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Three pairs of eyes turn to me, but it’s only one pair that I really care about looking at me. They light upon seeing me before narrowing. I give her a big smirk before I look at Edge who is shaking his head with a rueful smile.
“Let me guess,” Edge says slowly, shaking his head, “you came to see Cadie and not one of those idiots out there tried to stop you?”
I enter, keeping close to the wall, as far away from the skittish woman as possible. I stand next to Edge and look down at him. “They practically begged me to come in,” I chuckle. “You know their nosey asses are dying out there. I’m surprised JT hasn’t tried to become Spiderman or some shit and climb the ceiling.”
Edge pinches the bridge of his nose as Cadie quietly giggles, causing him to narrow his eyes at her. Even a month ago that would’ve sent her wilting into the background. Now, the fiery little sprite holds his gaze with a shit-eatin’ grin and a raised eyebrow. Edge frowns at her before turning his glare on me. “She was sweet before you got to her. She was the only one I had who didn’t give me shit on the regular. Now she’s just as bad as the rest of them,” he sniffs dramatically. “I blame you,” he hisses.
“Me?” I scoff with wide eyes. “Don’t even act like that hell cat out there hasn’t been giving her tips and tricks on how to annoy you.”
“You both realize that I’m sitting right here and can speak for myself,” Cadie grumbles while giving us both a glare. “And for the record,” she purses her lips in Edge’s direction, “you were the one who introduced me to Marrow, so you have no one to blame but yourself.”
“Me? It’s my fault?” he sputters outrageously. “I introduced you to him, I never said date and move in with him. You’re the one living with my best friend, getting all these mean little quips from him.” I’d be insulted, but I may have given her a few pointers on how to really fuck with him and get under his skin - sue me.
“I’m not living with him.” Is her reply. She could’ve at least tried to defend me, but truthfully, she really is a shit liar, so it’s probably better that she didn’t. I wouldn’t put it past her to blurt out everything I told her to do to him.
Edge gets a mischievous look on his face that has her gulping, but not with fear, more in resigned acceptance. “Really?” he asks casually, too casually for it to be good for her. “When was the last time you slept at your own place?” His voice is so damn cheerful that’s it’s only pure willpower and not wanting the woman who owns me to be pissed off, that I manage to keep a blank face. But fuck it’s hard, especially when she turns bright red, looking extremely flustered.
Cadieleans forward, grabbing the edge of the desk, and hisses, “We are in the middle of an interview right now. This is a completely inappropriate conversation to be having.”
Edge leans back in his chair with a blank look and drawls, “If she’s going to work here, she might as well know how dysfunctional we all are. No need to disillusion her and let her think she won’t be working with a bunch of nosey assholes who are all in each other’s business.”
The woman in question is looking between the three of us with eyes large than saucers. I’m actually surprised she hasn’t bolted yet.
“Still inappropriate, Edge,” Cadie says through gritted teeth. Her jaw is clenching so much, I’d be surprised it doesn’t get stuck like that. “Now,” she coughs out, trying for calm, “since you both are rude asses,” her glare going between Edge and me, “I guess I’ll make the introductions.”
“How am I rude? Edge should’ve done this as soon as I walked in,” I defend.
“You’re not even supposed to be here,” my best friend grumbles petulantly.
“Briella,” Cadie’s smile is forced and overly bright, “this is Marrow.” Briella looks over at me and gulps. I try to keep a friendly smile on my face. “He and Edge are best friends, so you’ll probably be seeing him around here a lot.”
“You left out the part where he’s your man and now only comes here to see you. Even if it’s only been a few hours since he last saw you,” Edge states with a big smile. I’d smack the fucker if it wasn’t for the fact that it would probably terrify Briella. And judging by the shit-eating grin he throws my way, he knows it too.
“Well,” Cadie gives Edge a look that could freeze hell, making me so damn proud, “I figured that was given when you stated that I am “living”with him.” Her hands are clenched at her sides like even she wants to smack him.
He gives a careless shrug. “She could’ve just thought you two were roommates.” He gives her a wink. “Best to be upfront about things.”
Cadie’s eyes are tiny slits. “I’m beginning to see why Kealy texted me a picture of her pillow the other day asking me if it would be a good murder weapon.”
I start laughing, earning a glare from Edge. “It’s making sense now why you and Mac have been sleeping at the clubhouse while Dee stays at your house with Kealy.”
He gives me a thoughtful expression. “The pregnancy has been making her a little…” he pauses looking for the right word before Cadie interrupts.
“Homicidal.” She smiles sweetly at him. “Homicidal is the word you’re looking for.” She taps her index finger against her lips. “Although, that really only goes for you and Xander, she seems fine with everyone else.”
Edge looks at me before I shake my head. “Don’t even blame me. That’s all Dee’s influence and you know it.”
He begrudgingly nods his head. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right about that one.”
“This is a very strange place to work, isn’t it?” Briella whispers softly, looking shyly at Cadie.
Sprite gives her a genuine smile. “It is, but it’s not a bad place to be either.” She eyes Edge and me warily before continuing, “Despite the large and grumpy men walking around, it’s a lot of fun. I can assure you that regardless of how scary they might seem, every man here would cut off their own hand before ever raising it in anger.” She purses her lips, “Well, never at you, just at each other, especially over any baked treats. But Mel usually wins those by slapping them upside the head and stealing the snacks from them.”
Briella’s eyes go wide, or maybe they never went back to normal. “She hits them and they don’t do anything to her?” Her voice is awe-like, making me grind my molars. I look at Edge and can see his cheek twitching. This woman is maybe twenty-four at the most. She’s not petite like Cadie, but she’s still slight and very feminine. Long brown hair with matching dark eyes and curves that look like they were once fuller. Her round face looks almost gaunt. The circles under her eyes show more than just not getting enough sleep.
Cadie shakes her head and then shrugs. “No, I mean they grumble, complain, whine, and are pissy for the rest of the day.” She gets a smirk on her face. “And they may or may not switch out the sugar for salt in her coffee, but that’s the most they ever do. But I also learned early on, that if I bring in any treats, everyone gets their own separate box, since Draven and JT actually went through a wall while playing tug of war with one of the boxes.”
“Umm.” Briella looks around nervously.
