Page 79 of What About Us

“We’ll buy you new ones.”

“Xander, I don’t need you to pay for my life.”

He frowns down at me. “Do you really want to go back in there and pack a bag?”

“Yeah. I really do.”

He blows out a breath, firms his jaw, and says, “Okay. Let’s go pack you a bag, Red.”

But once we get to the bedroom, I can plainly see that Brenda already ruined all my things. She cut them to shreds. Thank God I took his hoodie with me, along with my favorite Flurry T-shirt.

But my scrubs, my favorite jeans, the one little black dress I own—all of it is gone.

“I guess I’ll be buying new things after all.” I swallow hard as Xander hugs me from behind and buries his lips in my hair.

“Come on, Ivy. I want you out of here.”

“Okay.”

He takes my hand and leads me out of the house—not bothering to lock up because, really, there’s nothing here to protect—and out to his vehicle.

“Before we go shopping,” I say, swallowing hard. “I need carbs. Lots of carbs.”

“Lunch it is, then.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

XANDER

“Ireally don’t have to stay for this,” Ivy says as she cuts up vegetables for a green salad. “It’s your family. You should just enjoy them without worrying about me.”

I don’t know how to make it clear to this girl that she’s not in my fucking way.

“A couple of things.” I wash a head of lettuce and pass it over to her. “First, you live here, and I will never ask you to leave simply because someone’s coming over. That’s a dick move, wildcat. Second, you know my family. All of them.”

“I know, and I like them, but⁠—”

“No buts. I want you here.”

She sighs, as if I’m the one being difficult, and I wipe my hands dry. I carefully take the knife from her, set it aside, and wrap her up in my arms, kiss her head, and wait until I feel all her muscles loosen.

“What’s going on in that perfect brain of yours?”

“What are you going to tell them?”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“About us. About why I’m here and what we’re doing?”

“I mean, it’s none of their business, but if they asked, I’d tell them that you live here because I want you to and I’m fucking you every chance I get.”

She turns her face up to me and doesn’t look amused.

“You’re cute.” I kiss her nose.

“You’re annoying. I’m serious, Xander.”

“Me too. But if you don’t like that answer, I’ll tell them that you live here because I don’t like the idea of living without you, because we’re a we, and it’s handy having my physical therapist live with me. I won’t tell them about all of the sex.”