Page 9 of The Grumpy Vet (Vet Shop Boys Down Under #3)

Ryde

The next month passes by in a blur of work and training sessions of both varieties: ones in Linus's carport gym and ones in Linus's bed. We've also fallen into the habit of having long dinners where we spend hours and hours just talking.

Dario and Linus obviously have the most catching up to do since they're new to each other, but the more Linus speaks, the more it hits me how little I know of the guy myself. Apart from what Dad has told me and the little glimpses I've caught here and there at the clinic these past two years, he's done a really good job of keeping to himself.

I never knew he once trained a rescue galah to swear. It ended up being the talk of the town, so the owner of the pub bought it to greet patrons with a G'day and say goodbye to them with a Go fuck yourself.

Or that despite being a vet, he's afraid of emus. One chased him across a paddock when he was ten, trying to peck at him, and it scarred him for life. I can relate to that one. I'm the same with magpies.

Or that his father built the clinic with his own hands. Literally. That's why the place is as small and cramped as it is and why the wiring is all shoddy.

Or that he met my dad when he rented an apartment from him during his vet training days in Sydney. For some reason, I had it in my head that they met through mutual friends. Dad's a few years older than Linus and has always been smart with money. He bought his first house one year after finishing high school, after saving up all his earnings from working at Maccas, which was enough for a deposit back then. Nowadays, you can't even afford rent on a part-time wage in the city.

Linus tensed up a little during that convo, and I can't say I blame him. We've managed to stay well clear of any Dad-related topics because, yeah, I see it, what we're doing is very un-Dad-friendly material. Dad is a pretty laid-back guy, but I don't know how he'd react to finding out we've been fucking.

Well, not literally, since we haven't gotten that far yet. Sex-wise, it's still blowjobs and make-out sessions. I can't tell which Linus loves more, but there's something about Dario and me making out in front of him that really revs his engine.

I think I'm ready to go further, though. The sexual attraction between the three of us is only growing stronger. I've never wanted Linus more, and the way I feel about and see Dario is changing, too.

I guess that's to be expected since we're doing things we've never done together before.

Like putting on make-out shows that drive Linus wild.

Like sharing Linus's cock, passing it from mouth to mouth until we get rewarded with a waterfall of cum.

Like sharing Linus's load between us until it disappears.

Of course I'm going to start thinking of him differently. That's only natural. I'm glad that it's not affecting our friendship in any negative way. Dario seems to be just as cool with things as I am. The three of us are living in our own little bubble, and l couldn't be more pleased.

"So what's going on with you?"

Wilby asks before stuffing an oversized piece of meat pie into his mouth.

"Ishh been agesh shince we lashh talked."

I've seen wombats feasting on grass, leaving half-chewed plant bits around their burrows, and it's still not as gross as watching Wilby Linfox eating. It's just him and me in the staff lounge at the moment. Linus is in back-to-back consults, and Fitz and Muir are out for the day doing farm visits and shooting #couplegoals TikTok videos.

I pick a piece of crust off my sandwich.

"Oh, you know, not much. Just work and hanging out with Dario."

He eyes me over the top of his meat pie.

"Heard you guys are working out at Linus's gym."

"We are."

"How's that going?"

Why do I suddenly feel like I'm being interrogated? Oh, that's right. Because this is Wilby who loves to gossip almost as much as he loves Col and monthly karaoke at the pub.

I have to be careful. No one at the clinic has caught on to the fact that there's anything more going on than Dario and me working out in Linus's gym. We told them about the training sessions since Dario is losing weight, and we wanted to let them know before they inevitably asked what he was doing to get into shape. We didn't want it to come later and seem like we were hiding something because then that might arouse suspicion.

But that's all they know. And as far as they're aware, the training sessions might be taking place at Linus's gym, but he's not part of them.

I wipe a few stray crumbs off my shirt.

"Yeah, great. Dario's super happy with the progress he's making. Turns out I could have a second career as a PT if I wanted."

"Uh-huh."

Wilby finishes chewing then his customary cocky grin makes an appearance.

"And Linus?"

I shift in my seat and school my features into my most neutral expression.

"What about Linus?"

"How is he?"

"Fine."

"Anything to report on that front?"

"On what front?"

"The Linus front."

"Why would there be anything to report?"

Shiiit. I walked right into that one, didn't I?

Wilby licks the ketchup off his fingertips, taking all the time in the world, his cocky grin morphing into an even cockier smirk. Schlp, schlp, schlp.

My knee starts bouncing under the table, and I glance towards the doorway, silently praying for Linus to emerge and save me.

"I heard a rumour."

My stomach starts to churn, but I feign ignorance. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

He locks his eyes on mine.

"Is there any three-way action happening you want to fill me in on?"

What.

The.

Fuuuuuck?

Play it cool, Ryde. This could be a trap. Don't walk into it.

