Page 89 of Hell on Wheels
When I finish with my hair, I scrub the rest of my body in a leisurely manner until the water is running cold. I shiver as I exit the enormous stall, toweling off before I wrap my long hair in a heatless curler wand and dry it with my magic. I may not have solved the mystery of our now frenetic lives, but I feel immensely better as I apply my specially formulated Fae lotions and salves. I was surprised they had my specific brands and scent when I first started staying here, but now that I know how Rebel feels… it makes perfect sense.
He’s always been attentive to the point of stalker-ish, but it came from a place of unfulfilled desire.
My lips curve up as I finish my short routine and wrap the short robe on the back of the door nearby. As soon as I open the door to the bedroom, my jaw drops. It’s spotless, spic-and-span from floor to ceiling, and the overhead fixtures are dimmed to make it easier for my light eyes to adjust. Archie is sprawled on my bedwith wet, tousled hair, a deliciously clean scent, and two cups of coffee resting on the nightstand beside him.
“There you are, Wheels. I was worried you were going to drain the fucking bay by the time you were done.”
Rolling my eyes, I stride over to the dresser, pulling out yoga pants and a cropped hoodie. “You know, I have all this,” I gesture at the rolled hair, “to deal with Archer Glaser. You boys simply have to wash, ruffle, and go about your merry way.”
“Being this pretty isnotthat easy,” he says petulantly. “Trust me, you’re not the only one in this family who spends some time in the damn bathroom. Angelo and Damon are a pain in my tightly compacted ass.”
I turn to face him with a wicked smirk and a knowing look in my eyes. “Well, you certainly enjoyed one of them there.”
He groans, leaning his head back on the pillows and the scent of arousal fills the air. “Fuck, yeah, I did. Man, who the hell knew? I sure as fuck didn’t.”
Snorting, I walk over to the hockey god and sit on the edge of the bed. “Archie, they call it a ‘bi-awakening’ because you simply awaken to the fact that you’re attracted to more than one gender. It’s not always something you know from day one or even day six thousand and ten of their lives. Sometimes, it just… happens.”
His expression is full of relief, and I smile fondly. Archie never judged me or Damon growing up, but being raised in the toxic masculinity-filled world of elite athletes, it had to worry him that he might not be accepted after this realization. “That’s good ‘cause I’d never want people to think that I was just playing around like some college kid experimenting for fun.”
Huh. I think he’s trying to tell me he likes my little D, and he needs to know that’s okay.
“Archie…” I reach out and cup his jaw, giving him a gentle smile. “It’s okay if you’re attracted to Damon—or anyone else in our family—if they’re into it. But it’s also completely understandable if there are more feelings than just bro love or randy lust; love doesn’t exist in a vacuum. I hate labels, but this is why there are more colors and shades in the rainbow than the three most people are familiar with. You might be pan or demi… which is something you can explore at your speed.”
His face flushes, and he nods. “If I’m honest…”
I arch a brow, waiting for him to find the words.
“There might be more… feelings.. and… attractions, but I don’t know yet.”
I definitely knew that, but being smug isn’t helpful at this stage in his queer revelation.
Instead, I nod as my thumb strokes his jawline. “Then you have to talk to Damon, and whomever else it involves before anything that could hurt you or them happens. I’m telling you how I feel—which is, if we’re all together, we’re all together. I would never demand you not follow your heart within our bonds.”
Eyes dancing, he tilts his head, playing off the emotion of the moment with a smug look. “Besides, you enjoy the hell out of watching.”
I wrinkle my nose at him. “Don’t make it weird. I enjoy it becauseyou’rehot,they’rehot, and together, it’s just fucking orgasmically sexy, especially if one of the others is touching me, too.”
My big lion grabs me and tumbles me onto his lap, burying his face in my neck with a rumbling growl. “Rogue Olive Kelly, you’re a hell of a woman. No wonder the five of us could find no one who comes even close.”
Aw, now he’s going to make me mushy.
Pretending to be indignant, I swat his shoulder with a frown. “Don’t be ridiculous. You dimwits were fishing in ponds so shallow they could have been spit pools.”
His laugh vibrates from his chest to mine, and when he lifts his head, I get lost in his baby blues. “You know I love you, right? Like, really fucking love you, and I’m tired of not being able to say it. I know it probably scares the shit out of you ‘cause I’m saying it so soon, but…”
I freeze in his grasp, my eyes wide as I swallow hard. He’s not wrong about my reaction, but I don’t know how to quell my panic without hurting him. That phrase is almost impossible for me because of the trauma in my childhood—at least, to form relationships beyond best friends. I’veneversaid it to someone who isn’t Rebel, and that was… not meant in this way. At least, I never thought it was.
“Rogue, stop looking at me like you’re going to poof out of the room. You don’t have to say it back until you’re ready,” Archie says. I flush and he just grins wider. “Look at us being so adult and shit. Who would believe it if we told them?”
A giggle escapes my lips, and my posture relaxes. “It’s pretty weird, huh? The only personlesslikely to do this shit is Reb.”
“I’m less likely to do what?”
Archie and I turn to look at my half-dressed, mouth watering stepbrother clad only in a towel slung around his hips and my laughter fades. Rebel is cut like a diamond and covered in Fae markings that make my stomach flutter differently than anyone else can. The siren call of his Fae blood to mine is intoxicating, and I lick my lips hungrily. “Uh…”
“She’s calling you emotionally unevolved, you dick, and she’s spot on,” Archie shoots back as his hands slide to my hips. “However, we’re not quite on the level of the twins or birdman, either.”
“Nice to know you’re so self-aware,” Reb smirks. “However, just in case you’re too busy examining your belly buttons to remember… it’s practice day for both of you. Might want to get a move on.”