All Horns and Rattles: The Baxter Boys #5 (The Baxter Boys ~ Rattled)

by Charles, Jane

  My mind can’t even comprehend that kind of money. “So, I guess that means you’ll be my boss one day instead of the other way around.”

  “Actually, I was thinking more of a partnership, if that’s okay with you.”

  I look into his green eyes and heat floods my body. “I think that would be more than okay.”

  “Best night ever,” I whisper into Nina’s ear. I’m curled around her warm, soft body and don’t want to get up.

  “Yes, it was.” She wiggles her ass against my hard cock.

  “Are you trying to turn this into the best morning ever?”

  She rolls over and looks at me. “What do you think?”

  “I’m thinking that I may not ever want to get out of bed.”

  “Well, I need to.” With that she pushes me away and hops out of bed and grabs her robe. “Gotta pee. But, don’t you go anywhere.”

  She’s not the only one, but I’ll wait until she gets back and then duck into the bathroom and hope to hell nobody sees me. Nina promised me last night that her brother wouldn’t care and since I was wanting her so bad and didn’t want the night to end, I let her talk me into coming upstairs. In the light of day, I’m not so certain that was a good idea. Not the being with Nina, but the fact that I may have to face Dylan.

  Then again, if I saw some guy sneaking out of Julia’s room, I wouldn’t care, as long as he was a decent guy and she wanted him there.

  Nina hurries back into the room, tosses her robe and hops into bed.

  “My turn.”

  I grab my pants and then slowly open her door and peek out into the hallway, looking both ways. Nobody is around and maybe they are all asleep so I hurry, do my business, then check the hall again before ducking back into Nina’s room.

  “You’d make a lousy spy.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I don’t want to be one.” I toss my pants and crawl back into bed with her.

  “Do you think Miguel is going to be pissed that you didn’t come home all night?”

  “He’s not going to like it, but we are adults, and as long as we do the walking, talking and dating, he won’t be too hard on me.”

  “Speaking of hard…” she grabs my cock. “Let’s make this the best morning ever.” With that, she pushes me onto my back and straddles me.”

  “You sure are a pretty sight.” I mold my hands around her perfect boobs and pull her down so I can taste her nipples as Nina lifts and takes me inside her body. “Best morning ever.”

  48

  “I’m going to get very lazy if I’m around you much more.” Since I met Tex, I have gotten less active, but in a good way. I’m still driven to work out, work, play on the teams, and get my college education, but it’s not the same push as it was before.

  Maybe it is because I had nobody but myself before. Sure, Miguel was watching out for me, but he couldn’t define my future. I have to do that. But, I’ve also learned that it doesn’t have to be all work and no play. I’m not fighting to survive and get ahead.

  I have a room that is my own again. Dylan isn’t going to kick me out, nor are any of the guys, and I know that in my gut.

  The lilies are on the dresser and their fragrance fills the air with a heavy sweetness making this room feel like home.

  Best yet, Tex just took me to new heights, again. I’ll never be able to get enough of that man, which is why I’m still lying in bed with him when normally I’d be up and moving already.

  “You’re just resting after some vigorous exercise,” he tells me.

  “That is a lot more fun than my normal workout routine. I’ll have to see about making it a regular part of my plan.”

  He chuckles and pulls me close. “I probably should get out of here before everybody else is awake.”

  “They already are.” I have to break it to him. Tex isn’t going to escape without being seen. I think he asked me at least half a dozen times last night if Dylan was going to kill him for sleeping with me.

  “It’s only like nine in the morning.”

  “Since I’ve been here, no matter what time they come in, they don’t sleep the morning away.”

  “You could have warned me.”

  “We aren’t doing anything wrong.” In fact, every single thing about my life right now feels right.

  We aren’t. We love each other and there is nobody else I’d rather be with, in or out of bed. I’m just not real anxious to face Dylan and the roommates just yet. I think those guys are just as protective of Nina as Dylan is, and they’ve only known her a week. They could take issue with me spending the night.

