He looks at me with disgust. “Don’t be fucking stupid!”
That is stupid. I’m rattled. Exhaling hard, I count to ten in my mind before saying, “I’m sorry. She was more to me than just some chick, Aidan, but it’s not like that for me anymore, and I thought for her too.”
His anger flares. “She’s the fiancée of one of your best friends and the sister to the other. Don’t be the man people accuse you of being. Gavin, you’re better than that. Stay the fuck away from her.”
If he thinks I let him move in here so he can lecture me, he’s got another think coming. He can’t fucking tell me about who to be with when he makes the same shitty decisions when it comes to the female species.
“I couldn’t help how I felt. There was something about her that drew me in and I think it may have been because she was off limits. That’s really shitty of me, but it is what it is, and I don’t need a pep talk or a beating from you. Thanks.”
I reach into the fridge and grab another beer. Aidan puts his hand on my shoulder. “Sometimes we have to step aside, Gavin. She’s not meant for you. Trust me, please. There’s only one way this can end.”
I drain the bottle and slam it onto the counter with more force than I should have and stalk to my room. “I just said I don’t feel that way now, Aidan. Fuck.”
I WAKE UP TO the familiar smell of coffee. “Wakey, wakey!”
Mary pushes my door open and saunters in with a mug of coffee. “Morning. How are you feeling? Did you get some sleep?”
I take the cup from her, the heat warming my hands. “Yes. Did you? I heard you come in quite early last night.”
She sighs loudly and collapses onto my bed. Her body bounces and comes to rest. “What’s the deal with Gavin and Gaby?” she asks, resting her head on a propped up hand.
“Why do you ask?”
She sighs again. “Because Gaby wouldn’t shut up about him all night and then she went over there and slapped him.”
I nearly spit my coffee on her. I manage to swallow what was in my mouth, but it makes me cough and my eyes water.
“Shit, are you okay?” She jumps up and starts patting my back. The front door opening and closing followed by the sound of heavy footsteps pounding through the apartment draws our attention.
Gavin appears in my room.
“I need you.”
He crawls over my bed into the space next to me. His face burrows into the pillows and I find myself running my fingers through his hair.
“Has this got anything to do with Gaby beating you up?” I ask, smirking at Mary, who sniggers and crawls over the bottom of my bed, resting her head on his calves.
He mumbles something into the pillow.
“What was that?” I laugh, and he turns his head and looks up at me. His eyes drop to my attire, and he grins and lifts the quilt, poking his head under the covers. When he looks back up at me, he’s pouting, which makes me bark out a laugh.
“You’re wearing bottoms?”
“I learnt my lesson when your brother walked in and found me in my underwear,” I say, and sip my coffee.
“Yeah. Lucky bastard.” He moans and shifts his body so he’s lying on his back, lifting Mary’s head, and then putting it back down.
“So the guy that called us tramps was your brother, huh?” Mary asks, and I nearly lose my mouthful again.
“What?” I screech.
Gavin groans. “He didn’t know who they were. He thought I had loose women coming by already.”
Mary and I shake our heads.
“Your brother’s a hottie,” Mary informs him.
He raises his eyebrows. “Oh, really? Because people say we could be twins, and yet you say I’m not your type.”
“Dream on, Gavin. He is definitely the hot brother.”
I duck behind my mug to hide my snigger.
“I can see your tits moving, Antonia.”
I look down and bite my lip.
“Wow, Gavin. You really are a perv,” Mary says.
“You’re just jealous that I’m not checking out your rack,” he bites back.
“You saying there’s something wrong with my tits?”
He pulls an indifferent face. “They’re neither here nor there, to be frank.” He grins at me with an I’ve won smile.
I shake my head knowing full well he hasn’t won yet. Mary stands up and raises her tank top. She has no bra on and her full breasts sit nicely on her chest, her nipples peaking
“What do you think, Antonia?”
I look over to Gavin, whose jaw is agape.
“Holy shit!”
“Well, Mary, I think you have an incredible rack, and going by the dribble on Gavin’s chin, I believe he thinks so too.”
“Erm, are we interrupting?”
Mary drops her top quickly.
“Gabe.” For someone as big as him, he moves around like a ninja. We didn’t even hear the door go.
Putting my mug down, I jump up and go to hug him. He lifts me from the floor and squeezes.
“Hey, girl!” He kisses my head and puts me back on my feet then points over at Gavin. “What are you doing in her bed, fucker?”
Gavin exhales. “She’s finally come to her senses and we’re in love now.”
Gabe marches over to him and grabs him into a headlock.
“Hey!” Libby bellows, her silhouette forming now Gabe’s frame has moved from the doorway.
“Hey.” I pull her into an embrace. “How was your trip? Did you have fun?” I ask as they both beam at me.
“Oh, yes.”
Gabe keeps looking over to Mary, whose eyes have been watching the carpet since Gabe and Libby arrived. Gavin follows Gabe’s eyes and laughs.
“You’re wondering if there’s a name to go with the tits?” Gavin asks, gaining himself a punch to the arm from Gabe and a swat over the head from Libby.
“Sorry, guys. This is my cousin, Mary. She’s staying with me.”
Libby raises an eyebrow. “The history buff?” She eyes Mary.
I giggle. “Yes. She’s very bright and has become very forward, apparently.” I cock an eyebrow at her and she turns red.
“He asked for it,” she mutters.
Gavin grins. “If that’s the reward, I’ll be asking for a lot more… Ow!” Gavin rubs his arm. “Fuck, Gabe. That one’s going to bruise.”
Gabe points a finger at him. “Haven’t you learnt your lesson yet?”
“So, we’re back and we’ve missed you, so… family dinner tonight?” Libby asks enthusiastically.
“Actually I was planning on inviting you all to my apartment for a house warming. I’ll buy dinner,” Gavin offers.
“You moved?” Gabe asks, confused.
“Yeah, and you should see my NEIGHBORs. Wowzer.”
Gabe rolls his eyes. “Please don’t lay your NEIGHBOR, Gav. Have you ever heard the term don’t eat where you sleep?”
“His NEIGHBORs would have to like him in order to sleep with him, and I think by the slap she gave him last night, it’s apparent she doesn’t,” Mary informs the room.
Gabe’s eyebrows reach his hairline. “Some chick slap you, dude?” Gavin shakes his head. “I wasn’t referring to that NEIGHBOR.” He scowls at Mary.