Authors: Jessa Hawke
We decided to sleep in separate rooms as we all needed a good rest after our exertions. I awoke to the smell of breakfast cooking, and it enticed me to get up and seek out food.
When I entered the dining area, it was empty, so I made my way to the kitchen and it was a hive of activity. Abe and Cal were sat at the big table, drinking coffee, and looking as bedraggled as I felt. Abe’s cook was busy humming and cooking for us all, and apparently the staff, who would be eating the dining area in about an hour.
“Hey, handsome guys, how you all doing?” I greet them.
Abe gets up and hugs me, Cal waves a hand at me and gives me a half smile.
“Morning, Minny, any chance you can stay on a bit longer?” he asks me. “We thought it appropriate if we all get reacquainted, what you think?”
“Wasn’t last night enough for you guys, you’re so greedy?” I state, happy that it isn’t simply going to end as we all go off in our different directions of life. “Sure. My friends had to bully me into coming, so they’ll be glad it all turned out well,” I mumble, while eating on the best pancake I’ve ever eaten. “Abe, other than your ma, this is a fantastic cook you got yourself, what do I call you?” I turn to ask her.
At that moment I realize it’s his aunt, on his mother’s side.
“Aunt Pearl,” I yell, tears coming into my eyes as we hug.
She meant everything warm and safe to me, she was the mother I never had and was always looking out for me and Cal when we were kids.
“I wondered how long before you notice me, little Minny,” she says, in her typically southern drawl.
“Aunt Pearl, you have got to give me recipes. Do you know I cook for a living?” I beg her, knowing she would know all of Abe’s mamma’s recipes.
“Now, you knows they is a family secret?” she says, proudly. “I can only give them to family members, so don’t be a bothering me child.”
With that she scuttled off back to the stove, laughing and humming again while cooking for the staff that would all be arriving soon.
“I have to go get myself cleaned up,” Abe told us, “I also have to eat breakfast with the ranch hands. We use it as a sort of morning meeting, setting out our plans for the day. Pretty boring stuff for you city dwellers.” with that, he pecked me on the cheek and left the room.
I sit next to Cal and he takes a hold of my hand.
“I’m so very happy to be with you two,” he tells me. “Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think this would happen to us all. How do you feel?”
“First of all, I’m shocked that you fancied me, because we always disagreed on everything,” I told him, at which he laughed and informed me it was because he loved to get me all fired up.
“You look your sexiest when you’re all riled up, Minny,” he says, smiling sheepishly.
“Right,” I say, “well, I suppose I forgive you, seeing as I love you anyway, no matter what you do.”
“Do you, Minny? Do you really love me?” he asks, with a sadness in his eyes.
“Hey babes,” I say, putting an arm around his shoulders as I drink my coffee, in the seat next to his. “Why such a sad face?”
“Because all I ever wanted was for us three to be together, and now we are, I don’t want us to part,” he tells me.
“Look at you, fancy clothes, tons of money, you’ve made something of your life, Cal. I always knew that you would. So why would you be living in the past?”
“I miss you guys,” he says, a forced smile on his face “I can’t bear the thought of us all being apart again.
“You always were the soppy one of us,” I tell him. “I was a the tomboy, Abe was always happy chappy, and constantly in and out of trouble at school with me. But, you, you were always the emotional one in our little group.”
“Abe and I have something to ask you,” he says. “But It’ll wait until he’s finished with his work, so go get cleaned up and then come back down to us, okay?”
“If you don’t tell me what it is, I’m going to bully you,” I threaten, now all curious as to what they’ve been planning between them.
“You’re forgetting, I’m bigger than you,” he threatens me right back.
I refuse to speak to him and take my coffee up to my room, totally intrigued as to what they ‘re going to announce.
It’s been nice staying on the ranch, this place always felt like our home, rather than the foster home that Cal and I had to go back to every evening. Since Abe expanded it, it’s a much busier place than it used to be, and all modern, with machinery and computers to run the place. He really has come on well and I feel very proud at what he’s achieved, I must remember to tell him that before I leave.
The thought of leaving gives me a bit of a chill. I like my city life and love my cooking job, but this place makes me feel safe inside, my nirvana, something I never feel in the city where I live. I’ve learned to cope with the hustle and bustle of the city, the fast pace and faceless strangers, and I do miss living somewhere were everyone knows everyone, and people can be trusted. The city can be a dangerous place, but luckily, nothing harmful has happened to me yet. I was burgled once, but I’m glad to say I wasn’t home at the time. They took all my good stuff, but the insurance company replaced everything. I changed all my locks after that and I couldn’t sleep easily for weeks, but it passed.
