Chapter 9 #2
I felt a jet of adrenaline at the thought of Phoenix taking Courtney home. A drunk Courtney who would be up for anything and all over him. My stupid comment about how Nix was free to screw whoever he wanted, but not in our house, was swimming through my thoughts.
“But she lives on the other side of town. Can’t Michael and Cash take her?” I suggested moving towards where the guys stood, planning Courtney’s rescue. You could tell from their body language that the boys with her didn’t have the best intentions. I gritted my teeth and inhaled a deep breath.
“Sorry, man. No can do. My mother would flip if she pukes in the car,” Michael explained.
“It’s fine, we’re on it. Let’s do this,” Reed said to Phoenix.
“We’ll see you guys back at the house,” Nix said, his eyes lingering on mine.
“Look after my hoodie, Baby Sawyer.” I knew it was one of his favorites.
I gave him a tight-lipped nod. He knew I didn’t want him anywhere near Courtney after that night at the house.
If he didn’t come back with Reed, I would burn his hoodie; fear of fire be damned.
“What about Storm?” I shouted as they started to walk away.
“I put her to bed earlier. She’s fine.” Reed called over his shoulder.
I watched as the boys approached the threesome on the other side of the pool. Courtney’s eyes lit up when they landed on Phoenix. The college boys instantly backed off, clearly shitting bricks at the size of both Sawyer Brothers.
As Phoenix lifted her into his arms, I almost lost it, but Cash appeared at my side.
“Sorry about earlier,” he said. I turned to face him, averting my eyes from Phoenix. Why couldn’t Reed have carried her? And now I was angry all over again. I knew I should be thankful that Phoenix was doing the right thing and saving a girl from who knew what, but I wasn’t. Selfish of me, I know.
I released a sigh of frustration as I looked up into Cash’s Ken doll features. He was the first boy to show interest in me, and why not embrace that? “It’s fine. It wasn’t your fault. Phoenix was acting like a dick.”
The others were saying their goodbyes and preparing to leave.
“Well, I got the vibe that there’s more than something brotherly going on between you two. If that’s the case, it’s fine. But if not…” he trailed off.
I took a deep breath, not sure how to respond. I was so confused. Phoenix’s behavior was probably all about bragging rights and his need to control me.
Tugging my backpack further onto my shoulders, I answered truthfully.
“I can’t say for sure, Cash. His behavior tonight surprised me, to be honest. Most of the time, he treats me like a kid.
It’s probably a case of he doesn’t want me, but he doesn’t want anyone else to have me either. We have a history, you see.”
“A history? Like a romantic one?”
“No, not really. A friendship, I suppose,” I explained, pushing my hands into the pockets of my shorts.
Cash raked a hand through his blonde locks. “Well, do you like him now? You know, in that way?”
“I don’t know. Sometimes? Most of the time, I want to punch him in the face.”
“So, you’re not closed off then,” Cash said, scratching his jaw.
“Maybe it’s best if we just leave it. I don’t want to cause any trouble between you two.”
He scowled. “I’m not scared of Phoenix, and so if you’re not closed off and open. I’d still like to take you out.”
Cash Ryan was a normal guy with no skeletons from what I could tell, unlike Phoenix and me. There was an entire graveyard in our closets. Why not give the guy a chance?
“Maybe?”
“That’s good enough for me.”
I exchanged numbers with him, but didn’t feel as excited as I should.
We all said our goodbyes and thanked Mayor Summers as we passed him in the driveway to his house. He asked if we all had rides home and told us to stay safe.
As Hudson helped an unsteady Molly towards his truck with Josh and Verity, I was watching Mrs. Dexter turn her car around as Cash appeared by my side.
He kissed me on the cheek before jogging off towards his ride. Had I done the right thing by giving him my number?
So, what? You only live once.
I almost died in a fire, and so I certainly wasn’t the type to burn my bridges.
* * * * *
On the journey home, I received three messages from Cash. A barely conscious Molly saw his name as the screen on my cell lit up, and I was bombarded with questions. I attempted to mask my discomfort as Hudson’s eyes drilled into the top of my head through the rearview mirror.
Eventually, Molly fell asleep, and I was thankful for the silence.
Once Hudson had dropped Josh and Verity off at the end of their street, we finally arrived home to the sound of Molly’s cute kitten-like sores.
The girl still looked perfect even though she was unconscious.
