Chapter 7 - Gina
I woke up to my alarm and groaned. I rolled over, reached for the alarm, and quickly turned it off. I lay still for a moment, tempted to just go back to bed until I heard footsteps and quickly remembered I wasn't in my own place.
I sat up and surveyed my room, the spare room in Lucas's apartment. The room was blue, the ceiling all the way to the brown wicker floors. The room's aesthetic was clean and crisp—a simple bed with white bedding. A gold lamp is to the left of the bed, and a white dresser is on the opposite side of the room. The room was simple, and I wondered if Lucas had ever used it.
I shook the thought off and pulled myself up, needing coffee. I wasn't a morning person, but I had things that I needed to get done.
I pulled my suitcase open and scanned everything I brought. It wasn't a lot so I was going to need to go shopping. I grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a shirt and threw them on. I quickly pulled my hair into a messy bun before leaving my room.
I headed down a long hallway with two doors—one to the right and one to the left. Lucas had given me a quick rundown. The bathroom was to the left, and his room was to the right. I found both doors were open.
The bathroom was spacious, with a large walk-in shower and a two-sink vanity. As I stood there, I smelled something I couldn't put my finger on. But my eyes quickly went to Lucas's room. Much like mine, his room was simple. Instead of blue, it was a deep green with brown bedding. There was a dresser on the opposite wall of the bed and a large palm tree in the corner.
I continued down the hallway until it opened to a large living room. The living room had a wall of windows showing the beautiful sunrise. I stood still for a moment, just soaking it in.
I heard movement and turned my attention toward where the kitchen was. I stiffened as I realized that Lucas stood in it naked.
Well, not entirely. As he moved, I could see the band of boxers on his hips. I didn't mean to stare, but I found I couldn't help myself. Lucas had always been fit, but this was another level. He was built. He wasn't bulky and shredded like a bodybuilder, but as he moved, I could see his muscles flex, and I couldn't deny it was something.
I walked closer, and Lucas looked up from his coffee and frowned. "Shit." He looked down and then back up at me. "Sorry, I was working overnight and just got out of the shower. I didn't think you'd be up for a while."
That explained the smell. It was pine mixed with cedar.
He rubbed at his face. "Do you need any coffee? I just put a pot on."
I nodded, slinking into a chair on the island. I looked around the kitchen. It was simple. It had no cabinets, just floating shelves where Lucas had plates, bowls, and cups lined up neatly. There was a double sink, and even the countertops were pretty bare. There was just the coffee maker and a microwave. Nothing else.
It was clear Lucas liked things clean and organized.
I almost smirked, wondering what he would think of my apartment if he saw it. Since I spent so much time inside, I brought everything I missed indoors. My living room was filled with plants and artwork. Books covered every spot I could, and things were everywhere.
After a moment of silence, Lucas gave me a cup of coffee, and I instantly took a deep sip of it. To my surprise, it was good.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked, and my eyes flickered to the band strap on his hips. I wished to say that I had spoken with men in underwear before, but I hadn't. Since no one in town would even speak with me, much less try for a relationship, most of my relationships have been online.
I've never really had a good relationship. I'd tried, but when it got serious, I would start to panic. If they visited, they would see what my life was like and dump me. I'd made the mistake once and wasn't going to repeat it.
"I’d like to talk about Chris, but not until you put some clothes on."
Lucas took a sip from his coffee and sighed. "Gina, we're both adults and honestly, you'll probably see me like this a couple of times, so you should get used to it."
I glared. "So what? I can walk around in my underwear, and you will just have to accept it?"
"What? No, you can't."
"Well, if I can't, then you can't."
Lucas groaned, rubbing at his eyes. "Gina, it's far too early for this."
"Then put some pants on."
Lucas leaned back and sighed, then turned and headed down the hallway. The space grew quiet for a moment before he came back, waving a hand at his shorts. "Happy."
I wanted to ask him to wear a shirt, but I didn't. I nodded as he walked back, shaking his head. "You still didn't answer my question."
"What was the question?"
"How did you sleep?"
"Oh," I blinked, not realizing he'd asked. "I slept well. Thank you."
Lucas nodded, taking another sip of his coffee. I clutched mine and swallowed. "So, about Chris."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"He's coming tomorrow and wants to have a meeting. He has to check the house because of the fire and said that since he's going to be here, he might as well stop by and chat. For me to stay in the house, we have to sign some paperwork. I don't know what your plans are, but you should be there."
Lucas nodded. "What time?"
"Tomorrow afternoon around four. It shouldn't take long."