I wonder what Cal thinks of city life? He must like it, he’s done so well for himself. Only trouble with Cal is, he’s too emotional. It makes me feel bad that I didn’t stay in touch with him, but the last I’d heard, he was in a relationship, even thinking of getting married. The last thing his fiancé would want is an old female friend hanging around. So, I made the decision to leave the contacting, down to him, and he never bothered, so I assumed all was well.
As I go down the stairway, I hear Abe and Cal laughing, in the main living room, so I head that way.
“Hey, guys, glad to find you two enjoying yourselves?” I say, as I step through the huge doorway.
Abe has redesigned this place so everything is huge, doors, windows, porches, the lot, all large.
“I was just thinking, Cal, about why I hadn’t got in touch with you sooner, I thought you were engaged to be married, last I heard?” I try to explain, in my roundabout fashion.
“Yeah, you’re right, but you know me, I just can’t seem to find the right girl,” he replies, a strange grin on his face.
“Well, I’d marry you, Cal, you know I would, but we’d just argue all the time,” I say, jokingly.
“Funny you should say that,” Abe says to me, looking very serious.
“Oh no, something’s happened, hasn’t it? You look as if you’re about to upset me,” I tell him, taking a deep breath and readying myself for the bad news.
“I suppose it depends on how you look at it,” he says. “Look, come and sit down, Minny, Cal and me, we want to ask you something.”
I sit down next to them on the couch, in between the two of them. Cal puts his arm around me and pulls me close. It feels nice.
“Hey, guys what’s the problem, why the serious faces?” I ask questioningly.
“We’ve had a long talk, me and Cal,” Abe informs me, “about our future, ours and yours, Minny.”
I look at him puzzled, what does he mean by my future?
“Okay, guys, what you two up to?” I ask, trying to prize out the truth of what’s going on.
“There’s no simple way to put this, Minny,” Abe begins.
“You got to hear us out,” Cal butts in.
“When I asked you to marry me, I meant it,” Abe finishes.
“I thought you were, you know, not really into women?” I double check with him.
“I told you that I’m only into you. This is sort of a double proposal, Minny. We both want to marry you, but you seem more attracted to me than dim boy here,” at which Cal punches his arm. “So, I’m always happy to oblige my only girl in all the world. What we would like to do is that you and Cal move into the ranch, and the three of us make a family. What do you think?”
I say nothing, I’m shocked, stunned, bowled over. If I wasn’t already sitting down, I’d probably fall over. These two really are full of surprises.
“Wow,” I say back to them both. “I wasn’t expecting that one.”
I look at them and they’re acting like they’re teens all over again, looking all humble and shy.
“I’m speechless right now guys,” I say, unable to find any words. “It’s not that I don’t like the idea, I just need to get my head around it. Why am I marrying you Abe, when you told us both that you’re not into women?”
“I would hope that last night showed you, that I’m certainly into you. Also, I need stability on the ranch, an heir, if you like,” he answers. “You’re the only woman I could bed to be honest. My heart has always been for Cal and you though, and I will guarantee you my love, devotion and anything else you care to have from me.”
I stand up to hug him, he is so sweet and I do truly love him, but can I marry him, given the new revelation.
“Plus, where I will be lacking, most of the time, you will have Cal here, because he adores you and would marry you in an instant,” Abe tells me. “It’s not a marriage of convenience Minny, I really do love you, but, I also need a family for my business.”
“Don’t be putting it like that to her, Abe,” Cal decides to join in. “Abe loves you, but you know that, you don’t need me to tell you. I love you too, and I love Abe, so we’re a bit of a triangle. Do we give it a go, the three of us? I would be taking over the family accounts and on that front, I’m part of the business. You can start to make ranch foods, you can create your own little business. Open up a coffee shop on the ranch, with home cooked food. You and Aunt Pearl would love that. Imagine, she might give you all her family recipes if you marry Abe,” he teases me.
“Hmm, now that bit’s tempting,” I say, smiling. “You know guys, I haven’t got any money to put into such an endeavor. I’m tempted, as would be any decent cook. Selling your own product is a dream, but I can’t fund anything like that.”
“That’s just it, Minny, you don’t have to,” Abe tells me. “You’ll be my wife, all this business will be yours. I’m giving it to you because I trust and love you. Please say you’ll be my wife and let’s make babies, loads of them.”
How could I refuse their strange request. I love them both and have ever since I was a little girl. They mean the whole world to me, and living with them is like a dream come true. Not only do I get to live with the two most handsomest and sexy men I have ever met, but I get my own business too.
