A Bundle of Mannies

by Lorelei M. Hart

  “Thanks.” I left and headed back for the bus. There were still a few hours before the show, and I was set up. The acoustics in the arena were fabulous, and my job for the evening would be easier than the night before when I tried to make them sound their awesome selves in a room that sucked sound into a void, warped it, and then returned it sounding nothing like it began. Fine, not that bad, but it was rough. Tonight would be cake, comparatively, and that meant I had an hour or two to play Monopoly.

  Or ground the boys from their bikes for taking each other’s tests just to see if they could mess with Fleur. If she hadn’t been spot-on accurate about his ease in math, I’d have questioned the entire conversation. Those boys needed to learn a better pastime than confusing their teachers.

  Although it was funny. Not that I’d ever tell them. Nope. I was going to go in there and lay down the law.

  I didn’t lay down the law. I told them to knock it off and then played a game of adults vs. twins in Let it Ride where the boys kicked our butts and all of us laughed and laughed.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Edwin

  We were finally going to stay at a location for a three-day run of the show and were settled in a very nice hotel for the duration. This allowed for a lot of amazing things like laundry service, something we very much needed. I would have been glad to make a Laundromat run, but our first few stops were either too far from such things or, for the most part, did not allow time.

  We arrived midafternoon, in a rainstorm, on the day before the first concert, giving almost everyone an evening off and, if the loud laughter passing our suite door offered any indication, most of the crew was heading out on the town to blow off some steam. The band and the various heads of teams had a meeting going on in Simon’s suite, but once that was over, I was pretty sure the kids and I would be the only ones not out having fun.

  Once the hotel laundry service picked up all the dirty clothes, which was most of the clothes I had and all the twins’—Freddie’s kids of course being picked up from their rooms—I had instructed all my charges to change to their swimsuits for a dip in the indoor pool and stuffed their things in the laundry bag, so no dirty clothes would linger in the room. Only one, JR, tried to insist that hotel hallways were excellent for biking—the result of all our stadium riding no doubt. Yes, I had a bike now, too, delivered at the last venue. But I shut down the notion and pointed out that the pool had a slide, two diving boards, and a bar with a full tropical smoothie menu we could indulge in.

  Within fifteen minutes we were exiting the elevator and pushing through the glass doors into the tropical paradise that surrounded the natural-style pool. I’d learned from the dads that all five had taken lessons but was still very glad for the on-duty lifeguard because the second we entered the pool area, the kids went in five different directions. They tried out the slide and diving boards, sat in the hot tub for a few, and set enough of the floaties and toys in the water that I expected the lifeguard to call enough, but he just smiled and watched. Could have been a nice guy or maybe he knew who they were. Either way, they were having a wonderful time.

  After a while, the boys set up a volleyball net in a “cove” and batted the ball back and forth while their sister splashed around on her own, singing softly and seeming just as happy as they did. I took a seat in a lounge chair and sipped a virgin strawberry daiquiri, figuring to give them another fifteen minutes before I called them out to have a drink of their own and then return to the suite for dinner.

  “Looks relaxing. May I join you?”

  I whisked a towel across my lap to hide what his voice did to me. “Hey, Judson. Meeting over already?” Casual, yes, I sounded completely casual. He probably didn’t even notice the squeak in my voice.

  He dropped into the chair next to mine, long body at relaxed ease and yummier by far than my drink. “Yep. Didn’t take too long.” He reached out. “Can I get a sip of that? I’m parched.” The bartender was already sending the server our way, but I passed him the glass. Well, rather plastic tumbler because no glass by the pool. Several signs reminded anyone who might forget.

  “Sure, enjoy.”

  Judson took a long drink and sighed. “Oh, that’s way better than the beer they were all drinking in the room. Some goofball forgot to order anything soft and by the time the soda waters got up there, we were breaking up.” The server arrived at his side. “Is this a strawberry smoothie?”

