And into the pit of my stomach.
Caleb
I unlocked the front door and stopped dead in my tracks when I heard Evie giggling like a fucking school girl. Instantly, I recognized that laugh. Although, I hadn’t heard it since Jax’s vow renewal.
Who’s making her giggle like that?
As soon as I walked into the living room, I jerked back from the scene unfolding in front of my seething glare.
In seconds, I was fuming. Seeing nothing but fucking red.
Bright. Fucking. Red.
There was Joseph.
My brother.
Shirtless.
Evie … in his arms.
They were laughing.
Happy.
Enjoying each other’s company.
“What the fuck?” I roared with my fists clenching at the sides.
They both jumped, peering over at me.
“Hey,” Evie greeted with glossy eyes and flushed cheeks, holding up what I assumed was Joseph’s shirt. “I need to wash this. I mean…” She shook her head, stumbling over her words. “I spilled my drink on his shirt, and I was going to throw it in the washer before the stain set in.”
I didn’t pay her any mind. It was my brother who had my full attention. Zeroing in on Joseph, I suspiciously eyed him up and down.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
He scoffed out, “Nice to see you too, Caleb.”
“Whoa!” Evie exclaimed, bringing our attention back to her. “Why are you being an asshole to him?”
I stepped toward her, but she stepped back and fell into the couch.
“Evie...” Joseph coaxed, leaning forward. He grabbed onto her arm and wrapped it around his neck to help her up. “Let’s get you to bed.”
I was over to them in three strides, tugging her out of his arms. With one deadly stare, he backed away from me with his hands out in front of him in a surrendering gesture, understanding my not-so-subtle warning.
Evie swayed against my chest, and before she could argue, I cradled her body into my arms and carried her out of the room. I desperately needed to get away from my brother to calm the fuck down.
Despite hating the circumstances of why I was carrying her up the stairs, I loved the feel of her against my torso. I tried to keep my focus on that instead of the rage coursing through my veins and eating me alive.
Fucking Joseph.
I couldn’t believe he had the balls to show up here.
To hang out with Evie as if it were their first fucking date.
To see my kids.
To step into my home.
To hit on my fucking nanny.
Thinking about all the reasons why I wanted to knock him the fuck out wasn’t helping me cool down.
It wasn’t until Evie announced, “I can walk you know,” that my anger shifted to her.
“That’s an interesting perception. Seeing as you could barely stand seconds ago, darlin’.”
“Stop calling me that.”
“You don’t want me to call you what I’m thinking.”
“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s false.”
“That’s good, considering I want to beat the fuck out of my brother for even touching you.”
“I fell into his arms.”
“Even worse.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“It never is with you, is it?”
“You’re overreacting like always.”
“And you’re a pain in my ass like always.”
“I just want the record to show that I don’t feel well, and it’s the only reason I’m letting you carry me to my room.”
“Who said I’m taking you to your room?”
“Caleb…”
“The way I see it you have two options, sweetheart. One, you can sleep in my bed. Or two, you can sleep on the couch in my room. Either way, you’re drunk, and I’m keeping an eye on you.”
“I’m not drunk.”
“Tell that to your feet when you stand.”
“Wh—”
To prove my point, I abruptly set her down, and she instantly stumbled over her feet, which only pissed me off further. Instead of continuing this bullshit conversation about what happened tonight, I threw her over my shoulder.
“Hey!” she huffed out. “I liked it better the other way you were carrying me!”
Once I stepped into my bedroom, I didn’t think twice about it. I spanked her ass.
Hard.
“Caleb, what the fu—”
“Actions have consequences, Evie.”
“Caleb, if you don’t—”
I laid her down roughly on my bed and hovered above her small frame.
“If I don’t what, darlin’?”
She gasped.
The smell of merlot assaulted my senses, reminding me why I was pissed off to begin with.
“You can’t do this.”
Narrowing my eyes at her, I challenged, “Then try to stop me, Evie.”
“I can’t believe you’re manhandling me again. You know how much I hate it when you act like this.”
“I know how much you love pretending that you hate it.”
She rolled her eyes. “You don’t know anything. Especially when it comes to me.”
“I know if I reached into your panties you’d be wet. Especially when it comes to me.”
“Thanks for reminding me that all I ever was to you was a meaningless fuck.”
“Your pussy was the last thing I wanted, but it was always the first thing you threw at me.”
“You asshole!”
I growled, gripping onto her neck. “It was never about fucking you, Evie. It was always about loving you.”