There was no drool at the side of her mouth or snot, just flushed cheeks and a sweet smile on her face.
Ma was in bed, and there was no sign of Reed or Phoenix. Not that I had expected them to beat us back, as I knew Courtney lived in the next neighborhood. Savage frustration ripped through my body. Fuck the Courtney Swans of this world.
Hudson had to carry Molly to his bedroom, quietly so Ma didn’t wake up. I helped them with their shit and then went to the bathroom.
I felt sticky and uncomfortable, and my skin still smelled of chlorine, so I had the fastest shower known to man before heading back to my room.
Whilst I was slipping on my shortie PJs, I heard the front door go and then whispers and shuffling on the stairs. That had to be Reed and Phoenix.
I was dying to peek outside, but then I heard the telltale sound of a female voice. A giggling female voice, and I realized one of the boys had brought a girl back.
My stomach sank. I knew it wouldn’t be Reed as he’d already confessed to having put Storm to bed. And out of all my brothers, Reed was the choosiest when it came to girls. I knew he wouldn’t have sex with anyone else if he were sleeping with Storm. The girl would have his balls as earrings.
So, it had to be Phoenix and her… Courtney. So much for taking her home.
Ignoring the sound of them crashing around, I sat on my bed with my arms folded, glaring at my door.
Fuck them both. I should just leave them to it.
Phoenix Carter was clearly a cake-and-eat-it type of man.
He didn’t give a crap about me, not really.
So, what the heck was that whole shit with Cash about?
Again, that same thought kept circling my head; he doesn’t want you, but he doesn’t want anyone else to have you.
Dragging a hairbrush through my hair, I brushed my teeth. I was just about to climb into bed, but then something snapped inside of me.
After Nix’s territorial behavior with Cash and the attempt to frighten the guy off, I decided two could play that game.
Pushing to my feet, I left my room and headed for Nix’s, feeling the most furious I had for months. Several scenes of what I may find were teeming in my head.
My heart was doing gymnastics in my chest as I stared at the barrier between me and who knew what.
Without knocking, I opened his door and stormed inside. There was nothing delicate about my entry as I stumbled, catching my shoulder on the frame. Pure, consuming jealousy pumped through me.
His lamp was on, and the room was dimly lit. Phoenix’s masculine scent was the first thing I noticed as I pushed the door closed and moved into his space.
And there he was, all six feet three inches of manly perfection, standing by his bed in only a pair of black boxer briefs. The muscles on his tattooed back rippled as he turned, the surprise on his face shifting to recognition and something else.
He dropped his cell on the bed and moved towards me.
“Harper? What the fuck?” I should have been the one to use the F-bomb first, but as usual, Phoenix beat me to the punch.
Before I could muster a reply, he powered on with genuine concern.
“Is something wrong? Are you hurt?” he said gruffly, taking me by my shoulders and scanning his eyes over my body.
His thorough assessment made goosebumps appear on my flesh as his gaze touched every part of my exposed skin.
I felt my nipples harden under that scrutiny.
He looked appallingly sober, considering he must have sunk an entire bottle of tequila (and the rest).
Pulling out of his hold, I folded my arms across my braless chest, only too aware that I wore no panties beneath my sleep shorts. I needed to clear my head, thoughts of his betrayal stiffening my spine. “Where is she?”
Nix’s brow creased as he drifted a curious glance around the room.
“Who?” Who indeed. There was no way I would allow him to worm his way out of it.
I’d heard Courtney with my own ears. She was in the house when he had promised he wouldn’t bring any more girls back.
Or had he promised that? Shit. I faintly recalled throwing our proposed truce back in his face.
My gaze dipped to his chiselled abs, my stomach fluttering at the sight. I dared not look any further south in fear of my eyes bulging from my head. I was standing in Phoenix’s bedroom, and all that sat between me and his junk was a tiny strip of black silk.
“You know very well who. That skank Courtney,” I hissed, dropping my arms and bending to glance under his mattress.
As I pushed back to my feet, his eyes drilled into mine. “She’s not under the fucking bed. How clichéd do you think I am?” Phoenix said, motioning the space there with a flick of his hand.
Shaking my head, I started to pace before him, glancing back between each word. “Oh, they broke the mold when they made you, Phoenix Carter.”
“Don’t second-name me, Harper. You’re out of line.”
I stopped and placed my hands on my hips. “Out of line? You lied to me.”