Lucas snorted. "Knowing Chris, it will. He's a talker."
I frowned, a little envious. Lucas knew everyone in a different light than I did. Lucas, like my brother, was the prize jewel. He was treated with respect, and his parents loved him. There weren't many photos here, but he did have one in the guest room.
I fell quiet, and Lucas noticed. "What?"
I shook my head. "Nothing."
He scowled. "You made a face."
I shrugged. "I just…you know him differently than I do."
Lucas snorted. "No, pretty sure we both know he is a pompous ass that needs to get a handle on his ego."
"Well, yeah, but I meant he's nice to you."
Lucas shrugged. "Not really. Chris isn't nice to anyone. He's a prick, and everyone knows it."
I shrugged. "Either way, it would be best if you were here, so hopefully, you can be tomorrow."
"I'm free."
"We are going to need rings," I said. "Or at least I will need an engagement ring."
Lucas looked down at my finger and then up at me. "I can swing by the shop."
"I can buy a ring," I said. "I just didn't want you to be shocked when I did."
Lucas scowled. "You can't buy your own ring. You don't want Lucas to know, then you let me buy the ring."
"I can pay you back for it," I quickly added.
Lucas just glared, not even responding to me. He took another sip of his coffee and rolled his shoulders. "Anything else? If not, I'm going to bed."
I shook my head as he rounded the counter and then headed down the hallway. I heard the soft click of his door and stared at my coffee.
I swirled the coffee in my mug, knowing I had a list of things I needed to get done. I needed to buy some clothes and a few other essentials since I was going to be here for a while. I also wanted to stop at the house and see what I would need to start renovations on the house.
But before I could think of that, I realized I hadn't been online. I left my coffee, headed back to my room, grabbing my computer out of my bag. I sat down on the bed and opened it.
I quickly logged in on my platform and found a couple of emails waiting.
After high school, I found that I was really skilled online and got a degree in computer science and engineering. I quickly got jobs and ended up doing extra schooling online to make myself a shiny unicorn of sorts. I had businesses lining up, wanting me to check their network to create a security system altogether.
I made good money, which I had never known what to spend on. I had thought of buying a house, but I never wanted to stay in the pack, but I never knew where else to go. Now, with the house, I knew it was going to need a lot to get it back to a beautiful home.
After settling in, I quickly responded to the emails and decided that I could get started on actual work the next day.
I decided to shower and get ready for the day. I put on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and left the house. Lucas lived in an apartment complex just a few blocks from downtown, so I walked.
The town was peaceful. It was nice to walk down the street and not feel that all eyes were on me for once. An older couple walked by and waved, and I gave a forced smile.
I saw a small boutique and headed inside. The space was bursting with colors and smelt like flowers. I smiled, seeing cute outfits throughout the store.
"Good morning. Can I help you find anything?" An older woman stood just a few feet away, watering a plant.
"I'm new in town and looking for some clothes since I'll be staying here a while. I didn't pack enough clothes for the stay."
"Well, you look around and let me know if you need any help. My name is Libby."
I gave her a soft smile and started to walk around, taking everything in. There were tons of stunning outfits that were all my style. I decided on a couple of dresses and an outfit with a pair of pants and a green blouse. As I brought them to the registry, she smiled. "That was fast."
I have always been a fast shopper. I make quick decisions because, normally, I spend all the time having someone staring at me.
I smiled at her. "If I like it, I buy it."
"I like your thinking," she said, scanning the documents. So, where are you staying?"
"Uhmmm, West Flint Avenue, house 415. It's actually a family house that I'm inheriting."
Her hands froze, and her eyes widened. "You mean the Pederson family house?"
I suddenly regret bringing it up. I slowly nodded. "The very one."
"And you inherited it?"
I nodded. "Sort of….Though my great grandmother has made it…complicated."
Libby snorted. "That doesn't surprise me. That pack certainly runs things differently than we do." Libby's eyes looked me up and down. "I'm not getting the sense you’re like them. So, you should fit in just fine."
I didn't know what to say, and I just stood there with my mouth open, slightly stunned.
After I paid, I slipped out while going over her words. Run things differently. I was gathering that, but I figured all packs ran it the way we did. If you were weak, you were worth nothing.
I headed to a warehouse, trying to shake it off. As I walked down the light aisle, taking in all the different chandeliers and stung-up lights, I grew giddy with anticipation. For once, I could make a place my own, and I didn't need to worry about losing it. I made my apartment my own but always knew I would leave. If everything worked out and Lucas and I could pull this off, I could finally get the peaceful, calm life I wanted.