JW stands up, and I glance over. I feel like a complete idiot when he props a black ferret on his shoulder.
“Umm….” I have no idea what to say. “So, I guess you have a ferret?” I finish lamely.
“Yep,” he answers, running his hand down the small animal’s back.
Eden walks into the kitchen and sees what’s going on. “I see Piper’s been causing mischief again,” she says, holding back her laughter. Her eyes move to me. “She scared the bejesus out of me the first time I saw her too.”
“That thing is going to cause a heart attack one day,” Judge mutters.
“Nah,” JW inserts. “Maybe a few heart palpitations.”
I put my feet on the floor, embarrassment heating my cheeks.
“Sorry I overreacted,” I mumble.
“No worries,” Eden says kindly. “She’s supposed to be in her cage anyway.”
I wince when I straighten the back of my shirt, and of course Aziah notices.
“What’s wrong?” he demands, stepping around me.
He’s so close I can feel the heat radiating off him, but he still doesn’t touch me.
I step to the side and turn my back to the counter. “It’s nothing. I just bumped into the counter. It’s fine.”
His eyes narrow, and the muscles in his jaw jump. “Let me see.”
“Aziah, it’s okay. I pro—”
“Turn around and let me see. Or at least let your brother do it.”
At the concern in his eyes, I give in and turn back around. I can’t fault him for being worried.
“Lift your shirt a little.”
Feeling self-conscious with a room full of people, I grip the bottom of my shirt in the back and lift it just enough for the offending area to be visible. Sensing movement behind me, I look over my shoulder to see Judge, JW, Eden, and Ellie leaving the room. Trouble steps up beside Aziah, both keeping their distance, and looks at my lower back.
“It’s just a small scratch. It’ll probably be sore and bruise, but it’s nothing serious.”
I drop my shirt and spin around.
“Told ya so,” I say to Aziah.
Trouble chuckles, while Aziah simply clenches his teeth.
“I’m going to run to the bathroom. I’ll be back out there in a minute.”
I leave the guys in the kitchen and walk down the hallway to the bathroom. As I pass by one of the open doors, something catches my eyes. Taking a step back, I look inside the room and find Thea sitting on the edge of a bed, staring out the window, her face in profile to me. Her shoulders are slumped, and she seems to be lost in thought. The look on her face says whatever she’s thinking about isn’t of the good variety.
I gently tap my fingers on her door, not wanting to startle her. Her head jerks around, and as soon as she sees me, her shoulders and back straighten. I take a step inside the doorway.
“Hey, Thea. Are you okay?” I ask, keeping my voice soft.
She nods twice before it turns into a shrug.
“Is it okay if I come in?”
Another shrug.