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“Pussy,” Maddie whispers, but I hear it clear as day.
“You’ve got quite the foul mouth,” I tease, then glance at Liam, who’s purposely avoiding the conversation.
“So, Hulk. You ready to make a woman out of me yet?”
Maddie has balls, I’ll definitely give her that. She’s bold, and her filter is as nonexistent as our government. She’s young, probably too young for Liam, but she doesn’t let that deter her from hitting on him as often as she can.
“I don’t mess around with jailbait,” he throws out before taking a long swig of his beer.
“I’m twenty!” she argues. “Do I need to show y’all my driver’s license? I’m not a kid.”
Lennon chuckles, and I shake my head. Poor Liam doesn’t know what to do with a woman like Maddie. Though he should be used to chicks throwing themselves at him, Maddie isn’t just some girl. She’s in our inner circle, and she’s not just a hit-it-and-quit-it kind of lay. He’s smart to keep his distance even if Maddie would be a hell of a catch.
Before any of us can answer her, Sophie comes downstairs, happily greeting her sisters and niece. I turn and look at her, nearly choking on the air around me as I take in how gorgeous she looks. Her long, dark hair is curled in waves with a long braid wrapped around the crown of her head to look like a headband. I’ve only ever seen her hair like that once since we’ve known each other—the night we met. She’s wearing a pink dress that goes just above her knees and hugs her waist, pushing her breasts high. It must be new because I didn’t see it in her closet when I helped her unpack. Her face is done with makeup, which she doesn’t wear that often either. And her lips. Red, smooth kissable lips.
She’s stunning.
Her eyes catch mine, and I don’t even care that she caught me staring. Sophie watches as I study her, wanting to memorize every curve. I linger on her face for a moment, then scan down her body and back up again. “You look beautiful,” I mouth and smile when she blushes.
Before I can walk toward her, the doorbell rings again. Sophie rushes to the door, but I don’t follow her. Fuck, her guests are here.
Just get through this one night, I remind myself. I can do it for Sophie.
I hear a man’s voice followed by Sophie’s laughter. My guard rises immediately, and I wait impatiently for her to walk him in here.
“Where’s Dacia?” I hear her ask. I don’t hear his response, but then Sophie speaks again. “Oh, too bad. I hope she feels better soon.”
Piecing it together the moment I see only him, I realize Dacia isn’t coming.
“Hey guys, this is Caleb Royce,” she announces the moment they come into view.
I look up and see a man who is way too close to Sophie, being too friendly, and smiling way too wide at her. A man who doesn’t look like he’s just lost his wife.
Everyone around me greets him, but my jaw is locked tight, and I freeze as I study him.
“These are my roommates, Liam and Mason. My sisters, Lennon and Maddie. My future brother-in-law, Hunter and my adorable niece, Allie.”
“Wow, it’s nice to meet you all.”
Caleb stands tall, about my height. He’s broad like me, too, and I can tell he’s older, by five years at least. We’re all standing, but I don’t like how close he is to her and see red the second he wraps an arm around Sophie’s waist and leans in to whisper something into her ear.
“Dude, you need to chill,” Liam turns and whispers loud enough for only me to hear. “I can see you’re tense as fuck, and if Sophie notices, she’s going to get anxious again.”
I unlock my jaw and try to shake it off, knowing Liam’s right. “I don’t have a good feeling. Haven’t since the day she’s mentioned him.”
“Give him a chance at least before you start throwing punches.” He snickers.
I roll my eyes and jab my elbow into his ribs. “Funny.”
Sophie tells us to come sit at the table because she has appetizers and the main course will be ready in ten minutes. Following them, I wait until we’re all in the dining room before I plan to offer to help her bring stuff in. Before I can say anything, Caleb is at Sophie’s side, telling her he’ll assist her.
I sit across from Lennon, who pierces me with her hard gaze. Apparently, I’m more transparent than I thought I was. Sophie’s laughter from the kitchen echoes, and Caleb’s follows, driving the knife in my gut even deeper.
Less than fifteen minutes later, we’re all sitting and eating Sophie’s delicious meal. I relax slightly when she takes the seat next to me, but Caleb is on her other side, and I have to lean forward just to keep my eye on him.
