by Cala Riley
Victoria shoots me a look of gratitude and understanding. It hits me then that she read my mind. It’s almost like we’ve known each other for years instead of the short time we actually have.
I wait until they’re both safely tucked inside before I turn and march towards the guys.
“Yates,” I holler.
Both Reed and Keaton turn around to face me. They share a look, then stare back at me.
“Yes?” Keaton takes a step towards me with his friendly smile.
“Tinsley’s riding with V and me. Just thought you should know,” I tell them both but hold eye contact with Reed.
“Is that so? And who said that was okay?” Reed drawls.
It’s obvious that he doesn’t plan on Tinsley riding anywhere with me or Victoria.
“Your sister.” I turn to walk away.
“Yeah, I don’t think so.” He chuckles.
“Not up for discussion. Don’t worry, I won’t corrupt her too much,” I yell over my shoulder while giving him the bird.
I slide into the back of the car and shut the door. “Ready,” I tell them while I click my seat belt in place.
“Nice touch,” V tells me between laughs. “Giving them the finger.”
That makes Tinsley start giggling.
“It felt right.” I shrug.
I look out the windshield at Keaton and Reed arguing in the parking lot.
“Let’s go before they register that we’re leaving,” Tinsley mumbles as her eyes lock on Finley.
Victoria starts to ease forward, but before she can move too far, Keaton jogs over to us. Reed looks as if he wants to follow, but Finley and Sterling each grab a shoulder, Sterling whispering in his ear.
Victoria slams on the brakes to avoid hitting Keaton. He runs to the back door and attempts to open it, finding it locked. Victoria rolls the back window down enough for me to talk to him.
“What do you want, Keat?” Tinsley says before I can speak.
“Can you open the door and give me a ride to the party?”
“You’re going to let me go?” She lights up.
“Yep. Now let me in.”
Once he’s seated next to me, Victoria continues to exit the parking lot. Keaton looks out the back window, drawing my eyes in the same direction.
Reed stands, staring after the car. Keaton turns to me, giving me a small smile.
“Reed thinks Tinsley is still a child,” he whispers to me as the girls up front talk. “If he had his way, she’d never leave the house.”
“You disagree?” I whisper back.
“I think she’s a sophomore, and she deserves to have a high school experience. It wasn’t until you came here that I realized we’re holding her back. That’s not to say I want her to do the things I did last year, but I don’t want her to look back and regret having two overprotective brothers. “
I give him a smile, leaning closer to him. “You’re a great brother.”
“To Tinsley, maybe. Reed doesn’t think so.”
I shrug. “Reed will get over it. He can’t be her father and brother. He’s taken that father role, so that means you get to be the brother. Don’t waste it. Time is one of the only things you can never get back.”
“You two done making out back there?” Tinsley giggles.
I jerk back from Keaton, realizing our foreheads were touching as we whispered.
“No… we weren’t…,” I stammer.
“I’m kidding. You should see your face. We’re going in. You coming?”
I turn and reach for the handle, but Keaton grabs my arm.
“We’ll be in soon. V, can you keep an eye on her?” Tinsley glares at him but softens when he continues. “Stop that, T. You know Reed is already going to have my ass. I need to at least make sure one of your friends is with you at all times tonight. It might be the only thing that’ll save my life.”
She smiles at him. “I know, Keat. Thank you for this. Love you.”
“Love you too, Tin Tin.”
They exit the car, but Victoria leans back in, tossing me her keys. “You good?”
I nod, and she and Tinsley head off.
Once we’re alone, Keaton turns in his seat, putting his back to the door.
“I had no idea they were planning to do that to you. I know you have no reason at all to believe me, but it’s the God’s honest truth. As soon as I saw Ingram pour the drink on you, I ran after you. I wanted to make sure you were okay. I left the clothes right inside the door, like I said I would. I should have waited for you outside, but I didn’t think you would appreciate that. Had I been there, I could have stopped them. Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I’m extremely sorry for what my brother and my friends did to you. They know I have a soft spot for you. That’s the only reason I can think of that they didn’t tell me. Shit, I’m fucking this up, aren’t I?”