"What are you talking about?"

"Mate, come on. You don't have to hide it. It's pretty obvious what's going on."

I must look confused, possibly constipated, because Wilby explains, "Dario isn't the only one you're training, is he? Linus is looking beefier than ever. Plus he's in the best mood I've seen him in for a long time. I caught him smiling not once, but twice today. That's unheard of."

He produces one of Mrs. Mangle's delectable chocolate éclairs from a white paper bag and adds, with his mouth full, "Maybe the rumours are true. Maybe exercise is good for you."

I sag in relief.

"Okay. Busted. Yes, I'm training Linus as well."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

I shrug.

"I don't know. It's not that big of a deal."

"I suppose. I mean, if you guys were fucking, that would be newsworthy."

He chuckles to himself then stops and pins me with a hopeful look.

"Don't suppose you've had any luck on that front? And before you try and deny it, let me save you from embarrassing yourself. You may think you're a great actor, but you're not fooling anyone. We've all known for years that you have a massive boner for Linus. Don't stress about it. It's cool. Just know that we're here for you, okay? If you need a wingman, or three, Muir, Fitz, and I have got you covered. Okay?"

Just when I think I can't get any more stunned…I get more stunned.

All this time I thought I was being discreet about my crush on Linus. Granted, getting shitfaced and needing Linus to rescue me isn't exactly low-key behaviour, but how did they know why I was getting so wasted? I thought I was managing to check Linus out without anyone clocking me, but, based on what Wilby's just informed me, I guess I wasn't.

"Okay. Thanks?" I manage.

Wilby, completely oblivious to how near he got to the actual truth, demolishes the rest of his éclair in two giant bites, downs the rest of his chocolate milkshake, then lifts his head to the ceiling and lets rip with a massively loud belch.

"All right. I gotta go. Remember what I said."

He backs out of the lounge, points to himself, mouths "WINGMAN,"

then gives a double thumbs up before disappearing.

The second he's gone, I slump in my chair, processing how everyone knows about my crush on Linus. And that they've known the entire time I've worked here. Ugh, this is so embarrassing.

On the other hand… I perk up a little. If everyone still thinks I have a crush on him and haven't acted on it, then it's kind of the perfect cover for what we actually are doing.

Linus

"So while I'm mortified that everyone knows I've had a crush on you for ages, at least it helps us keep this under wraps,"

Ryde says, keeping a watchful eye over me.

I struggle to finish another punishing set—we may have joked about Ryde being a tough master, but he really is living up to it—and drop the dumbbells onto the rubber floor.

"And by this you mean…"

Ryde smiles, looking all sexy in his black PT getup. He's really enjoying taking control, and I can't help but wonder if he enjoys taking control in other areas as well.

"You being cheeky?"

he asks, folding his arms across his chest.

"No, sir."

"Good. Otherwise you'd be in trouble."

"What's this about trouble?"

Dario pants from the treadmill.

"And how can I get in on it?"

I chuckle. God, I love spending time with these guys. Yes, I really like all the sex stuff we're doing, but it's moments like these, when it's just the three of us chatting and having a good time, that are my favourite thing. It feels so easy, and I'm more relaxed than I've been in a very long time. The awkward sexual tension between Ryde and me has vanished, and there's a nice energy humming between Dario and me. And Dario and Ryde. Well, between all three of us, really.

Ryde switches us around, guiding Dario through a set of barbell lifts as I jog lightly on the treadmill, watching them.

I can't deny that an initial part of my attraction was sexual, that something about the two of them together unlocked a voyeuristic side of me I never knew existed. Whether it's seeing them around the clinic, or working out in front of me, or on their knees worshipping my cock, the visual of the two of them together drives me wild.

But over the past few weeks, the sexual and physical attraction has slowly been morphing into something else, taking shape in a new and very unexpected way.

I've been closed off to anything happening between Ryde and myself for so long, but ever since Dario entered the picture and we started doing stuff, it's made me wonder if there is a possibility for us.

And by us, I mean the three of us.

Because as much as I'm interested in Ryde, I can't deny that I'm equally as interested in Dario. Which elevates an already complicated situation into a whole new stratosphere of complicatedness.

I've been doing my best not to go there, not to overthink and imagine what a future with these guys might look like. Why torture myself? Not only is Ryde completely off limits, the three of us becoming a throuple is about as likely as Wilby learning how to eat food like an actual human.

Mucking around and having fun the way we have been is one thing, but a committed, long-term relationship is something else entirely. Just because we're good with this arrangement doesn't automatically mean we'd be able to transition to the other.

But, fuck, I wish we could.

For the first time in my life, and against my better judgement, I'm picturing a future where I have someone to share my life with, someone to come home to at the end of the day, someone to unwind with and share any problem or burdens I'm dealing with. These guys already make me feel better than I have in years, and we haven't even scratched the surface of where our relationship could go.

