Page 9 of Triplets for the Rival MC

I laugh too. “Well, I’m hardly a newbie. I was only ten when I started working in the bar for my father at the Raging Bulls clubhouse. By now, I’m an old hand at it.”

Shelly’s eyebrows raise. “Your dad had you working in that place at ten? I went to the Raging Bulls’ clubhouse once, it’s no place for a child. And there’s no way you should have been working that young.”

I shrug. “Try telling my father that. He said it was the only thing I was good for.”

“Asshole,” Shelly mutters, shaking her head. “I’m glad you got away from him,” she says, squeezing my shoulder comfortingly.

A couple of hours later, the lunchtime rush has died down, and Shelly is officially at the end of her shift. As her replacement arrives to take over, Shelly lets out a weary sigh of relief. “Come on, hon, I think we both deserve a drink after that,” she says, taking off her apron and sitting at the bar.

I consider offering to help more, but they don’t really need me now, not with a whole team. I sit down on the stool beside Shelly and accept the bottle of beer she hands over to me. I’m not a big beer drinker, well, I’m not really a drinker at all, but the couple of sips I have tried in the past, I haven’t enjoyed. However, to my weary, tired surprise, the first sip is refreshing, and I find myself enjoying the taste.

“Okay, as long as I’m not needed anymore,” I reply. I reach into the pocket of my apron to produce the wad of crumpled bills. Food was free for the club members, but most of the guys left generous tips as if it was a real diner. “Here, these are the tips I got today. You can split them among the team,” I say, offering them to Shelly.

Surprised, Shelly pushes my hands back toward me, refusing to take the money. “I wouldn’t dream of it. You earned that, honey.” I hesitate, wanting to refuse, but she insists. “Please, I won’t take no for an answer.”

“Alright, thanks,” I reply, stuffing them into my pocket. It’ll go a long way toward my freedom fund, as I’ve been calling it.

“No, thank you for helping today, you’re a lifesaver. Say, if you’re sticking around, do you want a job? I’m gonna fire the girl who didn’t show up today, that’s the third shift she’s bailed on without notice,” Shelly says, swigging straight from the bottle.

“I’m not planning on being here too long, to be honest, but I’m happy to help while I’m here,” I reply truthfully. I could use some extra cash, and I’ll go crazy sitting around doing nothing here. I’m not used to being idle.

“Well then, you’re hired,” Shelly says with a smile, shaking my hand. “I have a feeling you’re gonna end up staying here longer than you expect, though.”

“What makes you say that?” I ask, tilting my head.

“Because I’ve seen the way those boys look at you, and the way you look at them,” Shelly says with a knowing twinkle in her eyes.

God, is it that obvious that I have the hots for them?

I laugh, deflecting the comment. “Hardly. Hunter is a flirty horndog who is obviously a player, Cyrus is just being kind, and Flint practically hates me. There’s no way they’re looking at me in any type of way other than pityingly.”

Shelly frowns and wags her finger at me. “Now, don’t you go selling yourself short there. I know those boys, I’ve known them a long time, and I know when they’re all crushing on someone.”

“Okay, let’s suspend reality for a second and pretend that I believe you and you’re right, the guys have the hots for me,” I roll my eyes. “Surely that’s all the more reason for me to leave? There are three of them and only one of me.”

“Ah, so you don’t know about Bella, then?” she says, leaning back and folding her arms.

I’m confused but also intrigued. “No, who’s Bella?”

“You didn’t hear it from me,” Shelly says conspiratorially, and I nod, miming zipping my lips. “Bella is the guys’ ex, as in all three of them were dating her. Together, at the same time,” she clarifies.

My mouth pops open in surprise. “How did they find out? How are they still friends after their girlfriend cheated on them all with the others?”

Shelly shakes her head, smiling wickedly. “Oh no, you’re misunderstanding me. There was no cheating involved. They shared her, polyamory it’s called. A relationship with more than two people. All consensual. So, my point is that if those boys are crushing on you, you’d better make it very clear if you’re not looking for a package deal.”

I have to admit, the thought of dating them all has my heart racing and my skin tingling. It’s not something I ever considered as a possibility, but the idea of being with three guys at once is exciting. I’m attracted to all three of them, and I’ll admit the idea of trying to have sex with one of them has crossed my mind more than once. What if I could have all three? It would be the ultimate fuck you to my father, and make sure that Spike no longer wanted me. I’d be spoiled goods in their eyes. I’d be free.

I keep these thoughts to myself. Instead, I ask Shelly, “Do you know why they broke up with Bella?”

Shelly’s shoulders slump, and she looks a little sad. “It was a terrible time. They were so miserable, it almost destroyed their friendship.”

I’m confused as to why Shelly would suggest they’d want to share me if that’s the case. My puzzlement must show on my face as Shelly clarifies.

“It wasn’t that they couldn’t share. The guys are so close, if she’d been the right person, I think it would have worked. But she wasn’t. She manipulated them and tried to play them against each other. She enjoyed making them jealous, feeling like she had three guys fighting over her. She wanted them to all want her, but not in a sharing, loving way. She wanted competition and ultimately for there to be one ‘winner’ of her heart. She’d never had any intention of being with all three long-term.” Shelly balls her hands into fists, her lips spread into a thin, angry line.

“It was a long time ago, but they haven’t shared a woman since. Maybe I’m being silly, but the way they are around you reminds me of how they were with her at the start.” Shelly laughs deprecatingly. “Listen to me, yakking on when I don’t even know how you feel. Look, what I’m trying to say is, if you do like them all, don’t hurt them like she did, okay? I’m not sure they’d survive it again.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t want to do anything to hurt them. You’ve all been so kind to me, so welcoming,” I assure Shelly. “Thank you for telling me.”