  “I’m hungry,” she grumbles.

  “We can go somewhere and get breakfast.” I glance over to her window. “Do you have a fire escape we can use?”

  She pushes away from me. “Come on. I need coffee.”

  I could use a cup too, but the idea of facing the roommates has me really nervous.

  I get dressed in the clothes I had on last night. The dress shirt and slacks aren’t exactly breakfast attire but I really didn’t think I’d be spending the night. I wanted to, but that hadn’t been the plan when I left Miguel’s to pick up Nina.

  “Well, I guess it’s time to face the music.”

  Nina just rolls her eyes and opens the door.

  As we come downstairs, all of the guys are in the living or dining room, including Dylan, who is glaring at me.

  Shit!

  “Coffee?” Mary asks with a bright smile as she comes from the kitchen. Kelsey follows and goes to Alex and curls up on his lap.

  “Um, sure,” I mumble as Nina skips by me.

  I start to follow and Christian catches my eye. “Sleep well?”

  “Um, yeah.”

  This is so fucking uncomfortable that I just want to slink back upstairs, grab my shoes and go out her window. The two-story drop shouldn’t hurt that bad. I mean, there is still a lot of snow on the ground.

  But, I’m not a coward and need to face this like a man and look at Dylan. “I don’t know if you have rules for your house and I hope you don’t think I was being disrespectful.”

  “I could get all big brother and kick your ass for touching my sister.”

  “Dylan!” Nina warns from the kitchen.

  “But, you’re both adults.”

  “I want you to know that I love her.” Her brother needs to know that what is happening between me and Nina is a hell of a lot more than sex.

  “I know. But, if you hurt her, I will kick your ass.” He ends that statement with a grin, but I don’t doubt that he would find me in a dark alley one day and the outcome would not be pleasant.

  I may be a boxer but I wouldn’t fight back if he thought I wronged Nina in some way. Not that I ever would. “Understood.”

  Mary slides onto the arm of the chair that Dylan is sitting in and he puts an arm around her waist.

  “You know,” she says. “You and Nina should come to the health fair the university is having next month.”

  A fair, like they have in Texas, with Ferris wheels and stuff? But she said health fair, so I’m not sure what all that entails. “Isn’t it a bit cold for that?”

  “Won’t be in March. At least I hope not.” She takes a sip of her coffee.

  Are they wanting to make sure I’m healthy and not spreading a nasty disease to Nina? I’d assure them that I’m not, but that conversation is a bit too personal and uncomfortable to be having with a room full of people. “Why?” I finally ask.

  “Thousands of condoms for the taking. It’s a great time to stock up, especially if you two are going to be hanging out a lot.”

  “Oh my God,” Nina says as she comes out of the kitchen carrying two cups.

  My face feels like I just stepped into hell, which, according to my mother, if she knew, I willingly danced into. “You guys are so not like my family.”

  “I hope that’s a good thing,” Dylan says.

  “Oh, it is,” I assure him as I take the cup from Nina. “My sister, Julia, is going to
love you guys.”

  49

  The tattoo looks so freaking awesome and it’s perfect. For the first time I’m wearing the same length shorts as the other players, and the skull, and most of the rattlesnake are visible on my thigh. Black and grey, just what I wanted. A cactus was added behind the other two items, at the request of Tex, but most of that is hidden by the shorts. What isn’t seen, unless I do actually wear a swimsuit someday, is the bright pink flower of what Tex called the lace cactus. It’s the only color in the tattoo. He wanted something bright because blooming flowers are hope, coming from darkness. As I’m unlikely to ever be in swimwear, nobody else will see that flower except for Tex, and I’m fine with that.