  “Virgin strawberry daiquiri, sir,” answered the attentive guy whose shorts were, in my humble opinion, way too tight for a family-friendly poolside.

  “I’ll have the same,” Judson told him then turned his attention back to me. “It might be even better without the rum.”

  I grinned at him and accepted my drink back. “I thought you wanted soft anyway.”

  He shrugged. “During the meeting, but I don’t mind a drink when I’m relaxing. Still, you can’t have one, so it doesn’t seem fair.”

  He had the beverage in just a moment, and we sat side by side watching the five kids frolic like porpoises and generally run themselves out of excess energy. “They are cute, aren’t they?” he mused.

  “Which ones?” I was sure I knew but wanted to tease a little.

  “All of them. But I’ve never seen my kids so well-behaved and happy as this past week or so. I give you all the credit.”

  “No!” I protested then stood up and moved to where Bowie and Jagger were fighting over a dragon-shaped floatie. I bent close and spoke to them then returned to sit down, leaving a more peaceful pair.

  “What did you say?” Judson wore a bemused expression. “Usually I just take away whatever they are fighting over.”

  I winked. “I told them basically that. That sharing is caring. But also that they had to be an example for the other kids of twin cooperation. They take their status as twins very seriously, you know.”

  “You’re so good with them. But you’ve gotta be getting tired. Maybe a night off?”

  I frowned, could feel it because since I’d been with this crew, I didn’t do it much. “No, I’m okay. You go ahead out with Freddie and the others. Aren’t they all going to some huge, famous nightclub?”

  “Most of them are.” He shook his head. “But not Freddie. He and Rich have invited the twins to have a sleepover in their suite tonight. So, you’re free.”

  “Oh, that’s nice. I hope the laundry is back so they have something to wear.”

  He chuckled. “It is. But let me do my dad job and get them ready to go. I’ll return the others to their dads when I bring Jagger and Bowie over.”

  “Then you can go out.”

  “I don’t need another night of loud,” he told me. “I need to preserve my hearing to do my job, and those clubs are banging. But you can go.”

  I shuddered before I could stop myself. “Not a fan.” They reminded me too much of my old, and probably future, job.

  His grin stretched his lips wide. “Then I guess it’s ice cream night. I ordered two gallons and every topping they can find.”

  “Two gallons,” I marveled, way too excited for a sundae party. “What will we do with all of that?”

  “I have some ideas, omega.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Judson

  After my drink, I hightailed it out of the pool area as quickly as I could under the guise of figuring out the laundry situation. I had a date to plan. I’d been teasing when I mentioned the ice cream, the number of items I mentioned so over the top I’d thought he’d see it as such, but then I saw the look in his eyes. He didn’t find it over-the-top at all—or maybe he did, but in either case it had him excited, so I was going to make it happen instead of bursting the bubble of excitement I’d created.

  I passed by our floor, instead going up to the next one, where their sole family suite resided. I had to give it to them, the place was amazing with two sets of bunk beds in an aquarium-themed room as well as a master suite with a small nursery off it. Poor little Sarah was going to get stuck in there,
but I had a feeling Freddie and Rich knew exactly how to make it the best thing in the entire world to get her own room.

  I knocked on their door and was surprised when Rich opened it. I’d assumed he was still working. The man worked too much.

  “Hey, I was wondering if Freddie was around.”

  “He just ran to the store to grab some princess things to adorn the small bedroom with.” He smiled shaking his head slightly. “One might say we spoil her.”

  “One might say she deserves to be spoiled.” He stepped to the side and I walked in, accepting his silent offer. “Thanks.”

  “So what’s up? Freddie said he swapped a night without the kiddos with you, and while I know why we are looking forward to ours, he has had sealed lips about why you want one. And don’t give me that so you can go out with the crew bullshit. That was never you.”

  Busted.

