Page 68 of Hell Yes
Xander nodded and squeezed her waist. “And I’m sure he’s got more skeletons in his closet. He’s a manipulator, and a liar, and that’s dangerous.”
Val nodded.
“Meantime, we gotta get our shit ready for our trip to Drumheller,” Gage interrupted. “Let’s do this.”
Xander and Jesse headed off with Gage and most of the crew, while Val stayed behind with Avery and Rochelle. She’d grown close to the women over the past week and considered them friends.
“So, you and Xan and Jesse?” Avery commented as they sat around the kitchen island. “How’s that working out?”
Val’s face reddened but she smiled back at Avery. “I think I’m in love with them.”
Rochelle dropped the pan she was holding, and the loud clatter made Val jump.
“For real? Have you told them?”
Val shook her head. “I don’t think they want to hear that. In fact, once we’re done with catching Simeon, I’m not sure if they’ll want me around.”
“Are you kidding me?” Avery scoffed. “The two of them have it bad. Honey, they haven’t let you out of their sight and trust me, I grew up here. I know them. They’ve fallen just as hard. But don’t expect them to admit it.”
“Avery’s right,” Rochelle added. “But don’t expect flowers and poems. These are bikers. They’ll grunt and throw you over their shoulder to show they care.”
“We’ve been having unprotected sex,” Val blurted out.
It was the first time she’d seen Avery at a loss for words.
“Are you on the pill?” Rochelle asked.
Val shook her head. “I know, I know, it’s crazy. I can’t explain it. I just, it didn’t feel right to me. Not with them.”
“Looks like we may be adding to the Hellion & Hellraiser family again,” Avery teased.
“What if I’m mistaken,” Val admitted. “Jesse told me about the parties. What if they want that? Sex with other people? I don’t want that.”
“You gotta be honest. But be prepared for their answer,” Rochelle replied. “I’ve never known either Jesse or Xander to want monogamy. Then again, I’ve never seen them gaga over a woman either. They might just surprise you. God knows, Nate surprised me.”
“Sonny too,” Avery said with a big smile. “That man is cold as ice with everyone except with me. And we still go to the parties but he only parties with me.”
Val nodded. “I never thought I’d fall in love like this, and not with two men. I feel so full of confidence one moment and then uncertain in the same breadth.”
“Here’s a tip if you really want to see where Xan and Jesse’s heads are at,” Avery replied. “If, after today, they want to cool things, accept it. They’re probably going to freak out and realize how much you mean to them, but they might try to push you away. I know from experience. You gotta let them. If they love you, they’ll realize what dumbasses they are and come back to you. They’ll fight for you.”
Val nodded, understanding. “You’re right. And I need to figure out what’s next for me. With or without Xan and Jesse. I love working at the diner, but I was thinking that I’d like to train to be a nurse. I’d have to go back to school, but I can do it.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Rochelle smiled at her. “Maybe you can help with my delivery? And Avery’s? It would be good training.”
“You’re having the babies here?”
Both women nodded. “With Jesse’s help, as long as there’s no health issues.”
“I’d be honored to be a part of that, thank you.”
Val’s earlier fears receded, and a new hope bloomed inside her.
“Now, let’s get dinner ready,” Rochelle stated as she turned to the fridge. “The guys will want a big meal before they go hunting.”
“How about I do the prep work and you and Avery rest?” Val offered.
“How about we all work together? I need to walk around for a bit,” Rochelle explained. “This boy is kicking up a storm in my belly and my back aches something fierce today. Just when I started to feel better.”