22. Ryan
I’m an asshole. The disapproving stares I keep receiving from Jake and Lachy during dinner are deserved. The kitchen survived, and June’s lasagna is out of this world. I didn’t need to ban her from my space.
I’m a control freak and never hide that from anyone, especially women. I’m never interested in keeping them around anyway. But now, I regret showing June my dark side. My feelings are a fucking mystery to me. Why do I want her to like me? It isn’t as if I want to date her. Maybe it’s because Lachy and Jake are into her, and my competitive nature wants her too. That must be it.
Smiling, I lean back in my chair with my hand pressed over my full stomach. “This was truly delicious, June. I’ll need an extra hour at the gym to burn off the calories.”
“Thanks. I’m glad you liked it.” She pushes her chair back and stands with her empty plate in hand.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Jake asks.
“Cleaning up.”
I stand up too. “Absolutely not. You cooked—leave the cleaning part to me.”
She tilts her head. “Are you offering because you’re afraid I won’t do a proper job?”
Jake and Lachy promptly say “Yes” while I say “No.” I glower at them.
“That’s not the reason,” I grit out. “Get up and help me if you don’t believe me.”
Jake and Lachy trade a look before Lachy replies, “Nah, pass. You offered.”
I shake my head. “It figures.”
“What’s for dessert?” Lachy asks, immediately getting June flustered.
“Oh, I didn’t have time to make dessert.”
His face turns beet red. “No, no, lass. That question wasn’t for you.”
“We have Jake’s butter pecan ice cream in the freezer.” I smirk.
Jake glares at me. That’s his favorite dessert, and he hates to share it with us. It’s payback for telling June I don’t allow anyone in the kitchen.
“Oh, I love ice cream,” June pipes up.
“Yeah, me too.” He smiles at her, annoying me. He didn’t fall for my trap.
I collect all the dirty plates in a huff and stride to the kitchen, trying to ignore everyone. I’m not angry or jealous that he’s being nice to June. I’m pissed that I acted like a jerk to her earlier, and I was hoping to even the playing field. We all have negative traits, but I’m the only one who didn’t try harder to curb mine. It’s been a long time since I cared what other people think of me.
While I load the dishes into the dishwasher, Lachy and June head to the living room while Jake veers for the freezer. Whistling, he sets the gallon of ice cream on the counter and grabs three bowls.
“Let me guess. I’m not getting any ice cream,” I say.
“You don’t like store-bought ice cream.”
“I never said that.”
“‘Store-bought ice cream is a sin against desserts.’ Did I hallucinate you telling a waiter that?”
“I expect house-made ice cream from a fancy restaurant,” I grumble.
He’s yanking my chain, and I’m letting him. God, now I know how Lachy feels when I tease him. I’m not myself, and I know that’s June’s influence. I look at her. She’s laughing about something Lachy said, and the sound is addictive. I’ve never met a woman as naturally stunning as she is. I shake my head, trying to wake from the daze. Somehow, the plate in my hand slips through my fingers and breaks into pieces when it hits the floor.
“Son of a bitch!”
“Is everything all right?” June asks.
“Yeah.” My ears are burning as I drop into a crouch to clean up the mess. I can’t remember the last time I broke anything in the kitchen. I’ll never hear the end of this.
“What do you want to do tonight, June?” Lachy asks.
“How about a movie? But I need to take Winston out for a walk first.”
“Don’t worry about it, June. The dog walker came an hour ago. She also fed all the pets. We can walk Winton after the movie.
“Oh, you hired one already?”
Jake joins them in the living room, carrying the ice cream bowls. “Yeah. She was number one on Mrs. Carpenter’s list. I’ll introduce you to her when we have a chance.”
I finish cleaning up, then grimace when I see the ice cream still on the counter, melting.
“Yo, Jake. Do you want to turn your favorite dessert into soup?”
“Oops. Forgot. Do you mind putting it back in the freezer?”
If we were alone, I’d tell him to fuck off and do it himself. But I bite my tongue and just stick the ice cream back into the freezer.
“Do you have any preferences, lass?” Lachy asks.
“Not really. I’m good with whatever you guys want to watch.”
I walk into the living room and, no surprise, June is in the middle of the couch with Lachy and Jake on either side.
“How about Braveheart?” I suggest just to be a pest.
“Fuck no,” Lachy blurts out. “That movie is a disgrace.”
June looks at him. “Why?”
“Too many inaccuracies.”
“Braveheart is Lachy’s pet peeve.” Jake laughs.
“But you like Highlander, right?” she asks.
He snorts. “Of course. That’s a classic.”
“I know what we should watch,” Jake pipes up, looking straight at me. I already know what he’ll suggest, and my skin crawls. “Ratatouille.”
Lachy perks up. “Oh, I like that idea.”
“I’ve never seen it. It’s supposed to be good, right?”
If by good, you mean disgusting? Sure. A bunch of rats cooking. Unpleasant chills run down my spine.
Mercifully, I keep my thoughts to myself.
“It’s Ryan’s favorite,” Lachy adds.
I hope he can read in my eyes how much I hate him right now.
“Awesome. Let’s watch it then,” June replies.
I should tell her the guys are messing with me, but she’s too eager to watch that damn cartoon movie. Besides, if I say anything, they win.
Forcing a smile, I say, “Great. Let’s do it.”
“I can’t believe it. He bloody did it,” Lachy says as the end credits roll.
I’m as stiff as a board, and I’ve never wanted to take a shower as badly as I do now, but pretending to be unbothered, I reply, “Sorry to disappoint.” I turn and see that June fell asleep with her head propped against Jake’s shoulder. “When did that happen?”
“Halfway through the movie I think,” he replies.
I narrow my eyes. “And instead of stopping the movie you made me suffer through the worst part?”
Lachy laughs. “Are you surprised?”
“You suck. Where’s June going to sleep?”
“My room,” Jake and Lachlan reply in unison.
“She’s already been in my room. She’ll be more comfortable there. I’ll take the couch,” Lachy adds.
I laugh. “Shall we decide this in a rock, paper, scissors game?”
“You don’t like anyone in your room,” Jake points out.
“I’m not entering. I’m talking about you two.”
Jake and Lachy lock into a staring contest until Jake sighs heavily. “June can sleep in your room. I don’t care.”
Don’t care, my ass.
I’m not bothered by the arrangement. When she’s in my bed, I’d rather be with her.