CHAPTER 23
Cole
The number of reporters outside Sonnie’s house pissed me off. We hadn’t counted on anyone taking those pictures of us with her and we were idiots for not considering the possibility. We were supposed to be going out with the purpose of being seen with women, so how it didn’t cross our minds people might see us with Sonnie the night before, was beyond me. We’d fucked up and hadn’t protected her. She probably should’ve run from us. She and her little sister were being dragged into a mess because of us and we weren’t selfless enough to let her go.
Price pulled onto the lawn, barely avoiding multiple people who wouldn’t get out of the way. He’d positioned the back door of the SUV at the porch steps so Sonnie would be able to just get out and run up the steps. Still, it wasn’t that easy. As soon as he stopped, people surrounded us.
Sonnie whimpered and I watched as her hands shook before she could hide it by clasping them together. “This is insane.”
I growled. “Wait a second and—”
She stiffened her back and let out a growl of her own before shoving her door open. She was out of the car before any of us could do anything to stop her. “If I found out which one of you touched my baby sister, I’ll be back for you. Don’t y’all have anything better to do than wait around here? Get out of my way or I’m going to start kicking ankles.”
I swore and climbed across the seat so I could follow after her. Immediately flashes went off in my face and people were shouting questions at me. I kept my eyes on Sonnie and focused on closing the gap between us. I wasn’t concerned with speaking to any of them until I saw one of the guys grab Sonnie’s shoulder to spin her towards him. I saw red and bulldozed my way through. Grabbing the man’s wrist, I twisted until he let go of her. “Keep your hands to yourself, asshole.”
Sonnie looked up at me and I could see the panic and fear in her eyes. Her jaw was set in determination, though, and I respected the hell out of her for how strong she was being. She took my hand and started forward again.
“Is this a poly relationship, Cole? Are you allowed other girlfriends, too?”
“Is it serious? Can we expect a bun in the oven soon?”
“What do you think about your girlfriend’s family history?”
I felt Sonnie stiffen at the last question and wanted to break someone’s face for hurting her. They were doing the same shit they always did when they caught us out after a new store opening or something, but they were doing it to Sonnie and I didn’t like it.
I pushed Sonnie up the steps and turned around to address the crowd. Price and Drake were right behind me and I held out a hand to drag them up. I could see their anger on their faces and knew they were feeling the same thing I was. I nodded over my shoulder at Sonnie, telling them to help her get inside. I had something to say before I followed them.
“Let’s get one thing clear. Our girlfriend’s family history doesn’t matter to us. No one should be talking about it because it has nothing to do with her, or us. She’s a brilliant baker and a hard worker. Talk about that. Or about the fact she’s raising her sister and taking care of everything all on her own. I understand wanting to talk about her. I get it. I’m smitten with her, too. But if you’re going to talk about her, talk about her . This is new for us and we’d appreciate it if you didn’t scare her away before we can convince her we’re worth her time.”
Drake put his hand on my shoulder. “Come on, Romeo.”
I hurried up the last few steps and stepped into Sonnie’s house in time to see a smaller, gothic version of Sonnie run into her arms. The two sisters embraced and then the younger one pulled away and wrapped her arms around herself like she hadn’t just run into her sister’s arms.
“About time.” Rosie looked around at the three of us and frowned. “Whoa.”
Sonnie wrapped her arms around herself in an almost exact copy of her sister. “Um, Rosie, meet Price and Cole. You’ve already met Drake. And this is my little sister, Rosie.”
Price bent over and scooped up the demon cat. “Hey. Good to meet you, Rosie. Your cat and I bonded last night when we stopped by to feed him and I’m a big fan.”
I showed her my hand. “Your cat and I did not bond last night and I’m not really a fan. I won’t hold it against you, though.”
Drake grunted. “I’m still considering calling animal control.”
Rosie stared slack-jawed at all three of us but her attention finally zeroed in on Price holding her cat. She looked at her sister and back at Price. “What the hell?”
Sonnie shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s weird.”
“All of this is weird.” Rosie looked around at us again. “Really, really weird. What is going on? Everyone’s saying you’re sleeping with all three of them.”
