Rory snorted. “Money has changed you, cuz.” But she wasn’t lying about his apartment.
“And we’re not inviting you along so don’t even ask.”
“Really feeling the love, Trickster.” He took a breath. “So, dog sitting in exchange for…?”
Trick held up his hand. “Enjoying the mansion of the mighty Kelley. To a point. No giant sex parties. No strippers or football teams. Absolutely no sex or unidentifiable stains on our bed or in the library. Other than that, the place is yours for the duration.”
Rory narrowed his bloodshot eyes suspiciously. Unidentifiable stains aside, that sounded nice. Trick was never nice to him. “Why not the library? And is this a serious offer, or did you three decide to prank me after I passed out?”
Jen clutched his arm. “This is a serious request. I know it’s last minute, so I’d consider it a huge personal favor, Rory. And of course Rig and David are welcome to hang out here. All week if they want, we definitely have enough room. Rig says the three of you used to spend all your vacations together.”
She was smart but she wasn’t subtle. And he was never drinking again. “We didn’t plan anything out this time. I’m sure they have better things to do.”
“Don’t count on it. My family’s invaded my place for a cook-off with Nonna Gina. More Rigatellis than you Finns could shake a shillelagh at.” Rig’s words were lighthearted but his tone was anything but.
Rory avoided his gaze and stared down his cousin instead. “I’m not about to turn down this bed or playing with your professor’s epic entertainment system. The pups and I will just relax here while you get sand up your crack on an island with questionable Wi-Fi. You’ve twisted my arm. You wouldn’t happen to have a masseuse on retainer, would you? Hot, good stamina, lover of happy endings? Someone who steps in when your old bookends throw their backs out?”
Trick growled in disgust and Rory hid his smile. “I’m kidding, of course.” He winked at Jen. “I already know a guy.”
He heard Declan telling them to get a move on from another room and then Jen was hugging Rory and whispering in his ear. “Open up and take a chance, Rory. It’s more fun than your hand and you’ll always wonder if you don’t.”
Get out of my head, Spice. “Have fun with the rich and famous. Oh, and your kinky geezers.”
Jen shook her head, chuckling and letting Trick drag her away. “I left info sheets on the dogs and the numbers for our vet in the kitchen. Oh, and the pantry is stocked and Rig drove your truck here while you were sleeping, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
Rory waved her off. “How can I miss you if you never leave?”
Trick practically picked her up in the hallway but Rory still heard her shout, “Don’t glue anything to my dogs. And if Penny comes over to play with them, I told her she’s not allowed to paint their nails. Rig? Make sure he eats something, he’s too skinny. And don’t let him kick you out until you’re ready.”
Rig met Rory’s gaze and shifted, rubbing the back of his neck. “She’s bossier than she used to be.”
Rory smirked. “I noticed that too. Bookends are clearly working for her.”
“I’m sorry for waking you up like this.”
“Like I said, it isn’t my place.” Rory shrugged, aiming for casual. “If Jen doesn’t mind, who am I to argue?”
Rig couldn’t hide the small wince. “It’s not Jen I’m worried about and you know it. That’s why I rushed over here without thinking. I was afraid that after I threw all that shit at you, you’d shut me out. Shut us out before I could fix it.”
“What’s there to fix?” Rory pushed himself off the bed and headed for the shower in the hallway off his bedroom, feeling Rig’s gaze on him and his semi. What the hell, right? It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen it before.
“It happened,” he continued. “You were upfront about it, and you obviously enjoyed it. You wouldn’t be torturing yourself if you hadn’t.” And David would have told me. Maybe.
He stepped under the hot spray, fiddling with the extra knobs while Rig’s blurry form paced on the other side of the frosted partial wall. He needed to enjoy that, for a week, he had a bathroom that was big enough to pace in. Maybe he should spend this week looking for a new apartment. That might get his mind off his problems.
“Don’t act like nothing’s wrong,” Rig demanded. “You can fool a lot of people with that blasé bullshit, but not me. You were a mess last night. Once or twice I thought you were going to write me off for good.”
Rory leaned his head wearily against the tile. “I was surprised, Rig. And yeah, a little hurt that no one filled me in on everything that’s been going on.” Broken. Lost. “But I’ll never be the one to write you off. Either of you. No matter what happens.”