  I walked over and sat on the armchair they had in the sitting area as opposed to the television/movie room. The suite was insanely over-the-top. It was perfect.

  “Fine.” I waited until he sat down. “I know you are going to say history repeats itself and that bullshit, but I like Edwin.”

  “In case you didn’t see me, I embraced my inner JR and rolled my eyes at that lack of information. Of course you do. Everyone can see that.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands. “Tell me the good stuff. All I have so far is the tutor and her green eyes.”

  Wait. What?

  “Now it is your time to tell me more.”

  “The tutor has her eyes on you, but who cares...tell me about the manny.” When did quiet, nerdy Rich get so filled with the gossip bug? I’d need to figure out what to do with Fleur later, but this was my first chance to discuss Edwin with anyone and I was grateful for it.

  “I really like him, and I think he likes me but there are obstacles.” Everything from my lack of a permanent job that paid well to already having kids and an ex to his needing to figure out what he wanted when it came to his dancing career now that he had a little one on the way. It’s not like he could stay a manny and still perform Swan Lake every night.

  “His alpha.”

  “No alpha, and not even the baby before you get on that train, but he is my employee.” Which for some reason felt like the biggest obstacle. Asking someone to trust enough to date when their financial stability was on the line because of it was asking a lot. I’d never have him fired because he didn’t like me or want more with me, but that didn’t make the risk—the trust—any less real from his side.

  “Technically, he is the band’s employee.”

  “Tomato tomahtoh.” Although that did make me feel slightly lighter. “The real obstacle is alone time to get to know one another, which you and Freddie are helping me with, and I owe you big-time.”

  “And big-time you will pay when you have the kids overnight two nights in a row when we hit NYC.” I couldn’t quite tell if he was joking or not. I’d do it. Probably would need a week to recover, but it was worth it for me to try this thing with Edwin. There was just something about him.

  “Really?” I asked to be sure.

  “No.” He chuckled at his own joke. “But one night would be nice. Freddie hates to be away from the kids.”

  “Which is why you travel even though you have a job not great for traveling.” I’d always wondered about that. Being apart sucked but so did trying to do a job that needed a set office from the back of a bus.

  “And he gets it in one. But to be fair, I don’t like being away from Freddie so it works.” Anyone who met them knew that to be true. They were so in love with each other, you got a cavity just being in the same room with them and seeing how they doted on each other.

  “You don’t think it’s a bad idea to date the manny.” I didn’t even pretend it was a question. He didn’t and when levelheaded, by-the-books Rich felt that way, I probably should try to see it that way as well. Of course he also had a gossip side I didn’t know about until that conversation, so maybe I was just trying to prove him right because I liked his answer.

  “Naw.” He waved his hand as if brushing that notion to the side. “It’s better than dating a groupie.”

  “And Iliana enters the room.”

  “You’re worried you’re making the same mistake?”

  “A little bit.” Edwin was nothing like her, and she had been the one to pursue me, so nothing mirrored the relationships—not really. But still—I was in rock and roll even if only on the periphery.

  “Edwin is nothing like her, and he doesn’t seem to care much about the band thing at all.”

  Come to think of it, I wasn’t sure he’d even listened to a rehearsal of theirs.

  “He is here for a job—initially anyways.” He gave me an overly exaggerated wink. “I think he has found a niche here. Fleur said he helped her find the hidden talents in all of the kids.” Yet she made it sound like she had found Jagger’s gifts in math. Not that it mattered or that it was a contest. It still was odd. “She has Brent doing physics of all things, and he is soaring.”

  Which explained the twins sudden excitement over creating catapults.

  “That’s not someone here for the fame or proximity thereof. That’s someone here for the kids. He’s a good one. You should take him someplace nice.”

  “I promised him an ice cream party.” Suddenly second-guessing that choice.

  “Ice cream party?” Freddie interjected, his hands full of plastic shopping bags.