He runs his hands through his hair, pulling on the damp ends.
I reach out to stop him, pulling his hands down between us in the seat.
“I get it, Keat. I think I was just confused. You said you would bring me the extra clothes they kept in the office, but Tinsley said that’s not a thing. Add that to my clothes coming up missing and all signs pointed to you.”
He looks down at our hands before he starts speaking. “I lied to you,” he whispers, and my heart clenches. “The office doesn’t have spare clothes, but I know Poppy does. She had a feminine accident last year. I helped take care of the issue. She swore to me that she would always keep a spare set of clothes in her locker from that day on. I’d actually seen them in there a couple of times. Her locker is only a couple down from my own. I texted her and asked to borrow them. I figured you would never know. I didn’t count on Tinsley spilling the beans.”
I let out the breath I’d been holding. His eyes meet mine, and I take in the truth in them. He really hadn’t been a part of the prank.
“I’m sorry I was such a bitch to you. You didn’t deserve that. I should have listened to you. Hell, I should have listened to Tinsley. She tried telling me, but I shut her down.”
He shakes his head. “Hey, none of that. I do deserve it. In the past, that would have been me. I would have been the one doing that shit with them. Reed thinks you’re a threat to us. He has it in his mind that you’re only around to collect a paycheck and then go. He’s watched you getting closer to Tinsley, and he pounced. It wasn’t right and still isn’t. That’s why I came with you guys tonight. I won’t stand by and watch him make you into the villain anymore.”
I give him a half smile. “Let him make me the villain in his world. In seven and a half months, I’ll be leaving this place—without a paycheck, mind you. He’ll never have to see me again. Hell, if all I wanted was money, I wouldn’t have gotten a job at Momma’s House. Alice basically offered me an open bank account. I declined it. I don’t want shit handed to me. I’ve always worked for everything I’ve had. That didn’t stop because I found out that my mom came from money. There’s a reason she didn’t want me to grow up here. You don’t have to worry about Tinsley either. It’s only been a short time, but I already love that girl to death. She earned my loyalty. I’ll never do anything to hurt her.”
“You know that if you leave, that’ll hurt her.”
I give him a small smile. “I’ll stay in touch.”
“You’ll be leaving me too, you know.” His flirty tone is back.
“I doubt you’ll miss me much. Seems there are plenty of fish in the sea for you.”
He chuckles. “None of them hold my heart though.”
For a moment, I think I catch a glimpse of something inside, but then I blink and it’s gone.
“We good?” he asks after a moment.
I lean over and hug him. “We’re good, Keat.”
“Great. Let’s party, then.”
∞∞∞
An hour later, I sit next to Tinsley on a log, listening to some guy going on and on about the game, Tinsley interjecting when she feels it’s neces
sary.
Keaton takes a seat next to me, holding out a drink each for me and Tinsley.
“What is it?” I whisper.
“Vodka and cranberry. Seems Tinsley convinced Eric to let her drink out of his parents’ liquor cabinet rather than just the keg.”
This party is not a BA party. Victoria reminded me it was a public school party hosted by their quarterback when I asked why I didn’t see any familiar faces. They also won their game tonight, and since Keaton knows him, we were invited.
“That was nice of him. You’re letting T drink?”
“Experience, remember? Besides, I’ve stayed sober. Victoria is playing beer pong, and they convinced you to do shots as soon as you walked through the door. I can be DD tonight.”
I frown. “It was your big win. Shouldn’t you be celebrating?”
He gives me a sad smile. “We might’ve won, but it doesn’t feel right celebrating without the guys. Besides, I would rather have the pleasure of your company while making sure no one gets too close to my baby sister.”
