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We eat, sleep, and breathe hockey during the season. But for that short time just after school starts, when we get mildly more control over our lives, we like to let loose as often as we can.
When Ren chuckles, eyes glued to the TV, I shake my head. If I didn’t know him like I know myself, I might be worried he’s plotting a mass murder. The man’s too gentle for that, though. Still, it’s a bit suspicious. To anyone else, he might look like an unhinged psycho.
Romeo is shoveling popcorn into his wide-open pie hole like he didn’t just kill an entire cheese board by himself. I can also hear Griffin shuffling around in the kitchen, and I have to wonder what he’s up to. That man doesn’t cook. Well, he cooks, but he’s not great at it…unless Sadie is here, then he’s alright. He does his best, but Fallon's stepsister is basically a professional chef.
The front door opens before I can worry too much about the kitchen, and I jump to my feet.
“Finally!” I snap as Holden steps in the front door. “I’m starving, and Ren wanted to wait for you before we–” I snap my lips together, glaring. Now, I know this man better than I know anyone else, so one look at Holden’s face tells me the fucker is guilty as shit of something. I narrow my eyes to slits, crossing my arms at my best friend. I give his body a once over…nowthere’sa suspicious man.
“What did you do?” Ren asks, beating me to it. He looks equally worried about whatever it is Holden’s just done. Romeo has a mouthful of popcorn and pauses mid-chew to stare between us, ready for the drama. He’s a good guy, a fucking player straight from hell, but a damn gossip.
“Lorenzo, Nash…she’s my stepsister, and I couldn’t just leave her–” Holden starts. My eyes go wide, and my jaw falls open before snapping shut.
“You didn’t…” I whisper as his far too sexylittle sistersteps through the door. Even in an oversized gray hoodie and black yoga pants, she looks like a whole fucking sexy meal. Her once-blonde hair is dyed pink, and her hazel eyes stand out even more somehow. She’s got this cute nose that's always reminded me of a fairy. She’s temptation walking. “Of course, you did.” I shake my head, throwing my hands up and trying really hard not to look at her too closely. Again.
I flop back down on the couch in our frat house, wondering how I ended up right back where I was in high school. She’s the only girl that's ever been off limits for reasons beyond either of our control.
Let's be clear, I’m not a fucking dickhead. I’m not about to pressure a girl who clearly isn’t interested. But Rose? There’s a reason we had to push her away.If I meet a gorgeous woman at the bar, and she shows no interest, I move on.
You know what's sexy? Consent. Not just a “Yes,” but an enthusiastic “Fuck, yes.” I want her begging for it. If she asks for a little push because she’s shy, that's all good, but I won’t hound a woman that clearly wants space.
Rose never fucking once asked for space.
A moment I will never forget plays on repeat in my mind.Rose on her knees, staring up at me with wide hazel eyes. So vulnerable. So fucking desperate.She didn’t even know I was having such deviant thoughts about her that night…fuck. Just the reminder makes my dick ache.
“Hey, guys,” Rose mumbles, looking sheepish as she clings to her pink backpack. “Uh, Romeo…” she waves a hand at my teammate whose mouth is hanging open, little half-chewed popcorn kernels falling loose.
Something inside me twists with irritation at the sight of Rome staring at her like that.
“Fucking hell, Ho!” Lorenzo snaps, using the nickname Holden hates. We only use it when his dick does the thinking for him.
“Well, fuck me!” Romeo cheers, jumping to his feet and rushing Rose. He scoops her up in a fucking bear hug and spins her. Three fucking times. She’s giggling hysterically as she struggles to break free from his hold, and I bristle. Damn, teddy bear man. Makes all the girls giggle.
“Phoenix abandoned her. I wasn’t just going to leave her stranded. My dad would kill me,” Holden defends, but I shoot him a pointed look. We both know he doesn’t see her as a little sister. He never fucking has, and that's the root of all our troubles.
We spent too many years pushing the poor girl away to start pretending she’s his sister now…
You don’t stalk your sister through the halls of your home for two years like a fucking duckling that’s imprinted…fucking Holden.
“I’m sorry. I know the last thing any of you wants to do is live with me. And I swear, if I had anywhere else to go, I’d be there. But I’ll find somewhere else to live. I promise! I just need a few months. I swear I won’t be a cock block!” she vows, all but dropping to her knees to beg, as Rome steps away from her. His big, meaty bear paw pats her on her shoulder, and I have to wonder how he’s so chill. Maybe because he’s only known her a couple of years, and he was never obsessed with her…
“Fucking hell, Candycane, we know! We’re just shocked, and a heads-up would have been nice,” Lorenzo sighs, and I glare daggers at the man. That nickname…Candycane…brings forward a whole gallery of mental images that have no business running through my head. Not now, not ever. The internal battle to stay far away from Rose is already hard enough without the sight of her in a fucking costume, showing so much ass that a thong would have covered more skin.
“It’s fine,” I grumble. This isn't her fault. The way we’ve always treated her was never her fault. I can blame Holden all I want, but the truth is that none of us are innocent when it comes to Rose.
Not a pure thought in the room. Except maybe from Romeo. The gargantuan man is like a living teddy bear. And he has a specific type. Sure, he’s a bit of a fuckboy, but he’d never even consider hitting on Rose. Unlike the other men currently in this room, hedoessee Rose as Holden’s sister…
I watch Holden as he looks at her. That same fucking look in his eyes from when we were teens. Love. Devotion. Desire. Unadulterated need. Pure fucking want. My boy has it bad, and he always has.
“Just don't blame me for the noises you hear at night,” I say, smirking as my fuckboy mask slips back on. “Holden’s the worst of us, and you two are sharing a wall. Better invest in some soundproof headphones.” I shake my head, walking away, so I can retreat to my room. That won’t be enough to scare her off, but I have to try… “Welcome home, Candycane!”
We are oh so completely fucked.
CHAPTER THREE
“Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift
ROSE