And here I am, doing it again. Being silly and unrealistic. I need to stay focused on what this is. A casual, fun, hookup situation. Nothing more.

We end the training session with some cooldown stretches, which is a lovely segue into our next training session for the evening.

"Since we're all so sweaty, should we have a shower?"

I suggest.

"Oh, definitely,"

Dario answers, a knowing smile springing to his lips.

"And because I'm such a conscientious environmentalist, might I suggest we shower together? You know, to conserve water and shit."

Ryde chuckles.

"That sounds like a great idea."

We hightail it back to the house, not even bothering to shut the roller door. We've blown each other in the carport, on my back deck, in the kitchen, the living room, the hallway, and in my bedroom, but never in the shower.

I'm excited. I tear into the small bathroom and turn the water on, the warm spritz quickly fogging up the room.

"You two, naked. Now," I bark.

Not even thinking.

Until Dario clears his throat.

"I… I can't."

I spin around to see Dario looking uncharacteristically shy. Uncomfortable, even. His head is bowed, his shoulders hunched up. I meet Ryde's concerned gaze and shake my head. I'm such an idiot. I'd gotten so caught up in the moment, I'd forgotten about Dario not feeling good about his body. Maybe that's the reason we've never hooked up in here before. Why he's kept his shirt on all the times we've done stuff.

"I'm sorry, guys,"

he says, staying focused on the tiles.

"I wasn't thinking with my big head when I suggested this in the carport. It means I'd have to…"

He tugs at the hem of his T-shirt.

"Take this off. And I can't."

I turn the water off sharply and wipe my arm on a towel. Then I step in front of him and gently tilt his chin until his eyes meet mine. Usually sparkling with a carefree mischief, they've clouded over with shame, and it pinches my chest.

"You have nothing to apologise for."

"That's right."

Ryde places his hand on Dario's shoulder, offering a sympathetic smile.

"We all just got caught up in the moment. No one meant to make you uncomfortable."

"I know,"

Dario says, turning to his best friend. "It's…me."

"And that's okay,"

I tell him.

"We can go into the bedroom. Or maybe we should take a beat? Have some food. Go outside and talk, or whatever,"

I add, since the mood has shifted.

"No."

Dario squeezes his eyes shut and huffs out a deep breath. Then a few more.

"I need to get over this."

And with that, he opens his eyes, swipes his shirt off in one swift motion, and grabs his belly.

"Linus, I'd like you to meet Blug Blug."

I raise a brow.

"Blug Blug?"

"Yep. I named him."

He tries for a smile, tries to summon a confidence he doesn't have right now, and my heart aches for him. But pity is probably the last thing he wants or needs, so I angle my head to the side and suggest, "Not Hubba Hubba?"

I'm met with stone cold silence.

This is why I'll never be the funny one. Maybe my attempt at humour didn't land. Maybe it's dumb. Maybe?—

"Or Yumma Yumma?"

We both snap our heads to Ryde.

"Or what about Glubba Glubba?"

Dario snorts.

"Glubba Glubba, really?"

Ryde lifts a shoulder, half smirking. "Why not?"

"Why not indeed."

I step in between them, caressing each of their cheeks.

"We can keep coming up with names, or you can just believe me when I say you're hot, Dario."

With my eyes locked on his, I lower my hand, smoothing it down his neck, across his pecs, down to his hand resting on his stomach. Gently, I lift it off, exposing him.

"You're so fucking hot," I repeat.

He swallows audibly.

Ryde glances at me and winks.

"Really fucking hot,"

he whispers before leaning over to nibble on Dario's ear.

Dario's head falls back on a breathy "Ohhhh"

as my dick turns to concrete at the sexy sight.

I bring my lips to his collarbone.

"You're sexy."

"Beautiful,"

Ryde murmurs before nibbling the shell of his ear.

"Gorgeous,"

I continue as a groan spills out of Dario, like he's melting between us.

There's a pause.

"Fuck, I'm out of words,"

Ryde mutters, straightening up and frowning.

Dario blinks a few times.

"It's all good."

His voice starts out shaky but gets steadier when he says, "I get the point. Thank you. I appreciate it because I know you mean it. You're not just saying it to make me feel better."

The three of us exchange a heated glance, eyes flicking from one to the other and then back again.

And then it's on.

We collide in an excited tangle of hands and mouths, eagerly kissing and tearing off all our clothing. After a few minutes, I gasp for air and take the opportunity to turn the water back on, excited for my chance to christen the shower with my guys.

"Linus! You home?"

a voice calls out.

I freeze. No. It can't be. I slam the fridge shut and rush to the front door.

And yep. There he is.

Oakey.

My best mate in the world.

And the father of the guy currently in my bathroom showering with his best mate while I make dinner for the three of us, famished after our epic shower blowjob session.

Fuuuuuck!