He exhaled, his nostrils flaring as he took a step toward me. “Keep your voice down, and how did I lie?”
“She’s here, I know she is. I heard her whiny voice as you thundered up the stairs together.”
A weariness washed over his features as he glanced up at the ceiling. Before I could stop myself, I stole a glance at his crotch. He wasn’t hard, but I could clearly see the outline of his cock as it lurked beneath his underwear.
“She’s in bed asleep.”
Shit, I lifted my chin.
“What?” I replied, realising he’d probably seen me checking out his junk. I glanced over at his perfectly made bed.
“In Micah’s room.”
I felt a twinge of pain in my chest. Dropping my hands, I stepped forward, sticking out my jaw, glaring up at the tower that was Nix. “That was quick. What’s wrong? Brewer's droop?”
I tried to stop my mouth from watering as he caressed his chest with the fingers on one hand. A puzzled expression spread across his handsome face. “Brewers what?”
Wafting a hand, I explained. “It’s something Molly says when… You know.”
He released a puff of air and raised his hand to massage the back of his neck. “I get it, erectile dysfunction, when a guy can’t get it up. Poor Hudson.” He added the bit about Hudson with his signature smirk.
Shit, now I was saying that Hudson had issues in that department when, as far as I was aware, he didn’t. “I didn’t say she was talking about Hudson, and stop changing the subject.” I continued to wave my hand around to state that he was missing my point.
I shoved him in the chest. His body was like a rock.
Nix lowered his dark head, his eyes flashing his annoyance. “What subject? You barging into my room like a bunny boiling psycho?”
“Nobody’s boiling anything. You interfered in my sex life, and if I’m not getting any, you’re not either.”
We both looked at my finger as it prodded in between his pectoral muscles.
I gasped as he captured my wrist and pulled me towards him. “Hey, if you’ve got an itch to scratch, baby girl, look no further.”
Struggling to free my wrist, I used my other hand to put some space between our bodies. Everything was going into overdrive. “You’re such a creep. Can you at least keep your dick in your pants long enough to have a conversation? And what the hell was the finger sucking shit about?”
“What? They were sticky? Can’t a brother help his little sister?”
“That wasn’t you being brotherly, and we both know it,” I shot back. “You were sucking my fingers as if—as if,” the words wouldn’t come out.
“As if what?” he bit back with a smirk. His half-grin could still melt an iceberg, but I would not back down.
“As if you were sucking something else.” There, it was rushed, but I said it.
“Maybe you should get your mind out of the gutter.”
I gave him an incredulous look, and he released my wrist, taking a step forward. “OK, I was making a point,”
His action made me retreat a step, and we started to do this circling thing. I should have run, but it was like he’d cast a spell on me. I felt very aware that we were alone and almost naked. I laughed humorlessly. “About what? How to act like a dick?
Nix grabbed his junk and stated. “You seem to be fixated on my dick; why is that, do you think?”
I glanced down, and the scene of him clutching his cock almost floored me. I couldn’t believe how turned on I was by such a filthy mouth. I didn’t grace his question with an answer; well, not a truthful one anyway. “I have no fucking clue.” My voice was super high-pitched.
He released himself and folded his arms. “Stop cursing, it doesn’t suit you.” Phoenix peered down his nose at me, like he was master of all he surveyed.
I stomped my foot. “Don’t tell me what I can and cannot do, you’re not my father, and you're certainly not my brother.” I turned away, showing him my back, but he didn’t like that.
A hard hand grabbed my good shoulder and spun me back to face him. “Good, I never wanted to be either!” he whisper-shouted.
I glanced towards his door, fear of waking Ma making me lower my voice. “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
Phoenix let go of me and heaved out a breath of exasperation, before he explained.
“I brought Courtney back as she didn’t have her house keys.
That meant I would have to wake her grandma, and she is one mean motherfucker.
I had to make sure she got back somewhere safe.
That’s why I brought her here. The only reason.
What type of man would I be to have left her with two wasted strangers? ”
My shoulders slumped. “I don’t know. I feel like I don’t know who you are anymore.”
Phoenix watched me with a tired expression, and I realized it wasn’t the right time to analyze the shit between us. “You and me both, Harper. But I could say the same about you.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re so down and defeatist these days. Where’s the girl I knew, the one full of hopes and dreams of a better place?”
My legs wobbled as I stared up at him through my lashes. “Maybe she got tired of waiting.”