What started out as a simply school reunion ended up being a completely new life for me. Would it work, our strange little ménage à trois? Only time will tell, but we are all certainly willing to give it a go.
THE END
Players Gonna Play
Karen looked at the tickets in her hand. She couldn’t believe it; she got the best tickets in the house for a local hockey game that was happening. Karen never thought that she would get to go to something as amazing as this, but lo and behold, she was the correct caller on some radio show a few weeks ago. She won the tickets, and she even had an extra to spare. Karen knew she would take her friend Stephanie for a night together. It was something that they needed to do anyways.
Karen dialed her number, and after a couple of rings, the familiar sound of Stephanie was on the other line.
“Hello? “She asked.
“Hey there girl, it’s Karen. Listen, I have some pretty amazing news,” Karen said. She knew this would pique Stephanie’s interest.
Sure enough, Stephanie paused, taking in a deep breath before speaking to her friend.
“What is it?” she replied.
‘Well, remember when I called that radio show that one time in hopes of maybe getting some tickets to the championship game for the local hockey team? And you thought that I was crazy for doing so? Well, it turns out that I won them! I have two free tickets to a hockey game this Friday, and I would love to take you,” Karen replied. Karen didn’t have anyone else to go with, and she knew that Stephanie liked hockey enough to join her.
There was a slight pause on the other side of the line before Stephanie started to speak.
“That sounds amazing! I would love to go. Do you know when the game is?” she asked.
“Seven that night. I’ll pick you up if you want me to,” Karen said. She loved to help out her friend, especially since Stephanie had been there for her through thick and thin.
There was a pause once again, but then Stephanie spoke.
“That’s good with me. Let’s make it a date!” she said in an enthusiastic manner. Karen chuckled at the excitement seemed to be pouring from her lips as she talked to her friend.
“Awesome! I’ll see you than,” Karen replied. Karen hung up the phone, smiling to herself. She was excited for the game, and she knew that her friend was as well. There was also a feeling of nervousness and excitement too, and Karen knew that whatever this feeling was would reveal itself soon enough.
The game came around like a flash, and for the first time ever Karen felt like she didn’t have to watch the seconds roll by for something big to happen. Karen was ready for that night, and she knew it would be a great one. Karen grabbed her belongings, ready for whatever the night had to offer.
The drive to Stephanie’s house was fast, and soon she was there. When she got there, she knocked on the door, her friend rushing to the door at a face pace. When Stephanie opened up, the two of them looked at one another with a smile.
“You ready to go to the game?” Karen asked.
“Definitely. I can’t wait to see what happens,” Stephanie replied.
They both got into Karen’s car, heading downtown. The drive was fast, and soon they were there. When they got there, they were able to find a killer parking spot by chance, and Karen already knew it was going to be a great night.
They didn’t have to wait in line either. Karen was able to cash in the tickets, and they were led to seats that were right next to the ice. Below them was the bench where the players were, and Karen already felt a surge of excitement.
“Wow, these seats are amazing,” Karen said.
“They are. Wow, I’ve never been this close up. The closest I’ve ever been has been a few rows back,” Stephanie remarked.
Karen agreed; normally she was at the back row or in the nosebleed seats at best. Already, she felt like a celebrity when she was in this VIP area, mainly because she knew that she would get the service she wanted as well.
Sure enough, there were vendors coming to them almost immediately. They served them both each a cup of beer, and Karen sipped it, loving the frothy drink in her mouth. Stephanie was happy as well, and they both sat as they watched the ice get cleaned up. It was only a half hour until game time, and Karen was excited.
“So Karen, have you been looking for anyone special recently? I’m shocked you didn’t ask a guy to go with you,” Stephanie remarked.
Karen shook her head. “Nope. All the guys I keep running into are nothing but losers. I can’t tolerate their bullshit either. I want to find someone real, someone who actually knows what they’re doing and doesn’t have their head up their ass,” Karen remarked.
Karen had terrible luck with men. Since her last relationship, which ended in disaster, Karen attempted to find other men to go out with. She tried online dating, and she even tried a couple of guys based off of recommendations from friends, but none of them seemed to click. It sucked, but that was life.
It wasn’t because of how she looked either. Karen had long, brown hair that cascaded down her body, big blue eyes that radiated when she looked at people, a thin face that looked tempting, and a great body that she worked to keep in shape. Karen was toned, and she had a decent pair of breasts as well. Her butt was plump too, and Stephanie looked at her with envy at times. Karen had the perfect body, but she had a hard time finding guys who could relate to her. Most of them were too busy checking out her ass than to have a meaningful conversation with her.
