“I’ll take it.” Expressions around the room vary from disbelief to annoyance. I explain my reasoning, “I’m the only one here that hasn’t hurt her or badgered her incessantly about her issues. One of you goes in there, and she’s going to blow up again.”
Braeden reluctantly agrees, relenting, while Rex lets me know he’s annoyed because he thinks it should be him before me. I’m going to have to explain again to my friend and partner about the breaking up thing. Apparently, he’s extremely dense in this regard— or in denial.
Taking the items from Braeden, I make my way to the bedroom, passing Marcus who’s storing the leftover choices in the hall closet. I find Lark still curled up under the blankets and settle onto the foot of the bed on the corner opposite her. Watching her sleep, I memorize her familiar features. It hurts to know I helped drag her into this mess. It’s unfair for her and Braeden.
Not long after I sit down, she begins to stir. Cracking her pretty brown eyes open, she flinches in surprise. “What are you doing? Stop staring at me. I swear you’re such a sketchy asshole.”
“Well, hello to you too, hellcat.” I smirk at her narrowed eyes. Oh, she doesn’t like that nickname. I remind myself to use it often. We excel at shooting barbs at each other.
“Which one sent you in here? You know you’re the sacrifice, right?” She sits up, pulling herself backward to watch me better.
"I was a volunteer. I even edged your sidekick out. Here." Reaching down to the floor, I pick up the boxes and heating pad, placing them on the bed. "Think you're probably needing one or two of these."
She turns beet red, and I'm thinking it's more in anger than embarrassment. Yep, definitely anger.
"Did the manly men all get together to handle my problem?
Well, the woman is spot on there.
"Oh, just hush and go to the bathroom."
She blinks at me in shock at the motherly type command but gets up, grabbing the boxes anyway. It only takes a moment for her to recover and flounce indignantly off to the connecting room. I have to stifle a chuckle at her attitude since I don't want my balls smacked like I heard about Apollo getting. At least she’s in better spirits when she returns. Sort of.
"Why you? And why do you always have to stare at me?"
I'm amazed she's noticed. I've always gotten the impression she mostly ignores me. "I like you, but I can never say anything that doesn't annoy you. And I figured I'm the least likely to take your insults personally. You always snipe at me. I'm used to it."
She doesn't react the way I expect her to.
"Well, thanks. I appreciate it. And I'm sorry if you think I'm always rude to you."
From the crestfallen expression on her face, I can tell she means it, and I feel like an ass pointing it out. Maybe I should have let Braeden handle it.
"Truce?" Sticking out my hand, I wait until she slips her smaller one into it before yanking her onto the bed with me.
She makes a chirping noise I can't help but laugh at. In a well-executed move I’m assuming Rex taught her, she flips over, straddling me. It's no wonder she's managed to hold her own in the physical altercations.
"Laugh at me again, and I'll tickle you so bad you'll pee your pants," she threatens.
Of course I can't help it and laugh at her again, earning little poking fingers digging into my ribs. I really am ticklish and try to squirm away by rolling. That works for all of two seconds until she manages to get one of my feet pulled back and an arm around my throat. I'm immobilized by the scrappy woman, and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it without her choking me out. I'm crying 'uncle' with her knee drilling into my back when the bedroom door swings open.
Five sets of curious and worried eyes greet me, witnessing my downfall to the female on my back.
"Nightingale, is there a reason you're trying to kill him?" Apollo looks like he can't decide if he should be amused or come save me. Wait, when did he start using a pet name? Jealousy rears up in me, urging me to stake my claim on my wildcat.
"I think she should keep him there for a bit. She's been wanting to kick his ass since he called her bird butt." Huh, I'd forgotten about that. I throw a glare at Braeden. He's not helping me here.
Lark lets out a giggle at his comment. "Alright, all of you out."
Brent leaves right off, with the others slower to follow his retreat.
"Got something you wanna say to me, hellcat?" I yelp at her sharp little teeth sinking into the back of my neck. A chuckle outside the door lets me know at least one of the others stayed to eavesdrop. "What the hell was that for?"
"To remind you I bite. No more weird staring. And don't pretend you didn't like it. Pervert."
She's not wrong, I definitely didn't mind it. She climbs off me to yank the door open to a sheepish Rex and an unapologetic Braeden. Now, that rivalry is legendary. Not that Lark has ever believed her housemate carries a torch for her. Or noticed that I do as well.