CHAPTER 16
Sonnie
I held Cole’s hand under the running water in my bathroom sink and met his eyes in the mirror. “I’m so sorry.”
He shrugged and laughed easily. “It was my fault. You and Drake tried to warn me.”
Price appeared in the bathroom doorway with Monster in his arms, purring away like he was an innocent kitten. “I don’t know what y’all are talking about. This little guy is so sweet.”
I forgot what I was doing with Cole’s hand as I stared at Price with a slack jaw. “What the hell?”
Monster stretched out in Price’s arms and reached his paw up to gently pet the man’s chin. I’d never seen the cat be anything more than accepting to Rosie. He was practically sending heart eyes at Price.
“He likes me.” Price shrugged and scratched Monster’s belly like that wasn’t usually something that started a war for the cat. “He’s cute.”
Cole snorted. “Cute? That little demon tried to amputate my hand.”
I shook my head to jumpstart my brain and went back to rinsing Cole’s scratches. “That’s weird. Do you have bacon in your pocket or something?”
“If he did, I’d be in his arms purring.” Drake stayed a few feet away from Monster as he maneuvered himself around Price. “I’m starving.”
I patted Cole’s hand dry and took my time carefully putting antibiotic ointment on the scratches, before covering them in Band-Aids. When I finished, he looked like his hand was being mummified but I had hope the scratches wouldn’t get infected. “I just need to shower and then I’m ready to see your kitchen.”
“Pack a bag and shower at my place. We can grab food on the way over.” Drake hesitated and then flashed a boyish smile my way. “If that’s okay with you.”
I nodded over my shoulder at my shower. “I’m betting your shower has hot water. It’s more than okay with me.”
“You don’t have—” Cole took a deep breath and blew it out. “You know what? I’m going to forget I heard that for right now.”
I grabbed a few things and shoved them into a bag before saying goodbye to Monster, who hissed at me in return. Then, we were back in Price’s SUV and I realized I’d basically packed an overnight bag to go over to Drake’s house. My nerves kicked into high gear. Was I spending the night? Did he want me to? Did they want me to? Did I want to spend the night with all three of them? I didn’t even know what that meant. I was in so far over my head.
Cole reached over and took my hand. The feeling of the Band-Aids made me look down at his hand and pout. “Regretting all that big talking you were doing earlier?”
I had the instant desire to crawl into his lap and have him wrap his arms around me. I didn’t know how, but it seemed like they were the problem and the solution. I was anxious about them but I knew having them hold me would ease that anxiety. “Not regretting it. I’m just worried I forgot who I was when I was saying it all.”
He grinned. “You do whatever you want. Understand?”
I squeezed his hand and nodded. “Understood.”
“What are you two whispering about back there?” Price turned onto a busier street and swore when Drake gasped and pointed at something up ahead. “What the fuck? You just scared the hell out of me.”
“I haven’t had Dairy Queen in a decade. I want ice cream.” Drake shrugged. “Sorry.”
I laughed out loud at his eagerness and leaned forward. “Drake, Dairy Queen closes at a normal time. It’s two in the morning.”
He groaned. “No! Fuck.”
“McDonalds?” Price caught the look of anger Drake sent his way and winced. “Sorry. Forget I said anything. I know how you feel about McDonalds’ ice cream.”
Drake sank back into his seat and sighed. “I have some homemade ice cream in the freezer at home. Just forget it.”
“You have homemade ice cream and you’re pouting over Dairy Queen?” I scoffed. “You’re a fool.”
“I’m not pouting.” Drake turned to fake glare at me. “I’m going to remember this.”
“Do you also have gourmet burgers or tacos in your fridge?”
Price and Cole both shivered and groaned.
“What?” I looked between the two of them. “What’s wrong with burgers or tacos?”
“Nothing, if Drake isn’t the one cooking them.” Price turned into an all-night gas station and deli. “Drake didn’t get the cooking gene. He’s a genius baker, but it doesn’t translate into cooking.”
Drake sighed dramatically. “I’m over the three of you being together. I don’t think I’ve ever been picked on so much.”
As soon as Price parked, I hopped out and met Drake next to the SUV. I gripped the front of his shirt and stood on my tiptoes so I could press my mouth to his. I meant it to be a short, sweet kiss, but Drake wrapped his arms around me and turned us so my ass and shoulders pressed into the vehicle. He deepened the kiss and pinned his hips against mine. I gasped when I felt his hard length pressing into my core.
He kissed me once more, gently, and pulled back. “Too much?”
I glanced down at the tent in his pants and swallowed. “Maybe?”
He let out a burst of laughter and tucked a knuckle under my chin to lift my face to his. “I’ve seen your work ethic, Cupcake. You can handle it.”
My face heated and my body tingled all over for him. “Cool.”
He grinned and stepped back, taking my hand so he could direct me into the station. “Cool?”
I groaned and pressed my face into his shoulder. “Shut up. I’m out of my league here. I’m not used to anyone just saying what they’re thinking like that.”
“You do it.”
I blew out a rough breath and nodded. “Fair point.”
“Are you two coming?” Cole winked at me. “Or should I warn the locals to stay away for the next few hours?”
I choked on nothing. “Hours?”
Both men looked at me with cocky expressions on their faces and I realized I probably needed to tell them that I wasn’t anywhere near as experienced as them. They were most likely going to be very disappointed.