Page 14 of Big Rucking Disaster (Rucked by You #8)

Chapter Twelve

Johnnie

A xel and Hugo’s wedding wasn’t at all what I expected.

First, the hesitant Hugo was completely absent. When he was told he could kiss the groom, he pulled Axel into a massive bear hug and kissed him until Ed finally tapped Axel on the shoulder and whispered something.

The lead bassist from Grindstone had his hair in dreads and a huge grin on his face as he interrupted the sucking of face.

Axel, after hearing whatever his best man whispered, pressed a kiss to Hugo’s cheek, then turned the two of them to the small crowd gathered.

A cheer went up, which I participated in enthusiastically.

Hugo’s niece and nephews sauntered over to him. His eldest niece and nephew offered hugs, while the younger middle child headed for Axel and clearly demanded a hug.

Hugo’s sister, Leonora, was speaking to her husband when their little girl, Mia, headed for the melee.

Yardley swooped in to save her from being trampled and hoisted her into the air.

She giggled.

Her mother pivoted and smiled. “Thank you.”

Four kids. What an insane brood.

I’d kill for just one. I’d be grateful for just one.

One felt like asking too much, though, in that moment.

Yardley caught my gaze. His smile was wistful.

I nodded, understanding. We were both in our thirties—me early and he later—with no prospects of becoming fathers. Yet we both wanted to be.

Big Mac and Meg, two members of Grindstone, approached Axel. Big Mac held a baby in his arms.

So many kids. Because of my rawness—after having shared my pain with Yardley last week—I was seeing children everywhere.

“You’re holding up well.”

A smooth voice caught my attention, and I pivoted to find a stunning woman watching me. “I’m sorry?”

“Things can get chaotic around the band.” The woman held out her hand. “Pauletta. I’m the manager.”

“Ah, Johnnie. I’m the, uh, friend of the best man.”

If she repped the band, she knew I wasn’t referring to Ed, Axel’s best man.

“You play rugby.”

I cocked my head.

She laughed. “You think I didn’t do background checks on everyone invited?”

Of course she did .

I winced.

Again, she chuckled. “I know revenge when I see it. Clearly, uh, your ex is…”

“Yeah.”

“Well, the fury’s mostly died down. That’s good, given how long stuff like this can last.”

“I’m…what would you say, a B-list celebrity at best?”

“Rugby’s getting to be more popular. You’ve got some talented people in your front office who are doing some top-notch marketing. Personally, I’d love to see Grindstone sing an anthem you guys use for your ads.”

I blinked. “Really?”

She eyed me. “I’m planning to make some calls. I’ll admit it hadn’t occurred to me before, but after having gone down a rabbit hole investigating you, I can see the upside for both the band and your team. No idea if your people will agree.”

“I don’t have any influence over them. I wish I did…”

“That’s okay. No worries.” She appeared very unruffled.

“And you think the band would be interested?”

“If the right opportunity comes along, I’d convince them. In truth, everyone’s intrigued by Hugo’s best friend’s invite. Lots of speculation.”

“Hugo hasn’t said anything?”

“Hugo can be very tight-lipped when he wants to be. We also know when not to pry.” She gazed toward the happy couple and their entourage. “They’re protective of their own. Yardley is in the circle now that Hugo’s fully inside, if you know what I mean.”

“Are you warning me?” Part of me was amused, and part of me was damn wary. This woman looked like she could eat me for breakfast then use my bones to floss her teeth.

“Paulie?” Another attractive person with a shock of red hair approached Pauletta from behind.

My instinct was to gender them, but I tried not to. See? I could learn.

“Mickey, sweetheart.” Pauletta put her arm around the person, and they made a striking couple with the manager’s dark skin and the other person’s paler complexion. “This is Johnnie. Yardley’s…friend.”

Yeah, okay, I’d kind of walked into that one.

“Johnnie, this is my partner, Mickey.”

I extended my hand.

Mickey shook with a tight grip. They smiled. “Are you prepared for a party?”

“Uh…sure.”

Both Axel and Ed had been sober for almost a decade, so no booze or pot tonight. Just good old-fashioned fun .

Mickey chuckled. “You have no idea what you’re in for.”