Stephanie on the other hand, was average at best, but she had a bubbly personality that attracted men like flies. She loved to hang out with guys, but most of them weren’t her type. She wanted a down-to-earth guy who was able to deal with her humor and political incorrectness. Karen liked that about her, especially since most people hated women who spoke their mind instead of shutting up and pretending like they didn’t exist.
“Maybe I’ll find someone soon,” Karen said.
‘Well, who knows you might find someone right around the corner. It happens like that. I dumped Brad because he didn’t seem to understand why I got mad when he tried to cheat on me and I caught him. He was an idiot, but there are other guys out there,” Stephanie remarked.
Karen understood that. Most of the guys she was with had a problem with being faithful too. She wanted to stay single for a while, just so that she didn’t get hurt again.
The game was about to begin, and Stephanie looked at the seat next to her. It was empty, which seemed weird since these were sold-out seats.
“Guess someone got sick?” Karen remarked. She knew that had to be the only reason there wasn’t a person sitting next to them.
Before the game started though, a hunky man appeared. He had a beer in his hands, but he had a radiant smile. He was staring at Stephanie, who gave him a flirtatious look.
“Excuse me,” he said.
Karen and Stephanie made room for him, and he sat down next to Stephanie. The rouge on Stephanie’s face was obvious, and Karen couldn’t help but smirk at the sight.
“It’s all right. I was wondering when the person next to me would show up,” Stephanie remarked.
“What, did you miss me that badly?” he joked.
Karen liked this guy already. She didn’t find him very attractive, but Stephanie was floored by him.
“Nah, we just wondered when your pretty face would show up,” Stephanie replied. It was obvious that she was flirting with him. Needless to say, the man flirted with her back.
“Well I’m glad I finally get to go to a game where I get to sit next to a pretty girl like you,” the man replied.
Stephanie was on cloud nine, and Karen couldn’t help but smile at her friend. It was kind of cute how Stephanie was flirting with the guy, and she had to admit, she was happy for her friend. What she didn’t really like though, was that she immediately felt like she was a third wheel even though she was the one who invited Stephanie out.
“So what’s your name cutie?” the man asked.
“Stephanie. You?” she replied.
“I’m Patrick. Patrick Henderson. I’m the brother of Cody Henderson,” he said.
Karen looked at him, almost dropping her beer on her lap. This man was the brother of one of the players she had a massive crush on. Normally Karen tried to quell her little fantasies, but this seemed to be something bigger than she ever imagined.
“Wait, really?” Karen said.
“Yep. Cody is my little shithead of a brother. He begged me to come to one of his games. I enjoy them, but normally I stay up in the private box seats. But, Cody insisted that I sit in the front row. He told me it was going to be quite the spectacle tonight,” Patrick replied.
“Wow, that’s amazing,” Stephanie, said.
“Sure is,” Karen remarked. Karen could already feel the knots in her stomach start to twist. She couldn’t believe that she got so lucky. Being next to this guy automatically made her feel like an even more important person than she normally was.
Stephanie and Patrick continued to flirt with one another, and it was obvious that they liked one another. Stephanie found out that Patrick was an accountant, and he was proud of his brother, even though it was a stupid career path. Stephanie turned on her bubbly personality and charm, and it reeled this guy in. Karen tried to hold back the jealousy that started to course through her body. She wished she could at least talk to a hot guy. The only thing next to her was some stairs, which wasn’t something to talk to.
The game started, and Stephanie and Patrick were still talking. Thankfully though, this gave Karen a chance to watch the game to get her mind off of things. Already, their team scored one goal within the first five minutes, all thanks to Cody’s insane offensive strategies. Karen watched the game, almost mesmerized by Cody. But there was another guy that he was working with as well, a guy on the team who immediately got her attention as well.
“Who’s that guy on the team that Cody is talking to?” Karen asked in an innocent voice. S surely Patrick would know who he is.
“That’s Derek. He’s a cool guy. Those two have been best friends for years, and I’m shocked that they’re able to still maintain a great friendship while on the ice,” Patrick replied.
Karen nodded, checking out the two of them. They seemed close, and Karen wondered if there was potentially something more than just a friendship there. She highly doubted it, after all guys weren’t into that sort of thing with other guys. They probably just had a great relationship like how she and Stephanie were. It’s platonic at best.
The game continued, and Karen could still hear Stephanie and Patrick flirting. It was becoming much more awkward, and Karen hoped that the game would be over soon. However, it was only halftime, and Karen could already feel the disdain present on her face when she had to turn to her left. She saw Stephanie and Patrick almost necking at one point, causing Karen to roll her eyes.