“Who’s that?” came barked next to me as a plate was deposited on the table next to my arm.
I glanced up. Wreck stood there, staring down at me. Did he ever not glare?
“Um, a friend.”
“Eat” was all he said before stepping back into the kitchen where Zion was.
I glanced down at the plate and found two grilled cheese sandwiches. My stomach growled loud enough both my brother and Wreck looked over.
“See, he forgets to eat when he’s studyin’ too,” Zion supplied. Wreck’s gaze narrowed once again as he grunted. It had me wondering if he grunted like that when he came.
Sighing, I pushed that thought away and picked up a sandwich. I put my music back on, since it wasn’t so loud they wouldn’t be able to talk to one another, and as I ate, I forced my mind back into my work.
It wasn’t until I’d written my last note that I dropped my pen and stretched. Opening my eyes, I saw Zion, Wreck, and Death looking at me from where they sat at the end of the table.
“When did you get here?” I asked, reaching out to stop my music.
Death and Zion chuckled, while Wreck’s lips twitched, but he didn’t indulge in the hilarity the others had found.
“What?”
“Kid, you are somethin’ else,” Death said.
“What?” I asked again.
“I got here about twenty minutes ago, came in, said hi, you ignored me, and since then been shootin’ the shit and watchin’ you totally in your own fuckin’ world. No wonder Wreck was worried you’d get killed. Lock the damn door when you’re home alone.”
“I second that,” Zion said. “Bro, I didn’t realize how bad you were until now. When you get into your head, nothin’ will pull you out until you’re done.”
Rolling my eyes, I stood and picked up my plate. “I’m not that bad.”
“Kid, we could have had a ragin’ party, and you wouldn’t have heard shit.”
“That’s unlikely.”
“Bro, seriously, you’re like in your own bubble and nothin’ will get through. You need to make sure you still know what’s goin’ on around you. Are you like that when you go to the library?”
“No, I’m more aware.” I moved off into the kitchen and knew they were all looking at me.
“I’m callin’ bullshit,” Death said.
“Dammit, Lucas. It’s fine to do it here, as long as you lock the doors—”
“And windows,” Wreck added.
Zion nodded. “And windows, but don’t do it anywhere else. People could steal off you, and you wouldn’t even know it’s happenin’.”
“They could slip him something, and he wouldn’t know,” Wreck added.
Dropping my plate into the sink, I spun back around, tripped, and stumbled forward before righting myself and snapping, “I’m twenty-two years old.”
“He’s twenty-two?” Death asked.
“Twenty-two?” Wreck mimicked, eyes narrowing. “I was sure eighteen at least.”
“He’s always looked young,” Zion said.
I growled in the back of my throat in annoyance, and they all smiled at me, even Wreck. Like I was some cute little puppy. “I’m twenty-two and I can take care of myself. Nothing has happened—”
“Yet,” Wreck put in.
I scowled at him. “Nothing has or will happen. I’m not a kid who needs coddling, so effing quit it.”
“Effing?” Death asked, smirking.
“He means fuckin’,” Zion said and then shrugged. “He doesn’t like to swear.” They chuckled.
I threw my hands up in the air and stalked by them to the hallway. I would hide in my room until they were gone. It was Friday night after all, and I was sure they’d be off partying soon. Only then I remembered I hadn’t replied to Kylo, so I turned back around and thumped my feet back out to the table where— My phone wasn’t there.
“Where’s my phone?”
“Who’s Kylo?” Wreck asked. He had my phone in his hand on the table.
“Isn’t he the prospect?” Death asked.
Zion laughed. “Which one?”
Death drummed his fingers on the table in thought and then said, “Yeah, he was the one that was here that night. Hey, are you two a thing now?”
Oh my God. They were here to drive me insane. Screw my fantasies about Wreck or how good-looking Death was. I was going to kill them. As soon as I found a way to do it where I didn’t have other bikers hunting me down when they found out.
“It’s none of anyone’s business. Pass me my phone.” I leaned over the table with my hand held out.
“No, seriously, are you two datin’ or somethin’? He shouldn’t be goin’ after my brother,” Zion said with a snarl.
“We’re not dating,” I yelled, straightening with my hands on my hips.
Everyone went quiet and stared at me, as if waiting for an explanation.
“Did he reject you?” Zion asked darkly. “I’ll kill the little fucker for rejectin’ you.”
“I’ll help,” Death added.
This was one effed-up situation, and my head spun from it.
Before Wreck could join in on the threats, I said, “No, he didn’t reject me.” Zion went to open his mouth, but I shot my hand out and up. “Stop. Don’t say anything else.” I took a breath. “Kylo and I are just friends. Again, not that it’s anyone’s business. And even if we were dating…” I blushed. “Um…” I forgot what I was saying because I really couldn’t believe I was talking to three men about my nonexistent dating life with a guy. “Look, let’s, ah, leave it at it’s no one’s business.”
They all looked at one another, making my body tense up. “What was that?” I demanded, pointing at all of them.
“What?” Zion asked casually, leaning back in his seat.
“That look,” I stated.
“There was no look,” Wreck said with a smile, and that smile made me stupid because it was stunning.
“I… you….” I growled again before reaching over, snatching up my phone, and stalking from the room while three men laughed behind me.
In my room, I closed my door and went straight to my bed and lay down. The scene rolled around in my head, and I still couldn’t make sense of it. Yes, it was