“I’m not a baby,” Tinsley pipes up.
“I know. You’re all grown. What happened to the little girl who would cry and beg me to sing her to sleep?”
She narrows her eyes. “Asshole. You’re only a year older than me.”
He chuckles. “Chill, Tin Tin. I’m kidding.”
I hand my drink back to Keaton. “Can you hold this? I’m going to run to the restroom.”
He nods as Tinsley asks, “Want me to come with you?”
I glance at Keaton, then smile. “I think I can make it to the bathroom and back without being accosted. Besides, I’m wearing Keat’s number as backup.”
“Or maybe some crazed fan will attack you,” he quips.
I wink at him. “I’ll fight for your honor. And don’t worry. I never lose a fight.”
My heart feels light as his chuckle follows me. I walk through the house until I find the line indicating the bathroom. I sway a little on my feet, realizing that maybe the shots I had hit me a bit harder than I thought.
Through my hazed mind, I notice a male figure headed towards me. I gasp as I recognize Reed.
He found us.
Or did he know where we were the entire time?
His eyes meet mine as he grabs my arm, pulling me down the hall. He opens the first door and yells at the couple occupying the room to vacate. Once they exit the room, he slams the door shut, locking it.
My heart thunders in my ears as he takes a step closer to me.
“Take it off.”
My eyes widen at his gruff tone. When I don’t move, he walks up to me and starts to tug the jersey up.
“I said take it off. Are you deaf?”
I smack at his hands while I try to back up.
“Stop it, Reed. What the fuck?” My fight-or-flight finally kicks in, and I slap his face.
He freezes, staring right into my eyes as his darken.
“I don’t want you wearing my brother’s number. Take it off,” he barks through clenched teeth.
“He gave it to me. I’m not taking it off.”
“The hell you’re not.” He attempts to pull it off again.
“Stop it. Now. Or I’ll scream.”
“Like anyone would come.”
“Fine, I’ll yell ‘fire.’”
He growls in frustration before stepping back.
“What would it take for you to take off the shirt?”
“Seriously? Nothing. I want nothing from you. Besides, I have nothing on underneath it. You already tried to get me naked once, and look how that turned out.”
He strips off his own jersey, placing it on the bed. My eyes immediately drop to his chest. A very delicious-looking chest.
You could lick it, the devious part of my mind states.
No. I can’t. Stop it.
My eyes meet his again, and he gives me a knowing smirk. He steps closer, this time grazing my sides, running his hands under the shirt instead of grabbing the fabric itself. I gasp as his lips come down to my neck, running along my pulse.
His hands inch higher, as do his lips. Once he gets to my ear, he whispers, “Take it off.”
This time his demanding tone is more of a coax. He’s daring me to do it.
I pull back and look into his eyes.
“No.”
“You can wear my jersey. Please.”
His pleading tone does it.
Before I know it, I have Keaton’s jersey stripped off and am holding it out to Reed. I half expect him to grab it and his own and leave me in this room, but he surprises me when he throws Keaton’s jersey on the bed, stepping forward to press me closer to his body. Before I know what’s happening, his lips are crushed against my own.
It only takes one breath to realize that Reed is kissing me. The second breath is lost as my lips begin to move against his. When his tongue slips into my mouth, I can’t help the moan that escapes. My body instinctively sways towards his, wanting to be closer to his warmth. My blood is heated, my heart pounding out of my chest. His hands skim my sides, never quite making it to my breasts. I arch forward, begging him to touch me.
He lightly bites my lower lip before pulling back, resting his forehead on mine.
“What the fuck are you doing to me?” he whispers almost to himself.
The spell breaks as I step back from him, my hand flying to my lips. He must sense the change in me, because he grabs his jersey, throwing it at me. I pull it on quickly as he pulls on Keaton’s jersey.
“Let’s go grab my sister and bounce.”
“No.”
He stares at me. “I’m not leaving you here alone. Come on.”
