As we went back into the complex, a lot more people were milling about. “Hey, Thomas, Moore, Gato.” One of the guys stopped and smiled at us, giving us a slow perusal.
I recognized him as one of the guys that had been on the exercise with us, but I didn’t know his name.
“Hey,” I tried to give him a smile back, my mind was racing with so many questions and thoughts.
“Where are you ladies going?” He gave us a charming smile.
“Home,” Troy said brusquely as he inserted himself between the guy and me. He took my other hand and started guiding me to our apartment.
I guess he didn’t like it when the shoe was on the other foot.
“Are you sure? We’re going to play some poker. Want to come along?” he asked hopefully.
I gave him a rueful smile. “Maybe some other time.”
“Over my dead body,” Remy grumbled under his breath.
“Why not?” I asked him with an arched brow. “I thought we were trying to make friends.” I said passive aggressively.
He gave me a pointed look with an arched brow. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” I feigned ignorance, knowing he wouldn’t be this riled up if I wasn’t dressed the way I was.
“Hey, Troy?” Adams came into the dayroom door. “Wanna finish up the game we were playing.” She eyed me disdainfully.
“No, thanks,” Troy said as he pointedly wrapped his arm around my waist. “I don’t think my girl will like that.”
Adams snorted and muttered something under her breath. We made our way down the halls, with several more interruptions before we finally reached our apartments.
“No more going out dressed like that,” Noah stated in exasperation. “We got your point.”
“What point is that?” I asked as I opened the door to the smell of food.
He sighed heavily, clearly lost for words. This had to be a first.
Jemmy, Gavin, Dawn, Terrance, Marcel, and Ford were waiting on us and charged us as we entered. “What happened?” Jemmy asked as she embraced Sierra with Gavin.
“We got my brother, Rachel’s dad, and brother,” I explained. “Do I smell food?” I asked. I was starving right now.
Jemmy and Dawn squealed before they embraced Rachel.
Dawn smiled. “The salad is done, and baked potatoes are in the oven, but we were waiting on you guys to cook the steaks and lobsters.”
I looked over at Kade and wasn’t surprised to see him looking overwhelmed. “Sorry,” I mouthed. “Everyone, this is my brother, Kade. Kade, this is my…family.” I spread my arms to encompass the whole group. “This is one of my connections, Jaxson. You met him once, briefly. Then there’s Gavin, Jemmy, and Sierra. Over there is Terrance and Marcel. Then there’s Dawn and Ford. This is Rachel and Sam. Then these are the rest of my connections; Remy, Drake, Troy, and Noah. Jace is with his father, Will.”
“Hey,” Kade waved with slight reservations.
“Do you want to come back to our apartment and play video games, while we wait on the food?” Micah asked as he pointed to the door.
Kade looked at me hesitantly, and I nodded. “That’s fine. We can wait to talk.”
He gave me a grateful smile and followed Alex and Micah out of the room. I figured they needed to bond just as much as we did. I knew the boys would set him at ease, faster than we could.
“So where are these steak and lobsters?” Drake clapped his hands.
“They’re in Will’s fridge. I’ll go get it them” Terrance said in excitement as he left the room.
I walked over to the kitchen. “How are we supposed to cook the steaks and lobster in here?” I motioned towards the cramped space.