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They don’t fight as much as they used to, but they both have their moments. Two big personalities that are bound to clash against each other with the amount of time they spend together.
Hudson rolls his neck as he gives Z an appraising look. One that is sure to get his attention and his ire. I watch as he stiffens and roll my eyes as I trade looks with Eli from across the room. It’s been awhile since they came to blows, I guess they were due after all.
Might as well settle in and accept it.
“Hey,” a too cheery voice calls out as the front door opens. Surprise flickers over all of our faces, except for Vanessa’s. I arch a brow in her direction but she just shrugs back at me.
“I know my brother, he had that look in his eyes. I knew he was going to pick a fight with one of you neanderthals. I didn’t want my tv broken. Again.”
Hudson scoffs as he glares at his twin but even that melts off his face as soon as Bri walks into the room moments later. Not one of us isn’t relieved to see her.
She chuckles as she bounces into the room. Her long hair already pulled back and piled on top of her head. A blush rises on my cheeks as I recognize the Torched shirt she’s wearing as one of the ones I’ve purposely left at her house over the years.
“I thought you had plans with your mother and aunt?” Eli asks as he pulls her into his arms for a hug. She laughs and every note soothes the tension in the room. It’s been a long weekend without being able to see her. I wonder if she ever misses us as much as we always miss her?
“I got an SOS,” she explains lightly as she flicks her eyes to her best friend. “What have you been torturing my poor friend for?” she teases.
I pull her out of Eli’s arms and steal her for my own hug, taking a deep breath and inhaling the fragrance that is so uniquely her. Like honey and jasmine and something inexplicably warm. Vanessa yanks her away from me before I’ve had my fill of her. “They’ve been playing video games for hours,” she whines as she cuddles into Bri’s side.
Vanessa might be fun sized, but she has an even bigger personality than her brother. It shows in the way none of us even fight her as she monopolizes Bri. Even if Hudson and Zaide are now pouting on the couch. At least we don’t have to worry about them breaking it now. Her presence alone is enough to diffuse the situation.
“Booo,” she jeers. “So boring.” I shake my head at her as she caves into her friend’s desires. Bri enjoys playing video games with us most of the time, but she knows V hates them. “Ooo, let’s watch a movie,” she suggests and pulls Vanessa up off the seat and bounces over to the couch. She grazes a kiss on the top of Hudson’s head before falling to the couch with V at her side.
She melts into Zaide’s side and his smile practically lights up the whole room. I scoff at the change. You’d never know he was seconds away from smashing in Hudson’s face before she got here.
“Hi,” she breathes as she looks up at him.
His eyes twinkle as he looks back down at her, a totally different person with her. “Hi, Ellie.”
“Can we watch The Proposal?”
Hudson groans as V cheers. It’s Vanessa’s favorite movie and we’ve all seen it more times than any of us can count, but we all know Z has no shot of saying no to her. Not when she turns those big, baby blues up at him. I can’t even be mad at the guy when he instantly responds, “Of course, Sunshine.” Bastard.
She beams up at him and cuddles into his side as V snuggles into her. I wipe my hand over my face, chuckling as I trade looks with Eli again.
Guess I’ll go make the popcorn.
ChapterThree
His touchstill lingers on my knee in a phantom grip as we watch the trees pass us by on the way back to campus. I’m fine, I made it through his ridiculous breakfast date and in a few minutes I’ll be free of him until tomorrow. He moves to turn right to head towards the house he thinks I am staying in, but I allow my voice to break the silence to deter him.
“Actually, do you mind dropping me at the library? I have some books I need to pick up.” I keep my voice low and steady, determined to not show any hint of dishonesty in my tone.
He looks across at me, scrutinizing my words like they are under a microscope, attempting to detect any lie in them. My face is neutral as I hold his stare.
Eventually he smiles. “Of course, Darling. Anything for you.” His hands flex around the wheel as he steers back onto the road and heads towards the main block of BSU.
I silently release the tense breath I was holding, and remain quiet as he pulls up beside the library. My hand reaches for the handle to try and flee the hostile environment, but his harsh grip lands on my knee once more. His fingers tighten just like they did back at the restaurant, and when I turn my head to meet his eyes, I find that unsettling Cheshire cat smile he has perfected.
“Forgetting something?” His gaze falls to my lips and I fight the cringe that wants to take over my body.
“If you want a whore there are numbers you can call.” It’s amazing how I manage to get the words out without sounding disgusted, but I let my eye roll slip free without pause.
“What I want is for my asset to behave,” he snaps, losing some of his cool. “Do I need to remind you what’s at stake here?”
I don't let him see my spine stiffen, as his grip turns iron tight. “I never forget what’s at stake,” I reply bitterly. “It’s you who needs to remember it’s the only reason I’m even here.”
I push his hand from my knee and move quickly to open the door, but his hand grips the back of my neck and keeps me in place. “Such a sharp little tongue, Darling.”