I watched as Sonnie turned bright red. Feeling bad for her, I tried to help. “We’re… Shit. I thought I would have something to say once I started talking.”
Rosie stared at me for a few seconds and then laughed. “You guys are definitely not as cool in person.”
“Rosie!” Sonnie laughed, though, and it was a good sound to hear after seeing how freaked out she’d been. “Jeez. Try to be nice.”
Drake snorted. “Don’t bother. We’re really not that cool. Especially when faced with trying to explain to a teenager what we’re doing with her sister.”
Sonnie groaned. “Just…shut up. Everyone, shut up. Please.”
“Now who isn’t being nice?” Rosie jumped when someone knocked on the door and we were all brought back to our reality.
“You, Monster, and Sonnie are all coming to my house.” Price had the cat on its back in his arms, scratching its belly. “It’ll be quiet there and no one will bother you. I’m sorry things happened like this. The news will die down soon, but until then, you can hang out at my house. There’s a lake and a pool you can swim in, so pack a swimsuit.”
She looked at her sister. “We’re moving in with them?”
Sonnie went even redder somehow. “No. I mean, yes. It’s not like real moving in, though. They’re just helping us while it’s crazy here.”
“So, you’re really dating all three of them?”
Biting her lip, Sonnie looked at the three of us, unaware of how that small gesture affected us. “I don’t know.”
Without hesitation, the three of us all answered together. “Yes.”
“We can talk about it, Rosie. I know it’s not conventional and I’m sure it’s not what you ever expected. If it’s too much for you, just say so and—”
“Oh, my god, Sonnie. I’m almost sixteen; I can handle the idea of you dating three guys. Why would I care? Nothing in my life has ever been normal so why would I expect it to get that way now?” Rosie didn’t see the way Sonnie’s shoulders sank and the pain on her face. She just shrugged and moved towards the back of the house. “At least I’ll get to swim in a pool. That’s pretty cool.”
I wrapped my arm around Sonnie and pulled her into my chest after Rosie disappeared down the hallway. “None of us ever had normal lives, Sonnie, and we all turned out okay. You’re doing good with her.”
Shaking her head and pulling away from me, she cleared her throat. “I’ll go and pack a few things, too.”
I turned to my best friends after she left and frowned. “Well, this is going well.”
Price, still stroking his evil cat, sighed. “I admit today could’ve started a little less chaotic.”
“What you said out there was pretty good. Were you being serious?” Drake watched me nod and rubbed at his jaw. “I thought so. Last night was different, but it was the best sex of my life. She’s fucking special. We need to talk to the publicist about how to make sure this doesn’t get out of hand. I don’t want it becoming some fetish bullshit people gossip about.”
“I agree. We got off track from the original plan, but as long as we can contain the circus, this could be fine.” I looked towards Sonnie’s room. “She’s not going to be able to go back to the bar right now. There will be a crowd of people there, waiting on her.”
Price finally put the cat down and dusted the hair off his shirt. “I’m pretty sure she’s not going to take that well.”
Rosie rejoined us with a backpack stuffed to the brim. She dropped it at her feet and crossed her arms over her chest. She looked so similar to Sonnie and even had the same mannerisms. “Are you guys going to hurt my sister? We know the routine. Our mom had so many different boyfriends around all the time. If you’re just going to hurt my sister, you should fuck off now.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Your sister know you talk like that?”
“I’m almost sixteen.”
Price grunted. “That’s not an answer.”
“You didn’t answer mine first.” She glared up at us, just as stubborn as her sister. “I mean it. She’s a pain but she doesn’t deserve to be hurt.”
“We’re not going to hurt her.” Drake pointed at the door, meaning the people beyond. “We’re sorry this happened. We like your sister and want to spend time with her. She’s pretty great. You should be nicer to her.”
“And you should learn to close your blinds if you’re going to have my sister over.” Rosie wasn’t backing down. “Did you see what they’re saying about her? My sister hasn’t had a boyfriend the entire time she’s been taking care of me and the first time she tries anything, it’s all over the news and people are calling her the worst things.”
“We’re going to fix it.” I promised her and I meant it. We had to.
She glared at the three of us. “You better fix it. No one hurts my sister.”