“Nope. Not a clue.”

When Yardley and I stepped into the house late that night, my feet ached, I was a little woozy from lack of sleep—we’d had an early practice this morning—and on a natural high from just having had so fucking much fun.

“You’re okay with me staying the night?” I could’ve gone home.

My car sat parked in his driveway since we’d gone together in his SUV so as to not take up an extra parking spot at Ed and Thornton’s house—where the celebration had taken place.

Their extensive estate had easily accommodated the band, roadies, partners, and Hugo’s family.

Axel didn’t have any blood relatives—just the members of his band.

“Why didn’t Hugo have more teaching friends?” He’d only brought Yardley and two others. I toed off my shoes since my host hadn’t said anything about me not staying. The twenty-minute drive home felt insurmountable. God, I was exhausted.

“They wanted to keep the gathering intimate.” Yardley bent over to untie his laces, affording me the most awesome view of his ass.

After Hugo had cockblocked us last weekend, we hadn’t started up where we’d left off.

I’d called Roger, who’d looped in Isaiah and Jason, and the four of us gathered for drinks at Jacks to strategize how I’d survive the shitstorm.

In the end, doing nothing had been the answer.

As Pauletta said, things had just…blown over.

Carly wasn’t as hot shit as she thought she was, and even her five-hundred thousand followers weren’t all that sympathetic to her clear attempts to take me down.

My seventy-five thousand followers rallied around me and offered support.

The local media hadn’t even poked their heads above the parapet in interest. Now, if I’d been a Canuck or a Lion, things would’ve been very different. Pro hockey and football were next level. Soccer too.

Pauletta hadn’t been wrong, though, when she suggested rugby was picking up traction in Vancouver and elsewhere in Canada.

“Did you know Grindstone’s manager suggested the band record an anthem for my team?” I hung my suit jacket on the coatrack. The thing was a little worse for wear and would require dry cleaning. Oh well, having toddler Mia’s chocolate-covered fingerprints all over the thing was totally worth it.

That child had zero fear of strangers, and when she decided she really liked my man bun, that had been that. She’d spent about ten minutes trying to pull it free.

I brushed the hair from my eyes now.

God only knew what’d happened to the elastic after she threw it off into the plants in the garden where we’d taken a stroll.

To get some fresh air and to get away from the chaos of the party.

She’s appeared to enjoy herself—in her yellow frilly dress.

“I think that’s an awesome idea.” Yardley rubbed his eyes. “But I don’t know how that would happen.”

“Me either—but I gave her the name of our publicity director. I’m certain she could’ve found it herself, but I wanted to seem like I was helping, you know?”

“Because it’s a great opportunity?” He hung his suit jacket over the back of a kitchen chair. “Okay, I want a shower and then to crawl into bed and sleep for a month.”

“Sounds good. You mind if I use your guest bathroom?”

“Nope. Have at it. And if we’re quick, there should be enough hot water. I keep meaning to get an on-demand system, but it’s never a priority. My downstairs tenant has her own tank, so I never have to worry.”

“I can be quick.” For the first time in a week, I ventured into his personal space. I snagged him around the waist and pulled him close. “Kiss?”

“Thought you’d never ask.”

I cocked my head. “Why didn’t you say something?”

He eyed me. “Hugo railroaded you into coming tonight. I wasn’t going to assume we were on a date. You were being a friend and keeping me company.”

“Sure…”

“Are you ready for displays of affection?”

“I’ve barely figured out I like giving blow jobs.” I tried for a smile.

“I’m not going back into the closet.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

What does that mean? I wanted to ask, but I was afraid to. “Does this mean I’m sleeping in your spare room?”

“It means things are complicated. But I liked being in your arms. I wouldn’t turn that down again.”

I’ll take it. I’ll take whatever I can get. “I think I left my toothbrush here.”

“You did.” He grinned. “And your condoms. You know where the guest bathroom is. Toothbrush is there.”

“And the condoms?”

“My nightstand.” With that, he sauntered away.

Great.

Except… “Hey!”

“Yeah?”

“I don’t have pajamas.”

“Who says you need them?” His disembodied voice carried through the house.

My cock perked up.

Well, okay then.