They came prepared with tools and a mounting kit, and they install the TV on the wall opposite my bed. If I get a couch – a small one might fit in the room – I can always rearrange if I need to.
Unfortunately, I don’t yet have any food to offer them, and there’s not much else to see, so shortly after they confirm the TV is working, my sister and her men leave.
And then I’m alone.
I’m tired of unpacking. My bed is made, and things I’ll need for tomorrow like clothing and makeup have been put away, so I decide that I’m done for the day. The TV is still on, and I flick through a few dozen channels, but everything seems either irritating or uninteresting at the moment, so I turn it off.
Through the window, I have a good view of the complex’s courtyard. It’s empty. There’s music coming from another unit, but things are otherwise quiet.
When I was in a restless mood like this at home, I could wander into the living room or kitchen and talk to my mom or dad, or maybe even visit Lacy in her garage apartment.
Now, I’m alone.
Was I ready for this?
At the moment, being alone feels very lonely.
Thinking about texting Olivia to see if she’s busy, I’m reaching for my phone when there’s a knock on the door.
Through the peephole, I see Cade … and Ryder. I’m torn between joy and irritation.
I’m not ready to talk to them again, but I’m also grateful to see a familiar face – two of them, actually.
As soon as I open the door, I notice right away that Ryder looks contrite. “Hi. Can we come in?”
I fling the door wide and step aside for them to enter.
As soon as the door is closed behind them, Ryder says, “I came to say I’m sorry, B.” His shoulders are slumped and his hands are in his pockets. He looks both pitiful and adorable.
“Okay.”
“I was out of line earlier. I still think that guy is bad news, but I shouldn’t have acted the way I did.”
“You were out of line,” I agree. “I know you were just being protective, though.”
He steps toward me and puts a hand on my arm. “I’ll always protect you, B.”
“I know.” I give him a small smile.
“We talked about it on the way home,” Cade says. “We think it would be best if you don’t see other men while you’re dating us.”
“What?”
“It doesn’t seem right,” he says.
“But I’m going on dates with four of you. It’s not like there’s anything exclusive going on. And our dates aren’t even real dates.”
Part of me hopes they’ll disagree with me and tell me that it’s getting real, that they’re starting to have feelings for me like I am for them, but they don’t.
“Dating our brothers is different,” Ryder says. “But we don’t want you going out with that jerk who lives here or anyone else like him.”
“Be exclusive with us for now,” Cade says. “It’s too weird if you see others while we’re taking you out.”
In truth, it would feel strange for me to date someone else right now. “What about you? I assume this goes both ways? You won’t be dating other women?”
The men shake their heads. “We haven’t been – and yes, both ways. We won’t date anyone else. I expect that Knox and Logan will agree.”
I shrug. “Okay. That’s fine.”
“Good,” Cade says. “Have you eaten yet?”
Despite all of the heavy lifting today, I haven’t had much of an appetite, but now that I think about it, I’m starving. I shake my head. “No.”
“Want to get pizza?”
We discuss where and what to order, and then arrange for delivery. While we wait, I turn on my new TV – the guys are very impressed with it – and to lighten the mood that’s been so heavy, I put on The Office.
Since there’s nowhere else to sit except my small desk chair, I invite them to use my bed. Ryder settles on one side and Cade sits at the end. Tucking one leg under me, I sit opposite Ryder. It’s not a very big bed.
Tension crackles in the air, or is it only my imagination? I’ve lain in this bed thinking very dirty thoughts about these men, and here they are, sitting on my bed. Only now, my bed isn’t in my childhood bedroom; it’s in a new apartment, where I have privacy.
A shiver of possibility runs through me.
21
The wildest thing I’ve ever experienced
We’re midway through a funny episode when the food arrives, so we return to my bed to eat, taking our original positions. After second – and for the guys, third – helpings, we keep watching TV while we settle in, shifting to get more comfortable.
Cade leans back on his elbows, and I stretch my legs out, resulting in my feet being close to his side. When he absently starts to rub one of my feet, I sigh. “Oh wow, that feels good.”