I stand between Kaylah and Tora as we put together our new kitchen. All the parents, even my mom, are in our bedrooms helping the boys put our brand-new furniture together while the other guys are hauling boxes in from outside. I’m not going to lie, me, Kaylah, and Tora may have forgotten that we’re supposed to be doing something as our eyes seem to continue straying to the front door, watching as the boys haul things inside with muscles bulging.
It’s beyond hot today and the guys…my God. It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. A thin layer of sweat coats their skin, making them look all shiny and edible. I mean, those Ryder brothers…they’re drool-worthy. I should have snatched one of them up before these two bitches beside me stole them away. Though dating Nate would have driven me insane with his obsessive protectiveness and Jesse would have had me running for the hills with his endless chatting and shit-stirring.
Me, I got stuck with the dud. Don’t get me wrong, he’s Nate and Jesse’s cousin so technically, I did get myself a dark and mysteriously sexy Ryder. If only this Ryder had the same intense loyalty as the other two do, we would have been fine.
I drool over the boys as they walk in and out and barely take note of the conversation around me. I shake my head before leaning forward onto my elbows when Maxen glances my way for the millionth time today. “I still don’t understand what he’s doing here,” I murmur to the girls.
“Come on,” Tora says, moving in closer beside me and lowering her voice. “He’s been fine. He showed up at Nate’s place this morning not realizing we were moving today and as soon as Nate explained what was going on, he jumped at the opportunity. He’s just being helpful.”
I roll my eyes and scoff as Kaylah makes herself busy putting the coffee mugs up in the overhead cupboard, pretending that she’s not listening to what could surely turn into an epic showdown. “Since when are you team Maxen?” I demand, hating that Tora took it upon herself to stand up for the guy. Isn’t she supposed to be on my side here, be my girl, and have my back?
She looks at me as though my question was offensive and uncalled for, making me raise a brow in annoyance. “I’m not team Maxen, but I’m not going to ignore the fact that he’s been a perfect gentleman today. The least you could do is say thank you and offer him a glass of water.”
Okay, maybe this is too much manual labor for my friend because she must be going insane. Maybe it’s heatstroke. I should get her to lay down, perhaps some ice chips and chilled water would help.
I look away, focusing back out the door. “Perfect gentleman?” I scoff. “I don’t think so. He’s up to something and besides, I didn’t ask for his help, so why don’t you offer him a glass of water?”
Tora blanches at me and I know the exact words that are going to come out of her mouth moments before she even gets a chance to speak them. “Are you kidding?” Tora scoffs as though I’m the crazy one here.
“Dead serious,” I tell her, holding my ground. “I don’t trust him and after what he did to me, I don’t owe him a damn thing.”
Tora sighs and I don’t miss the frustration that flashes in her eyes, making me feel like a piece of shit for not wanting to play perfect host to the guy who was screwing another girl while he was supposed to be kissing me. Am I really supposed to roll over and forgive the guy who was supposed to be kissing me at the stroke of midnight and not the whore he had pressed up against the tree? Should I be saying thank you for coming to my aid despite not wanting him to? I don’t think so.
“Fine, I’ll do it,” Tora says, turning around and heading to the cupboard which we only just finished filling. She grabs a few glasses before remembering the carton of bottled water in the pantry. She goes about filling her arms and I let out a sigh, feeling like a complete bitch as she waddles out the door, trying not to drop any. Though to be fair, if I knew she meant to offer all the guys a bottle of water, I probably would have caved a lot easier, but thinking she wanted me to single out Maxen and clear the air, it was a hard pass.
Damn it. Maybe I am a bitch.
Kaylah and I are left in the kitchen and she gives me an encouraging smile. “It’ll get better,” she promises me. “and one day, you’ll get to a stage where you realize that you haven’t thought about him for years.”