s not alone. Standing beside him is Hendrix.

Damn, it should be illegal for two people to look that good.

Suddenly, I’m very aware of the people around me, but mostly the comments of the girls.

“As if Wilder wasn’t hot enough already, there are two of them.”

“Hendrix is a little nerdy, but I’d totally go there.”

Most of them, I agree with. My boys are hot as hell, but there’s another comment that really steals my attention.

“Haven’t you heard? They’re taken.”

“What? Both of them?” another girl asks, sounding disappointed.

“Yep. By the same girl.”

“No.”

“Yep. She’s fucking both of them.”

Bitterness bubbles up. I’m not just fucking them. There is so much more to our relationship than that. But of course the jersey chasers of Trinity Royal only think with their vaginas when it comes to the football players.

“Yep. Fuck knows why she’s so special, though.”

“Her pussy probably isn’t as loose as yours,” the friend deadpans.

“There is nothing wrong with my pussy. Just ask the team; they’ll tell you.”

“My point exactly.”

“Bitch,” she laughs, playfully swatting her friend on the shoulder. “Seriously, though. Do you know who she is?”

“I’ve seen a photo online.”

Online? My heart rate picks up.

I knew this was coming. Honestly, I’m amazed that I haven’t been lynched by the jersey chasers already.

But despite knowing it was inevitable, I’m not ready to deal with the backlash of taking one of their favorite players off the market.

“She really isn’t anything special. We’re both hotter.”

My brows shoot up. Modest and a bitch… well, okay then.

“I thought Wilder had better taste than that.”

“Well, he did turn you down, Lacey.”

Lacey…

My fists curl.

Okay, so it’s not her fault that she was propositioning Wilder over Christmas. But it’s enough to make me not like her.

“How was I to know she’s cast some voodoo spell over him that meant he was only interested in sharing her with his brother?”

“I can’t decide if that’s hot or gross.”

“Hot, definitely hot. But it won’t last. She’s too… average for Wilder. The other one, sure. But not our Wild.”

Finally, the people in front of us disperse and I’m able to move away from the blonde with no panties and her bitchy little friend.

Looking up, I find my boys. My heart yearns to step up to them and claim them as mine publicly, but I’m scared—no, terrified—of what everyone will say. I agreed to this knowing that I was going to be on the receiving end of their jealously, but it seemed okay while I was safely locked inside our house. Now we’re here out in the open, I’m not sure I’m ready or strong enough.

But while turning in the opposite direction and running the hell away is an option, my legs take me to where I belong.

“Noelle, what’s wrong?” Hendrix asks the second I’m close enough for him to read my expression.

“Rebel?” Wilder asks as both of them surround me. It’s the first time we’ve been this blatant in public. But now they’re with me, I don’t second guess it. I can’t. Not when I know they’ll always protect me.

“Nothing. It’s nothing.”

Hendrix takes my hand in his warm one as Wilder’s possessive side takes center stage. His fingers grip my chin and he forces me to look up at him. He studies me closely before guessing, “Someone said something.”

“It was nothing. Just forget it.”

His eyes narrow and his nostrils flare before he scans the people around us, looking for the culprit.

His attention locks on someone, and I can only imagine he’s found her.

The rejected little jersey chaser who can’t cope with being told no.

“You need to ignore them, little rebel. You’re worth a million of them.”

“It’s no big deal. Let’s just go,” I say, attempting to take a step back, putting an end to our three-man show.

“Nah, I refuse to have anyone gossiping about our girl. If they want to talk, then they need to know all the facts.

“I love you, Noelle, and I want this entire campus to know about it.”

Before I can say anything, his lips are on mine and his tongue is in my mouth.

I respond because I’m powerless to do anything else.

There’s a part of me that expects Hendrix to step back, to slip into the shadows. It’s what the old version of him would have done. But Wilder hasn’t been the only one to learn a thing or two about himself recently, and Hendrix is well and truly finding his feet and his confidence. So really, I shouldn’t be surprised when he steps up behind me, letting his strong, hard body warm mine. His hand wraps around my throat, and with his thumb and forefinger, he drags me away from Wilder and turns me to him.

“I love you too, and I’m not ashamed of anything.”

I’m pretty sure the people around us react, but I’m too lost to my boys to hear any of it.

“If they’re going to talk, you may as well give them something good to talk about,” Wilder whispers in my ear. “Now, are you ready for your surprise?” he asks, reminding me that they were both meant to be busy.

“Uh…”

“We lied,” Hendrix offers. “And now we’re taking you out on a date while this lot discuss how fucking awesome your life is.”

Both of them take my hands, and without looking back, we walk away with our heads held high.

Together. Just like we always will be.