  “I didn’t hear the door.” Rich stood and kissed his alpha on the lips then grabbed a couple of the bags. “Yes. Ice cream party. Not dinner. Ice cream.”

  “Wanna come with me to the store?” I’d already promised, so it would have to do. I could make it sexy—probably—maybe. I could make it yummy at least.

  “I have a better idea—my treat.” Freddie dropped the bags on the coffee table and took out his phone.

  This could be interesting.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Edwin

  When the kids were done swimming, they sat wrapped up in the hotel’s big fluffy towels, drinking their various chosen smoothies and giggling about things only kids could find funny. At times like this I felt like I had the best job in the world. They were all adorable and happy. Sometimes on the bus they got a little bit of cabin fever and drove each other and me crazy. Since I considered it a bit part of my job to see they did not inflict the same torment on the band and crew, it could get a bit intense.

  But overall, they were good kids and as long as they got to ride their bikes or do some other form of physical exercise every day, they held it together pretty well. As they were toying with the fat straws and trying to suck up some last chunks of not quite blended fruit, Freddie appeared in the doorway and clapped his hands. “Who’s ready for a sleepover?”

  Five kids popped up, letting the towels fall to the pool deck as they cheered.

  “Okay, nobody I guess.” He shrugged. “I’ll just go watch three movies in a row with Rich. It was going to be the best blanket fort ever, too.” Before he finished speaking, he was mobbed by damp kids all trying to drag him away.

  I watched them leave and tried to feel abandoned, but it wasn’t working. I had a date—at least I thought it was a date. Was it? As I mulled that over, my phone buzzed and I checked the screen. Waiting for you.

  The kids’ speed in leaping up for their sleepover had nothing on mine as I sprinted for the elevator. He was waiting for me.

  It took me a little longer to get up to the suite, when I realized halfway up that I’d left my phone, shoes, and bag of kid gear by the pool and had to ride back down. I hadn’t been this eager for an evening with a man since I couldn’t remember when. I was going to say never. The alpha who fathered the babe I carried had been such a casual night, especially since it had such an eventful result. All Judson and I had planned was an ice cream sundae. As I watched the numbers above the elevator door get higher, I tried to calm myself and remember
that fact. He’d invited me for ice cream. Maybe we’d watch a little TV and talk for a bit before turning in.

  The lack of children in the suite did not mean a thing.

  The elevator bell dinged and the doors slid open.

  Not a thing.

  As I headed down the hallway, I passed a man pushing an enclosed catering cart. He wore a red-and-white striped shirt and a straw hat that he tipped to me as he rolled on by. Not the hotel uniform for sure. As I slid my keycard into the slot, I glanced back to see the man enter the elevator, guiding his wheeled cart on ahead of him. Just before he disappeared, he gave me the most calculating look.

  What could it mean?

  I pushed the door to our suite open and walked in.

  Walked into an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. The dining room furniture had disappeared to be replaced by a round, marble-topped table and two of those decorative iron chairs you see in places like that. The counter separating the kitchen area from the rest held an array of dishes holding more ice cream toppings than I’d seen in even the biggest ice cream parlors. I approached on tiptoe as if I could disturb the M&Ms or the chopped nuts—three kinds!—or the cookie crumbles—four kinds!—or any of the sauces and fruit combos. Whipped cream, a hot fudge/caramel dispenser, and two humming stainless-steel vats that I thought might be ice cream freezers.

  “What do you think?”

  I spun around to find Judson leaning against the doorway from the living area to his bedroom. “I think we need to go get the kids! This is way too much for us.”

  He approached, prowling toward me like a predator, an effect enhanced by the fact he wore only jeans, no shirt, and bare feet. Sexy, long bare feet. “This is not for them. They get enough treats.” By the time he arrived at my side, I could barely breathe. “This is for you. For us.” He lifted his hand and trailed a single finger down my cheek. “What do you want?”

  I shuddered, lips opening and closing with my inability to make words come out.