14. Jake
When I couldn’t find June to return her wallet, there was no question about what we should do. Unanimously, we decided to drive by her place and return the wallet in person. I didn’t expect to find her sitting on the curb, crying her eyes out.
I tense, guessing her asshole ex put her in this state. The instincts to protect and avenge her mix in my veins, a powerful and dangerous combo. I’m on thin ice already with the organization, thanks to my bad temper. If I pick a fight with June’s ex, there’ll be hell to pay. Melissa will kill me.
I hang back while Lachy drops into a crouch and asks what happened. June’s beautiful hazel eyes are brighter thanks to the tears swimming in them.
“What are you doing here?” she asks instead of answering him.
“You forgot your wallet, lass.”
“Oh?” Her brows arch. “I didn’t even notice.”
“Come on. Back on your feet.” He takes her hands and pulls her up.
Ryan moves closer, staring at June with a serious expression. I only see that look on his face when he’s utterly pissed. “Are you going to tell us what happened, Peaches?”
I frown. Peaches? That’s new. I’ve never heard Ryan give any girl a special nickname. It’s always the generic stuff with him.
“Bill kicked me out of the apartment. I got here and found all my stuff in trash bags and boxes out in the hallway. He even changed the lock.”
“Son of a bitch,” I blurt out. “What’s your apartment number, June? I’d like to have a word with Bill.”
My voice is low and tight, and she probably noticed the menacing tone, because her eyes widen. “He already left for work.”
“He’s lucky then,” Ryan pipes up, glowering at the tall red brick building.
“Where’s your stuff?” Lachy asks.
“I brought it all down to the foyer. But when I went to get my car, it wouldn’t start. I’m beginning to think I’m being punished for...”
She trails off, but it’s not hard to guess where she was going with her train of thought. She must believe having a foursome with us was bad. I might be jumping to conclusions, but knowing she’s from a small town in Texas—Ryan told us—it isn’t a giant leap to imagine she was brought up in a religious household.
“Do you have a place to go?” Ryan asks.
“Not really. I mean, I’m sure I can stay with my friend from work for a few days, but I don’t want to impose longer than that.”
Ryan and Lachlan both look at me, and I can almost read their minds. In any case, the idea also occurred to me. “I may have a solution for that.”
“What? Do you know a place I can rent for cheap in L.A.?”
“Is free cheap enough for you?”
She blinks fast, and then she surprises me by shaking her head. “If you’re suggesting I move in with you, then the answer is no. I’m not a mooch.”
Her indignant answer makes me chuckle. “That’s not my solution.”
“All right. What is it then?”
Ryan throws an arm around my shoulder. “Jakey here looks tough, but he’s a softy at heart. He volunteered to watch our neighbors’ pets while she’s on a three-month trip to Europe.”
June looks at me. “You did?”
“It was her lifelong dream. I couldn’t say no.”
“But aren’t you guys on the road all the time? Who’s going to watch the pets then?”
“There’s where you come in. You can stay in Mrs. Carpenter’s apartment while she’s away. I’m sure she won’t mind.”
June bites her lower lip, drawing my attention to it and bringing memories of last night to the forefront of my mind. I legit want to help her and get out of a bind at the same time. But that’s not the only reason I’d love to live next door to her for a while. She intrigues me with her sweet nature that changes into fierceness when she’s in competing mode, and I wouldn’t mind getting to know her better. Besides, I don’t have the same rule as Ryan of not hooking up with the same girl more than once. Judging by the way Lachy is looking at her, I’d say he’s on the same page as me.
“You said pets. How many and what kind?”
“Two cats, a semi-blind dog, a few fish, and a parrot,” Lachlan replies.
June laughs. “That”s all?”
“You forgot Humberto, the turtle,” Ryan pipes up.
“Oh yeah.”
“Are you sure your neighbor won’t mind? She doesn’t know me, and to be fair, neither do you.”
“If the city of L.A. trusts you to teach middle-graders, then I’m sure we can trust you too.” Ryan smiles brightly.
Her eyes widen. “Oh crap. I need to call the school. There’s no way I can make it to work on time now.”
“We’ll load your stuff in my car while you call them,” I say.
“Could I borrow one of your phones? My battery is dead.”
Lachlan offers his. “You can use mine. It’s unlocked.”
“Thank you.” She glances at the screen and smiles. “You have a Highland calf as your screensaver?”
His cheeks turn red. “They’re adorable.”
