“I’m joking, Mer. I’d advise against getting involved with anyone in my family. Trust me, having five parents is no walk in the park. Plus, my sister would actually straight-up murder you if you broke Cole’s heart.”
Fat fucking chance of that happening. More like the other way around given Cole’s reputation.
“Really?”
“Rora’s temper is genuinely terrifying.”
I grinned. Aurora Knox had a reputation for being uncompromising.
“Aww, you scared of your big sister?”
“No! Just fed up with her and Duke arguing all the time. Why they won’t move out, I have no idea. Mum likes having her babies under one roof even if we’re not babies anymore.”
“I’m sure she babies Cole more than you.”
Raphi snorted and rolled his eyes.
“You have no idea. If you ever come around my house, you’ll see exactly what kind of bullshit I put up with on a daily basis.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Is that an invitation?”
He eyed me for a long moment.
“You’d actually want to meet my whole family?”
I shrugged. I considered Raphi a friend. We’d known each other for years and not once had he invited me over until now. Though I’d kind of invited myself.
“Sure, maybe I’ll get to see if they’re really as crazy as you say they are.”
He bit his lip and glanced over at his brother, who was still giving us evils.
“Okay. Dinner on Friday, that’s when everyone is home. You can experience us all at the same time. Trust me, Mer, you’ll never want to come back.”
I stared at Cole too, wondering why he looked so pissed off at me and Raphi. What would he think about his brother inviting me to their house?
Why the fuck do you care?
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He picked up his phone. “I’ll let my dad know since he’ll be cooking.”
Maybe it would be fun. Getting an insight into how their parents’ relationship worked could be interesting. Either way, it would be an unforgettable evening in more ways than one. And if it pissed Cole Carter off, so fucking what?
Chapter Two
I rarely got nervous but waiting outside the school building with Raphi to get picked up by his dad had my stomach in knots. And by his dad I meant his actual biological father, not one of the others. The other reason I was feeling all sorts of shit was because his brother had joined us. Cole’s eyes narrowed to slits the moment he saw me.
What the hell is your problem with me, Cole? I’ve done literally nothing to deserve it.
Who knew why he kept glaring. It’s like he couldn’t stand the sight of me. It bothered me. Why that would be the case, I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I didn’t care if Cole Carter liked me or not. I didn’t know the boy. Just because I was friends with his brother, didn’t mean I had to have anything to do with him.
“You actually getting a lift home with Dad today?” Raphi enquired.
“Mum said I had to be home for dinner,” Cole ground out through gritted teeth.
His voice made my spine straighten. There was a deep note to it which made me feel… odd.
“You’re such a mummy’s boy.”
“Fuck off.”
Raphi nudged Cole with his shoulder, who gave him daggers. I looked between them. You could tell they were related as they had the same nose and jawline, but otherwise, they couldn’t be more different. Raphi had a slimmer build. Cole’s shoulders were broader, and his build more muscular. They both towered over my five-foot-five frame.
Stop eyeballing them. Raphi is your friend and Cole is… well… Cole.
“You know Meredith, right?”
Cole’s eyes landed on me. I had a distinct feeling he was not happy to see me, nor that I was coming home with them.
“We’ve never officially met.”
I could’ve stuck my hand out to him, but he was giving off don’t come near me vibes. Too bad for him, I didn’t care. If he was going to be rude, then I’d call him out on it.
“I’m sorry, do you have a problem with me?” I asked, my voice dripping with disdain.
Cole’s eyebrow rose steadily and his eyes darkened as if I’d made him want to strangle me with that simple question.
Why does it make him look so… hot? I need to get a fucking grip. Cole Carter is not hot and I’m not interested in him and his attitude.
“Why would I?”
“The glare you’re sending my way speaks volumes.”
Raphi looked between us with amusement written all over his features.
“Cole glares at everyone.”
“Shut up, Raphi,” Cole muttered.
A car pulled up in front of us. Cole immediately went to the front passenger side and jumped in. Raphi rolled his eyes and walked to the back, opening the door for me.
“Don’t mind grumpy, he’s clearly in a mood… ladies first.”
I stepped forward.
“At least one of you was raised to be a gentleman.”
“You can thank my dad for that.”
I raised an eyebrow. I was about to meet the man in question. Climbing into the car, I scooted across the seats to let Raphi in. He shut the door and grinned.
“Dad, this is Meredith. Mer, my dad, Eric.”
I looked at the man in the driver’s seat. Raphi was almost a carbon copy of him. The same green eyes stared back at me as Eric turned and smiled. His chestnut hair had streaks of grey in it and he was pretty hot for an older guy.
Why are you thinking that about Raphi’s dad? Just stop already! You’ll be perving over his entire family if you don’t get your act together.
“Hello, Meredith, it’s nice to meet you. Didn’t think I’d see the day my son brought a girl home.”
“Dad! I told you we’re friends. Jesus, don’t be embarrassing.”
Eric winked at his son, smiled at me and turned to the front seat, giving Cole a sidelong look.
“Don’t tell your mother.”
“Why? Did she tell you and the others to behave?”
Eric pulled the car away from the curb.
“Something like that.”
Raphi rolled his eyes and sat back. My eyes drifted to Cole, watching his profile as the soft tinkle of music playing on the radio filled the car.
“How was school?”
Cole looked over to Eric.
“Fine.”
“Just fine?”
“It was school, what else do you want me to say?”
Cole’s eyes flicked to mine. His gaze burnt into me, radiating irritation and something else I couldn’t put my finger on. If he was going to look at me like that, I’d just stare right back.
“Cole…”
“Sorry, E,” he muttered. “Just tired.”