“I’m not alone. Keaton’s with me.”
“He’s coming too.”
“We’ll see about that,” I mumble to myself, walking past him to open the door.
His chuckle surrounds me as I attempt to twist the handle. His heat at my back makes me pause, and he reaches around me and unlocks the door.
I glare over my shoulder at him, but it only causes him to laugh more.
I stalk away from him and back to Keaton. He smiles as I approach, but his eyes darken when he notices Reed standing behind me.
“Why the fuck are you wearing my jersey?” He jumps up and gets in Reed’s face.
Reed smirks. “She asked to wear mine. I couldn’t deny her the better brother.”
Keaton goes to push Reed, but I jump in between. “Don’t let him rile you up. He forced me to change. “He seems to think my whoreish ways might tarnish your image and wanted to deflect attention off you.”
Keaton’s eyes meet Reed’s over my shoulder. “Stop playing games, Reed. Give her my jersey back, and then take yours and leave. You’re not wanted here.”
At this point, the entire party is watching the interaction. Brother against brother. How it must look with me standing in the middle.
“All over a girl? Seriously, Keat? I thought you learned your lesson with the last one.”
Keaton’s fist connects with Reed’s face before I can even blink.
Tinsley grabs Keaton as I turn and jump into Reed’s arms. It throws him off balance, but his arms come up to catch me, allowing me to wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck as I bring my lips to his ear.
“Calm down. Don’t do anything you’re going to regret.”
His arms drop me, but I hold myself in place.
“Get off me,” he growls.
“I will. As soon as you take me to your car and take me home. Like you promised.”
I wait, feeling his breath coming in short spurts. When he finally gets a hold of his breathing, his arms come back around me, holding me tighter to him.
“I’m taking Sage home,” he states. “I expect you to get Tinsley home safe.”
I can’t see what’s going on behind me, but I feel the tension leave Reed’s body as Keaton speaks. “Of course. That’s why I’m here, sober. To take care of Tinsley. I can take Sage home too.
You deserve a night off, Reed. Take it.”
Keaton’s voice sounds exhausted. Now that I know him a little better, I hear what he doesn’t want others to noticed. He’s damaged. All he wants to do is be the best brother for his siblings.
“Sage is coming with me.”
Reed turns and starts to leave with me still in his arms. I stare into Keaton’s wide eyes as he watches us leave.
“Wait,” I whisper.
Reed stops but doesn’t turn. I pull back and look at him. His eyes are still wild, but they’re calmer now. The fact that he stopped tells me he’ll let me go if I ask.
Instead of asking, I pull Victoria’s keys out of my pocket and throw them to Keaton. “Can you take Victoria home too? Make sure she’s safe? Text me when you leave.”
“I will,” Keaton promises as Tinsley comes up to stand next to him, looking confused.
Reed continues walking, holding me all the way to the car.
∞∞∞
Once we get to the car, Reed drops me before pushing me into the passenger seat. He then slams the door before getting into the driver side and taking off like there’s a fire.
He drives fast and wild the entire way, taking corners at high speeds that scare me. After one particularly close one, I let a small whimper out as I close my eyes. He slows down after that, taking the corners at a much safer rate.
Once we pull through the gates of his estate, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. I climb out of the car, turning to head back down the driveway.
“Where are you going?” Reed barks from behind me.
“Home. Thanks for the ride.”
Before I realize what’s happening, he wraps his arms around me from behind, jerking me into his chest.
His lips rake across my neck, causing goose bumps to form on my skin. Once he reaches my ear, he whispers, “I thought you wanted to go home with me. Now that we’re here, you’re going to leave? Cocktease.”
I stiffen and attempt to break out of his hold. When that doesn’t work, a well-placed elbow to his ribs loosens his arms, and he freely lets me step out of his grasp.
“Don’t you ever put your hands on me again. Do you understand me?” I seethe.