I can’t believe he’d think so little of me. That he’d honestly believe I’d betray my brother like that. That he honestly thinks I’d go back to Ian after all he’s put me through.
It’s like Jake doesn’t know me at all anymore.
Chewing on my lower lip, I fight back my disappointment and murmur, “I don’t want you to come help me pick up my stuff.”
“Reese––”
“Nope. I just got out of a relationship. A pretty painful one, actually, and not only did you just throw it all in my face, but you assumed I’m a girl who would spread her legs for a stranger after she was specifically told not to by her older brother, who happens to be helping her out a lot right now. You came into this kitchen with your ammunition locked and loaded without even bothering to ask questions. I don’t want someone who has that much animosity pointed directly at me to pretend they’re on my side.”
Regret oozes from his pores as he drops his chin to his chest in shame. “Reese––”
“I’m going to go wash up. I’ll be back down in a few. Then we can go get my stuff because Ian and I are through”––I glare at Jake––“for good this time. But thank you so much for your confidence.”
Turning on my heel, I rush down the hall and up the stairs like a demon is chasing me when I know it’s my own insecurities that are haunting me more than anything Jake said.
He hit a nerve. And whether I wanted to hear it or not, I can’t help the questions that pop into my head as I replay our conversation.
Can I stay strong this time? Will he let me go without a fight?
My head is a hurricane of chaos and self-doubt as I round the corner and crash into a hard, naked chest that’s still damp from the shower. As if I’ve been shocked, my mouth and eyes both open wide, and I freeze in the arms of a man wearing nothing but a towel.
What is it with the men in this house not wearing shirts?!
And why do I keep running into them?
“Shit, Reese, you okay?”
I blink a handful of times, convinced I’m seeing things as I take in the almost naked man in front of me. “Gibbs?”
He stares back at me as if I belong in an insane asylum. “Hey.”
“What the hell are you doing in my house?”
A low chuckle vibrates from his chest and through my hands that are currently cupping a pair of toned pecs. I pull away but still feel his heated skin against my palms like an aftershock. We’re just friends. I mean, he’s definitely one of the hottest friends I’ve ever had, but…
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that question?” he counters.
“Huh?”
“This was my house first.”
“I think you’re mistaken.”
His mouth stretches into a grin. “Oh, am I?”
“Yup. This house belongs to Milo, Jake, River, and Sonny. Your name is Gibbs, and as I previously just stated, your name is not on that list.”
“To be fair neither is yours,” he teases. My eyes transform into tiny slits, daring him to keep up this charade before he explains, “My full name is Gibson. The guys call me Sonny.”
“You’re Sonny?” I balk.
“In the flesh.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I thought you knew.”
“Bullshit.”
“Seriously,” he defends himself. “I really did. Why else do you think I asked if you were ready to go home this morning at the grocery store? Did you think it was my not-so-subtle way of asking you to move in or something? I mean, you’re hot and all, but, a––we barely know each other, b––your brother would kill me if I touched you, and c––we’ve agreed to be just friends, remember?”
“Har, har,” I return, my face reddening.
When I don’t say anything else, he rocks back on his heels and adds, “I’m sorry if you thought I was keeping the truth from you. Should we start over, by chance?”
Staying silent, I peek up at him and shrug one shoulder. Despite my embarrassment over the situation, I think he’s telling the truth.
“You mean, start over again? Since we’ve already done this once today?” I ask, unamused.
His smile widens before he extends his right hand for me to take. “Hi. I’m Gibson. My guy friends call me Sonny, but you can call me Gibbs or Gibson.” He shrugs. “Or Sonny for all I care. Apparently, we’re roommates and will be sharing a bathroom for the foreseeable future. Nice to meet you.”
I place my hand in his and shake it once. “I’m Reese, Milo’s sister. I’m a bit of a mess and have trust issues with people of the opposite sex.” I pause before correcting myself. “Actually, with people in general. Nice to meet you too. Again.”
Dipping his chin in acknowledgment, he releases me from his firm grip. “Now that’s a proper introduction, Reese With Trust Issues. I’m gonna go get dressed. Then we’ll get your stuff. Deal?”
I gulp. “You don’t need to come. You know that, right? I didn’t spill all my problems at the grocery store in hopes of you fixing them.”
“I know that. In fact, I’m pretty sure you opened up to me because you thought I couldn’t help fix your problems. That being said, we’re roommates. When you live under this roof, you have four guys willing to go to bat for you. And that, my friend, is exactly what we’re going to do today. Understand?”
Clearing my throat, my eyes gather with tears, but I keep them at bay.
I’ve never had a group of guys willing to rally behind me before. Well, other than Milo and Jake. But they don’t really count because Milo’s my brother and Jake is… Well, he’s Jake. He’s also topping my shit list and is trailing right behind Ian at the moment, which is saying something because Ian is a giant asshole who can go to hell.
Sensing I’m lost in my head, Gibbs prods, “You okay?”
“Uh…yeah. And yeah,” I repeat. “I understand. You’ve got my back, and so does everyone else under this roof.”
“Good.” He nods. “And don’t forget it.”
7
Reese
My leg bounces up and down like a jackhammer as I sit between two burly bodies in the back seat of River’s truck. Palms slick with sweat, my phone vibrates again with another incoming message.
Everyone in the car is chatting about football season while my anxiety reaches a whole new level. As if I’m a spy, I peek down at my screen. Ian’s name flashes across it.
Ian: Hey, baby. You done playing this game yet? Ready to come home?
I swallow the lump in my throat then glance around me at the two guys caging me into the middle seat. Gibbs is on my left while Milo is on my right. Behind the steering wheel, River adjusts his aviator sunglasses before making some smartass comment about Jake’s mom. The car rumbles with laughter, but I’m too distracted to follow along.
Taking a deep breath, I debate if I should ask if he’s home or not because this will be so much easier if he isn’t. He’s not stupid, though. He’ll know what I’m searching for if I’m not careful, and I honestly don’t want to see him again. My teeth dig into my lower lip as I weigh my options before carefully typing out a message.