I should retaliate, at least with my words, but my throat closes up and my eyes sting because that soap. The smell invades my senses. It smells likehim.
So many memories filter unbidden through my mind. Of him clinging to me, of me running my hands across his body, how smooth his skin was, the way he tasted. Why did I leave? I should have never left. He didn’t want me to go, and I went anyways.
Why did I do that?
What the hell is wrong with me?
I go limp in Liam’s arms and let Luke rinse me off. Then a towel is placed over my head and they’re quickly drying me off.
Whatever they have planned, I don’t care. This whole thing is too much.
“Let me go. I need to go.”
“Nah, bro. We have plans for your sorry ass,” Luke says as he leans down, grabs onto my waist and hefts me into his arms. It’s impressive considering my size.
My brother grunts and strains under the weight of me and then staggers out of the RV and toward his truck.
I can see my ma in the distance, her hand cupped over her eyes as she watches Luke and Liam heft me into the back of the truck. She makes no move to stop them from kidnapping me. Don’t blame her. I’d be happy to be rid of my sorry ass too.
I shift, trying to get comfortable, but the ridges in the truck bed dig into my side and back.
This is what I get. I deserve it.
“Hold on, baby bro,” Luke says and then pats me on the head before I hear the truck door shut. The vehicle roars to life beneath me and then I just lie there as they drive me away from my parent’s house. I have no idea where they’re taking me, and I don’t really care.
Maybe they’ll just leave me somewhere.
Maybe this will help me get out of this rut I’ve found myself in. And when I get out of it, I can go back to Maggie and show him that I can be the man he wants.
I should have never left him.
Not even the first time and definitely not with fuckingColin.
Suddenly the truck comes to a stop, and I hit my head against the side of the bed. It throbs and I blink away the pain when I hear Luke say, “You asked and we delivered, tiny.”
“Oh my god. What the hell, you guys,” Maggie says, and my heart picks up speed at the sound of his voice.
He’s here. Why’s he here?
If you leave now, it’s over.
“I wanted you to bring him to me, not hog tie him and drag him out here like you’re part of the cartel.”
“I wouldn’t say cartel, per se, more like the mafia…” Liam begins but then I hear Maggie shush him.
“We are not debating this right now. Is he hurt? Did you hurt him?”
His voice grows closer and then he peers over the side of the truck, his hazel eyes wide as he takes me in my semi-naked, tied up body. They slide across my bare skin and a slight flush covers his cheeks.
Then he points a finger at me, his gaze narrowing. “I’m pissed at you.” Then he disappears from view and says sternly, “Bring him inside.”
The tailgate suddenly lowers, and I’m pulled into Luke and Liam’s arms. I don’t even fight it, just let them carry me into the shack I’d built with Liam years ago. They set me roughly down on the twin bed inside the small space and shake out their hands.
“Need anything else?” Luke asks, not meeting my angry gaze.
I breathe deeply through my nose as Maggie moves over to them and shakes his head.
“No, the use of your creepy Unabomber shack is enough. I’m sure there’s a story here, but I’ll have to wait and hear it another time.”