Watching their interaction, I’m now certain I’m not the only one who wouldn’t mind getting to know June better. Lachlan is usually a grump, but in front of her, he melts like butter. That doesn’t bother me. I can share her with him and Ryan for one night or many. But only them, no one else.
I head into the building to see what we’re dealing with and get angry all over again when I see the trash bags filled with June’s belongings. Her ex should count his blessings that he isn’t around. The motherfucker deserves an ass whipping. I’d risk Melissa’s wrath for the chance to teach him a lesson.
Ryan follows me in, and before I can say a word, he starts, “We have a problem.”
I narrow my eyes. “What now?”
“I want to break my number-one rule, and you need to stop me.”
“I can’t be your chastity belt, Ryan.” I grab a few boxes.
He follows my lead and takes some of the trash bags. “You know I don’t do seconds.”
“Then don’t.” I head for the exit.
“How am I supposed to resist when she’ll be living right next door?”
I laugh. “You’re assuming she wants a repeat.”
“Are you saying she doesn’t?” He sounds almost unsure, and it’s fucking hilarious.
I refrain from answering him as we walk outside the building. That’s not a conversation I want June to overhear. She’s standing close to my car, talking on the phone under the watchful gaze of Lachlan.
He switches his attention to us and asks, “Is that all?”
“No, there are a few more bags inside,” I reply.
“Okay. I’ll get them.” He hurries into the building, and then June ends the call.
“Everything okay at work?” I ask.
“Yes. The principal is a nice lady, and she saw my fiasco of a proposal on TV. She was already expecting me not to show up at work today and called in a sub.”
“Good. You need to rest,” Ryan chimes in.
“I need to call roadside assistance to see about my car, but you guys probably need to get going.”
We do have practice in an hour, but I don’t want her to worry. “Let’s get you settled, and then we’ll see about your car.” I open the trunk and start to arrange the boxes inside.
“I don’t think it’ll all fit,” she says.
“It will, but I’m afraid the guys will need to call an Uber.”
“Oh no. I feel terrible now,” she says.
Her reaction is too adorable for her own good and it gives me fuzzy feelings. I grew up surrounded by phony people who only pretended to be nice to get something from me. I can tell when someone is being genuine.
Ryan and Lachlan give me the stink eye, and I know it isn’t because they have to call a ride. They want to spend more time with June, but she obviously wouldn’t guess that.
Ryan rubs June’s arm. “Don’t worry, Peaches. I feel sorry for you though. Jake’s a terrible driver. Maybe you should come with us.”
I narrow my eyes, and I’m about to call him on his bullshit, but June beats me to the punch. “If he’s a bad driver, why did you ride with him in the first place?”
I’m trying not to laugh, which is usually easy for me because I’m not easily amused, but June giving Ryan shit is not only funny, it’s also hot as hell. I pegged her to be shy at first, but maybe she’s only like that with strangers. I saw a glimpse of her fiery nature during that game of pool, and then she went from timid to a wildcat during sex. Today, we’re getting more of her sassy personality.
When Ryan can’t reply soon enough, Lachlan says, “Lass, I’ve never seen Ryan not have a fast retort. You’re a keeper.”
Her cheeks turn bright pink, and then she looks at me. “I’ll ride with you, Jake.”
Feeling like I won the lottery, I nod. “Sounds good.”
“I need to get something from my car. Be right back.” She runs down the sidewalk and stops next to a faded blue sedan near the street corner. I wonder why she didn’t park in the garage. She returns holding an old teddy that’s missing an eye.
“What’s that?” Ryan asks.
“Toby. I’ve had him since I was a baby.”
Ryan and I turn to Lachlan. He shakes his head, his round eyes begging us to keep our mouths shut, but obviously, Ryan can’t resist teasing him. “Just like you and your old baby blanket, Lachy.”
His eyes narrow, and I can almost hear the insults popping into his head. But he doesn’t say a word, probably restraining himself on June’s account.
June tilts her head. “Do they tease you a lot because of your blankie?”
“Nah,” he lies.
Ryan opens his big mouth, and I know he’s going to contradict Lachlan, so I chime in before he can say anything. “If you have everything, June, we should go and try to beat traffic.”
“Right.” She looks at Lachlan and Ryan. “I guess I’ll see you later.”
I open the passenger door for June but can’t help glancing at Ryan and Lachlan with a smug grin on my face. They’re both glowering. I can see already spending quality time with June will turn into a competition. Bring it on.