“She only cared about Carter. Not even Hayes,” Henry agrees, answering my silent question. “He’s the one who looked and behaved more like William—but in a cool, unselfish, unprickish way.”
“I wish I had met him,” I say.
Blaire has nothing but great things to say about Carter. These guys seem to have loved him the most.
“Speaking of mistresses,” Pierce changes the subject radically. We all stare at him. “Martina’s lawyer called me while you disappeared.”
“Why you?” Henry asks.
“Because the other lawyer doesn’t understand what she needs,” he states. “In other words, it might not be easy to get rid of her. Her lawyer sent me a revised agreement that you need to sign. She’s not coming next week because this doesn’t require her presence, but it has to be changed soon. After all, her thirty-second birthday is in just a few months. We have to look into that contract and dissolve it fast.”
“You got to be fucking kidding me,” Henry growls, pulling me to him and kissing the top of my head. “Just meet her price. I don’t want to deal with her. If you don’t mind, I’m done with everyone.”
“It’s your turn to cook…or feed us,” Leyla calls after us.
“Yeah, I’ll get on that.”
Getting on that meant cajoling Dad to make us dinner. Henry spends time with Dad, helping him with simple tasks like gathering the ingredients, washing the produce, and setting up the timers. I’m pretty sure the last one is just to keep Henry entertained since he’s constantly asking questions about the meat, the consistency, or random facts about cooking.
During dinner, we get to hang out with Beacon’s bandmates and the famous G who happens to be one of my favorite musicians in the world. During those days that I have to sacrifice my time for Merkel’s sake, Henry repays me with things like gift cards, hockey tickets, or concert tickets. A few of those times they were to watch her play at Carnegie Hall. All those times he joined me. I’m pretty sure he’s a fan too.
Around eight, we all leave for Main Street where Beacon’s people set up the stage. I was looking forward to hanging out with Grace, but it turns out she’s playing with Beacon tonight. Dad stays behind babysitting Arden. I’ve heard Too Far from Grace before, but the music they’re playing today is phenomenal. It’s a combination of classical music with their regular alternative indie punk rock.
I’m not sure what I like the most about this concert, the fact that I’m so close to the musicians that I can almost touch them, the music, or the company. I’m with all the Aldridge brothers, but also, Henry has created a cocoon for with his arms.
“This is the first time I've watched him play live,” Henry whispers in my ear while Grace and Beacon are playing a crazy rift with guitar and violin. “He’s really good.”
“Aww, he’s proud of his little brother,” I joke, patting his cheek and smiling because he’s warming up to his family. If any of these guys need love, that’ll be him.
He kisses my temple, holding me tighter and resting his chin on my shoulder. “Remind me why we didn’t do this before?”
I shiver when I feel his thumb tracing my left boob.
“Going to a Too Far from Grace concert, or letting you feel me up freely?” I ask, stretching my neck and kissing his jaw. “Stop. We’re in public.”
“Maybe both,” he answers nibbling my ear. “I can’t help it. You’re swaying your ass against my cock. I want to eat you, Ms. Aragon. Do you think they’ll notice if we go back to your house or the mansion?”
“Oh god, look at them. It’s disgusting. My best friend and your brother are dripping sweetness and exuding hormones. What could go wrong?” Leyla yells, but hopefully, only we can hear her.
She’s standing next to me. Behind her are Pierce and Mills, so I’m not sure who she is talking to.
“We saw this coming way before they realized it,” Blaire, who is to my right, says, leaning forward so we can hear her. “It’ll be fine, as long as he doesn’t hurt our friend. The odds are against Henry because I’ll dispose of him if she sheds one tear because of him.”
“Shh, you’re interrupting,” Pierce growls at us. “Leave Henry alone. It's his first steady girlfriend. If he’s good, he’ll get to second base by tonight.”
Henry grunts, but I kiss his nose and say, “We’ll get them later.”
It’s almost ten when we arrive at the mansion. Nobody is tired, so we stay in the living room drinking wine and chatting until midnight when Hayes announces he’s taking a sleepy Blaire to their room. Beacon’s bandmates head to his studio while Beac and Grace head to his room. Mills and Vance also excuse themselves and leave. It’s just Pierce, Leyla, Henry, and me cleaning the living room.
“Do you think they are just friends?” Pierce asks, picking up the empty bottles of wine.
I’m not sure what he’s talking about, but Beacon is coming from the stairwell and hisses, “No, we’re best friends, Pierce. If you don’t mind, I’m going to practice with the guys. G is staying in my room.”
“There’s your answer,” Henry says and looks at me. “Come on. Let’s go to my room.”
“As best friends or friends?” Pierce asks, and Henry flips him the finger.
“Hey, Sophia, do you want to stay with me,” I say, imitating a male voice while we climb the stairs. “Gosh, thank you for the invite, but it might be better if I go home.”
He looks at me unamused. “You’re crazy if you think I’m going to let you go. We’re sharing a bed, not fucking.”
“You promised it’d be slow,” I remind him.
“It’s a promise I intend to keep—unless you ask for more. Still, you’re just sleeping with me tonight,” he says as we enter his room.
This place isn’t too different from his brownstone’s bedroom. I guess it’s because I sent Blaire pictures of it while she was buying furniture to decorate the house. I’m about to ask him for a shirt when I remember that I need makeup remover and to wash my face. Since I’ve been staying on and off in the house, I know where they have the toiletries’ closet. Thankfully, they not only have basic soap and shampoo, but also makeup remover, moisturizer, and extra toothbrushes.
“Do you realize that they have this place stashed in case any of you invite the flavor of the day?” I ask Henry while we’re in his bathroom getting ready to go to bed.
“No one has a flavor of anything,” he argues, and asks, “Do you need a T-shirt?”
“T-shirt and a pair of boxers, please,” I request while I floss. “I’m just saying, the place is a semi-bachelor pad. Which makes me wonder why is it that you guys keep ignoring the women of the town?” I yawn.
“Personally? I’ve been ignoring women in general because I have you. Who cares about the rest when you’re in my life?” he says, and my heart flutters.
Who is this guy, and where is the asshole who used to occupy his body?
He moves the decorative pillows and folds the blanket while he continues explaining to me why it is that they are ignoring their admirers, “However, we all agreed that it’ll complicate our lives. If we talk to any of them, they are already wondering if we’ll propose. It’s a don’t crap where you eat kind of situation.”