Page 47 of What About Us

My jaw drops and my eyebrows climb.

“When?” I finally manage to say.

“We’re on the porch.”

I huff out a laugh. “Okay, if you’ll give me five minutes to dry off and get dressed⁠—”

“Really killing me here, Red. I don’t need a sexy play-by-play.”

“Give me five,” I repeat and hang up, and then I can’t help but smile to myself.

Because I think I’m making friends. And they want to hang out with me.

I don’t remember the last time that happened.

So, I rush through drying off and pull on a Flurry T-shirt and jeans. I let my hair down out of the clip, grateful that today was not hair-wash day, and shake it out. Then I move fast through my small house and open the front door.

“Hi, guys.”

“Your house is the cutest,” Britney says with a grin. “Don’t make us leave. I’m totally clingy and want to hang out with you before we have to go back to Denver.”

With a laugh, I wave them into the house. “Please don’t leave. The pizza smells good.”

Xander’s carrying the boxes, and Cooper has two bags full of other things, and they head straight for the kitchen.

Britney, however, is standing in my living room, already holding my cat and staring at my art.

Shit.

I really need to start putting those away if I’m going to have unexpected guests.

“So, you’re a genius.” She turns to pin me in a stare. “And you didn’t tell me.”

I snort and reach out to scratch Cally behind the ears. She’s eating up all this attention.

“No, I have a hobby. That’s all. I have water and Diet Coke and⁠—”

“We brought drinks,” Brit says, waving me off. “Honey, you’re a savant. This is better than some of the art hanging in galleries in Denver.”

I shake my head. “I already like you. No need to butter me up.”

She snorts, and I smile at her.

“What the fuck are you wearing?”

Xander’s voice is hard and angry, and I turn with a frown to see his gaze pinned on me. His green eyes are narrowed, and his hands are fisted at his sides.

“Who are you talking to?”

“You, Red.” Cooper smirks next to him, but Xander ignores him. “Who’s name is on your back?”

I blink, thinking.

“Mullins. He’s been retired for twenty years. This is vintage.”

“Uh-oh,” Britney breathes, but I can’t take my eyes off the angry man in front of me.

His handsome face is mutinous. He’s good and pissed off.