  Getting this tattoo was one of the best things I’ve ever done, and I will pay Dylan back every penny. It feels so good to rock something intimidating on my thigh instead of always trying to make sure the scars I didn’t want to talk about are covered. That artist was the best too. He didn’t ask, but just accepted that I had these burn scars that needed to be covered when they are obviously from a cigarette, or some other round object, and were intentional. After putting the tracing paper on my leg, he drew an oval for the size of the tattoo and then marked every single scar that needed to be hidden. Five days later he showed me the artwork he’d created and then we got started. Three visits were scheduled but it only took two because my scars didn’t turn out to be problematic for saturation, unlike some that can really be hard, from what I’ve been told. My first tattoo, but I’m not so certain it will be my last.

  With a grin, I change back into my sweats and put my jersey, shorts and boots into my bag and head downstairs.

  It’s been five weeks since I moved in with Dylan and things couldn’t be better. Well, they could be since I still only have Saturday night dates with Tex, and sometimes Sunday afternoon, but I still get to see him at the gym. Except, all of that is supervised. Miguel doesn’t like that Tex spends the night on Saturday, but we promised not do that any other night of the week, and Tex can’t stay unless we’ve walked, talked and dated.

  We did discuss getting an apartment so we don’t have to follow Miguel’s antiquated rules, but Tex doesn’t want to leave him, and I don’t want him to either. Miguel hasn’t been the same since his brother died, except he does talk to the rest of his family a lot more and is thinking of going back down for a visit. Plus, I’m finally back with my brother after twelve years and I really don’t want to turn around and move back out. We’re just getting to know one another again and I’ve been able to talk to Noah often too. The only missing piece of our family puzzle is Jade and we’ll have to wait almost two years to find her, when she turns eighteen.

  “Ready for your first game today?” Dylan asks as I come into the kitchen. He’s at the stove cooking pancakes.

  “Yep.” And, I’m really glad that Harper is on my team and won’t be tackling me when we scrimmage.

  “What are you and Tex doing tonight?” Mary asks. “It is date night.” She grins.

  “Probably nothing.” I set on a stool after pouring a cup of coffee. “His sister is visiting for spring break. She got in last night.”

  “That’s right, I forgot,” Mary says. “Have you met her yet?”

  I just shake my head. “I talked to her once on the phone but, other than that, it’s been Facebook comments.” I take a drink of the coffee and relax. “You aren’t on spring break?”

  “Not until next week, which is why we’re having the health fair today.”

  Christian comes in hauling a laundry basket that is nearly overflowing.

  “You really are going?” Dylan asks as he takes pancakes off the griddle and puts them on a plate before pouring more batter.

  “It’s something I’ve gotta do.” He stares at Dylan, then says. “I’ll explain over breakfast.”

  Dylan just shakes his head.

  Something else is going on, but I’m afraid to ask.

  Mary doesn’t say anything but takes a stack of plates into the dining room. I grab the syrup, butter and utensils. Dylan’s also made a bowl full of scrambled eggs and a platter of bacon. We don’t usually all sit down to breakfast, but Dylan has called some kind of meeting.

  “What’s going on?” I ask Mary.

  “Christian needs to talk to everyone,” she whispers.

  The guys start coming downstairs and head into the kitchen. Ryan is carrying a package. “I’ve got the photos done.”

  “Miguel will be so happy.” After Ryan noticed that there were only boxers on the wall, he offered to take pictures of the different teams. He spent hours at Miguel’s to make sure he got a team photo from the youngest basketball players to the male rugby team. Miguel plans on hanging them next to the boxers in the long hall that leads to the gym.

  Alex and Kelsey come out of the kitchen carrying mugs and a pot of coffee. Zach follows with the bacon and scrambled eggs.

  The rest of the guys take a seat and Dylan brings in the pancakes.

  “I’ll just make a plate and head upstairs.” This is their thing and I don’t want to intrude.

  “You live here. This is your family,” Dylan says.

  “Stay,” Christian says with a sigh as he comes in and sits. “I know that I said I never wanted to tour, but I’m leaving on one Monday anyway.” He grabs the platter of pancakes and puts three on his plate and then starts buttering them and then adding syrup before taking a scoop of eggs and two slices of bacon. Everybody else just stares at him. I’m not sure what to do. I’m starving but if nobody else is eating yet, I don’t want to be that one person who does.

