I think about the fucking things all day, and I can’t wait to put them on when I get home.” I drop to sit
on the padded mat. “I don’t recognize myself anymore.”
Kade drops to the mats, too, resting his back against the ropes. My brothers exchange glances and
climb in, sprawling out. They study me carefully. Finally, Kade breaks the silence.
“You are different. But I like it.” I shoot him a look, and he grins. “You’ve always been a bit of a
stuffed shirt. Always dressed so nicely, hair always perfect. Even when we’re lounging at home. It’s
fucking weird, man. I mean, I’ve never seen you wear anything with a hole in it.”
“Is that the bar? I’m fancy because my clothes don’t have holes in them?” My brothers exchange
glances, then nod.
I groan and lay on the mat. “You’re all sloppy assholes.”
“My favorite sweatpants have a hole in the crotch,” Jonas says dreamily. “If I forget my
underwear, my balls fall through the hole, and it hurts like hell. But the pants are so soft I don’t want
to throw them away.”
Our laughter echoes through the room. Jonas just smiles and rests back on his elbows. “I like
Maya.” He says. “She’s good for you. And I think you’re good for her. She seems more comfortable in
her skin now than when she first came, and I think a lot of that has to do with you.”
“You mean the clothes? She does seem to like them.”
Jonas rolls his eyes. “Not the clothes. You love her, and she is brighter around you. She shines.”
“He’s right,” Ransom adds. “She was very…aloof when she first came. The woman clearly came
here for something different, so it’s not all because of you, but she is brighter when you’re around. But
you’re brighter when she’s around, too. You seem a little less concerned about appearances too,
which is healthy.”
“You guys make it sound like I spend every minute staring in a fucking mirror.”
“Nah,” Nick says, “it’s not that bad. But can I ask you something?” I nod, but he’s already talking.
Why did he bother asking? “What would happen if you wore the slippers to family dinner? Or didn’t
comb your hair? What would be so wrong with it?”
I shift uncomfortably. “Nothing…I guess.”
“Why do you look like you just smelled a fart?” Kade asks. I glare at him, and he gives me the
finger with a grin.
“Good question,” Ransom says. “Why are you so horrified by that idea.”
