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CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Harlow
I’m bleary-eyed as I let myself back into the apartment after my morning shift. Nico offered to cover for me, but it’s his first day off in weeks and he didn’t even get to stay at his own place last night, so I refused. The sofa is empty, so I assume he’s gone home now that the coast is clear, and disappointment settles inside me. I head to Sawyer’s room instead, hoping the comfortable atmosphere from yesterday is still holding after our awkward couple of days, but as I open the door ready to say something, I freeze with my mouth open. Nico and Sawyer. Half-naked.Bothhalf-naked. Both now staring at me as I impersonate a guppy fish. Could I be any less smooth?
“Shit, sorry. I didn’t realize you were here.”
“It’s fine,” Sawyer replies as his eyebrows crease. “I’m just lending Nico a fresh shirt.”
“Okay,” I say, pulling the door shut as I leave completely and utterly flustered. I’m downing a glass of water and have managed to compose myself somewhat when they come out.
“Do you want to get breakfast? We were waiting for you to get back, and I’m showing Nico the gym after.”
“Sounds good.”
“Go grab Ezra. He usually works lates, so he should be home.”
He is, and it ends up with all four of us going to eat. I love that Sawyer automatically includes Ezra, and now that everyone is fully clothed, I’m able to be myself and relax. I was worried that last night might’ve been a fluke because of the adrenaline, but they all still get on so easily this morning too. Contentment overwhelms me, having all of them close, and I’m happy to chill with them all. Except when Ezra touches me, which is a lot. Then my brain does a weird short-circuit thing, and I become very aware that my period has finished and it’s beenwaytoo long since I’ve had sex.
We go to a new diner, and the waitress’s eyes light up when she comes to take our order. Possessiveness builds up inside me so fiercely I have to fist my hands under the table, which is ridiculous, because none of these guys are mine. Ezra and I haven’t talked about being exclusive, although tattooing his skin is pretty symbolic. Sawyer gets more than enough action to prove he doesn’t belong to me, and Nico has an actual girlfriend who isn’t me. Even knowing this logically, I want to throat punch the woman as she flutters her eyelashes at them all.
Nico and Sawyer order first, sitting opposite us, and Ezra throws an arm over my shoulders, pulling me toward him to kiss the side of my head. I love the obvious sign he’s with me in the face of her flirting, and I look up at him with grateful eyes.
“Stop looking at me like that.” Of all the sentences that come out of his mouth, that one may be my favorite. So far, at least.
“Like what?” The waitress clears her throat before he can answer, and when I turn to her, I realize that she’s waiting for our orders... along with Nico and Sawyer, who are watching us. Awkward.
“Sorry.” My cheeks redden at getting caught. “I’ll have the veggie scramble with bacon and a vanilla shake, please.” Ezra chuckles and orders for himself while I avoid everyone’s gaze.
“How was work this morning?” Nico asks when the waitress collects our menus and leaves.
“Not too bad. What have you lot been up to?”
“I’d only just pulled myself together when you got back.”
“I spoke to my mum,” Sawyer adds, and I perk up. I adore Sawyer’s parents. I spent every minute I could at their house when I was younger and relished in the dynamics of a proper, loving family. They have such a warm, inviting aura, and they were happy for me to entertain Sawyer. Being an only child full of energy, he was a full-on kid. I’m sure the pact between us was a weight off their minds as we grew up.
“Oh, yeah? How are they doing?”
“Good. Dad’s having a great week.”
“That’s amazing, I’m glad to hear it.”
“He asked if we could visit this afternoon, but I’ve got back-to-back PT clients booked in.”
“I’m working too,” I say, my heart heavy.
“I can cover for you,” Nico offers.
“Thanks, but Sawyer’s busy anyway.” That’s a shame, and awful timing. We’ve not been invited very often since the attack. It affected his dad’s mental state more than it affected him physically, and that’s saying something.
“You should still go. You know you’re his favorite anyway,” Sawyer teases.
“Are you sure?”
“Of course. Why don’t you introduce them to Ezra? Might cheer him up.”
“To know I actually have a heart?”