  He glances around. “I’m not talking until everybody starts eating.”

  Thank God. With that, everybody starts passing the platters.

  “I just wasn’t sure I wanted to tell you guys the real reason.”

  I glance around the table. What other reason could there be if not to play his music? He’s an awesome saxophone player.

  “I hope to find Scarlet.”

  There is dead silence and I look around the table again. The only thing that I know about Scarlet is that she went to school with everyone else, but when she graduated college last summer, she up and left New York and the last they heard she was headed toward the West Coast. The only reason they know that is because Mia’s mother hired a private investigator, who still hasn’t found Scarlet.

  “We are performing in cities in Washington, Oregon and Nevada,” Christian says as he takes out his phone and messes with it before he passes it to Dylan, who looks, passes it on, until it comes to me. It’s a promotion poster, listing the guys in his band. At the very end is “Christian Succato, looking for Scarlet.”

  “You think she’ll come to you?” Alex asks.

  Christian shrugs. “The posters will be up at the locations and all over social media, so I can only hope.”

  Alex nods. “Not a bad plan.”

  “Unless she went to California,” Sean counters.

  “Could be.” Christian shrugs. “But, I’ve got to give it a shot.”

  “I just hope you bring her home,” Zach says.

  Everyone digs into their meals, and I do too. Whoever this Scarlet is, I hope she’s found.

  “What time is the game?” Sean asks.

  “Ten.”

  “Can’t wait.” Ryan grins.

  I glance up. “You’re going?” Nobody has ever gone to one of my games before. At least not for me.

  “We all are,” Zach says, as if it’s obvious.

  “You really don’t need to.” This is just weird.

  “Um, yeah, we do,” Dylan says. “Well, I know I want to. Missed too much already.”

  I take a bite of bacon and try to swallow it past the lump in my tight throat. Even though I’ve been here five weeks, I’m still getting used to them caring about me. Not just Dylan, but all of them.

  “Then it’s off to the health fair,” Mary smiles.

  Where it will be practically raining condoms, from what I’ve been to
ld.

  “Shit! Shit! Shit!” Julia says as she comes out of her room. The one that belonged to Nina when she lived here.

  “Good thing Miguel isn’t here or you’d be getting a lecture on language.”

  “I’d prefer that over the text I just got from Dad.” Julia waves her phone at me.

  I take it and looked down.

  Dad: Plane just touched down. Mom and I are here for a surprise visit since you didn’t come home and Tennyson isn’t coming home next week. We will be at Miguel’s shortly.

  “What the hell?” I can’t believe they are here.

  “Right?”

  “What are they doing here?” I ask.

  “I think it’s fairly clear.”

  I hand the phone back to her, not liking this surprise visit any more than she does. “Because we didn’t come home?”

  Julia falls back on the couch. “How long are they going to be here?” she whines.

  She has big plans this week. Mainly seeing the city and checking out the different tattoo shops. I had planned on introducing her to Alex this afternoon, hoping he could give her a better idea of where to look. That’s going to be impossible with Mom and Dad here. They’d shit if I took them to a tattoo shop.

  “Hopefully it will only be a day or two. Mom won’t want to leave Eliza, Austin and April for long, though I doubt they are alone. I wonder who Mom and Dad got to babysit.” Not that the three of them are young enough to need a sitter, but our parents aren’t going to leave three teens home alone either.

  “What the hell?” Julia says again as if her entire vacation has been ruined and maybe it has. “Mom’s never flown and the only time she’s ever left Texas is to cross the state line into Oklahoma.”

  “Well, I don’t have time to worry about them now. The game starts in about fifteen and I’m not missing it.”

  She jumps up. “And I’ll finally meet Nina.” She grins.

  “Just don’t embarrass me,” I grumble as I grab the protein drink I made for Nina earlier from the fridge and head for the door.