CHAPTER ONE
Summer
I soak in the significant transformation of my new room, happy with all the progress that’s been made.
Before, it had been bare walls and floors.
The plaster on the walls was cracked, and in bad shape.
When I first saw the room that would become mine, I thought it would come down on me because the ceiling wasn’t much better than the walls.
It’s probably why my cousins avoided claiming the room as their own.
I was prepared to work with what I had when it came to the space.
I was willing to risk my life to be here.
But Freya, my sister from another mister, and best friend, came to the rescue.
I know a part of it is because she stills feels like she’s the reason I moved out of our shared flat in the first place.
When in fact, she is the reason I didn’t make this move sooner.
I wanted her to come with me and I didn’t think she would.
And there was no way I was leaving her. She’s been my best friend for as long as I can remember.
Over the summer though, she had to go on a cruise to attend her devil of a sister’s wedding, who’s groom also happened to be Freya’s ex-boyfriend. On the same cruise was our neighbour who lived in the flat opposite.
I knew from the moment they had their first argument there would be a time they’d hook-up.
The sexual tension between the two as they fought over the most ridiculous things, was too tangible.
They were the only people blind to their chemistry.
I, however, never had a moment of doubt.
Now, they are in love and happily living together in the flat Freya and I once shared.
And it’s because of their love that my room has been stripped to the brick, boarded, and plastered. It’s also been decorated in warm tones, and it’s all thanks to Mark and his occupation of being a builder.
The walls are now an oyster-sandy colour, and to give the space some colour, Freya added some green ivy in the room in various pots.
My bed is still at the flat because Maya, Freya’s nan, bought me a king-size bed as a moving in present.
It’s huge, and I love the dark forest green comforter Freya has placed over the bottom.
The rest of the furniture is from my room back at the flat.
I have my desk, my vanity station, and my huge reading chair and drawers.
There is no need for a wardrobe since this room has a small walk-in wardrobe attached.
It has access to the bathroom, which I have to admit is going to take some getting used to.
You can access it from my room, Makayla’s room, and from the hallway.
Remembering to lock all three doors when it’s in use is going to be an issue, since half the time I forget to grab my keys before leaving the house.
My favourite part of the room is the cream hammock chair hanging from the ceiling in the corner, the tassels brushing along the soft beige carpet.
Freya’s shoulder brushes against mine. “What do you think?”
I turn to my best friend, and before she can protest, I dive on her, both of us falling onto the bed. “I love it.”
She laughs, throwing me off so I’m by her side. “I’m glad. Maybe if being a teacher doesn’t work out, I can become a house stylist.”
“You should do it as a side gig anyway,” I suggest.
I don’t know anyone who can take one look at a room and already have the perfect furniture and colours picked out.
This room is the shit and better than anything I could have come up with.
Whilst I love wearing pastel colours, I don’t like being surrounded by them.
I think it’s more to do with the visual side of it, and I like to be in calm places.
Hence the greens she has placed around the room.
I have crystals, salt lamps and a retro glow lamp surrounding me too.
“You look tired,” she comments. “Is it work again?”
I sigh, wishing I didn’t have to speak about work.
Whatever is going on there has tensions running high.
If the pay wasn’t so good, I would have left ages ago.
But it does pay good, and I get free rein to work from home too.
Or I did. “I don’t know what is going on there but it’s worse than usual.
I’m now assistant to one of the main bosses and she’s a bitch.
She keeps warning me to strip the colour from my hair, but I read my contract, and aside from what I wear, nothing about hair is on there.
I hate her. I miss being downstairs with Sandra.
She didn’t need me to bring her cups of tea or go out to get her lunch. ”
“Why don’t you start doing nails again?”
“I like being an assistant. The organisation settles something inside of me. I just wish it wasn’t to that bitch.”
“Just promise if it gets too much, you’ll quit.”
“Promise.”
She glances over at me. “Should we go downstairs and see what the others are discussing? I’m actually excited to see what they do with the house.”
I roll my eyes. “Don’t lie. You just want to see them shirtless. Mark said as much.”
She glares at me. “Whose side are you on?”
My lips twitch. “Yours. Always yours.”
“Good. Because when I come here, it will be to see you and your cousins. If it just so happens that the Carters are here shirtless, then who am I to judge? You guys could even sell tickets for others to see them shirtless. The place would be rammed.”
She doesn’t need to sell me on it. I saw the stocky, broody one called Landon wipe sweat from his forehead with the bottom of his T-shirt, and I nearly tripped over my own feet at the sight of his magnificent body.
Freya did introduce him to my cousins, but I couldn’t get past his beauty to listen to what else she said.
“I wouldn’t need to work so it holds merit,” I assure her as I pull her up from the bed.
“FYI, you need a lock on your door. Milly was eyeing that swing like a playground toy. She doesn’t know it yet, but Mark bought an actual swing to go in her room. It will dangle from the ceiling like yours.”
I grin. “He really is a softy.”
Magnolia rushes past us when we leave the room, pushing up her glasses. “I can’t handle that much hotness in one room.”
Three seconds later, a door slams shut. I glance at Freya, smirking. “I think they broke her.”
“Does she not realise she’s just as beautiful? And here I thought your cousins would be more concerned about the Carters’ crazy. When I came up, I left Maddox rummaging through that huge fridge and Malia looked none too happy.”
I shrug. “They are their own brand of crazy. It will take a lot more than the Carters to faze them.”
“I said, don’t touch my food,” Malia screeches from the floor below our feet.
“I touched it first,” Maddox yells.
“I paid for it,” she remarks sharply.
I give Freya a ‘oh fuck’ look and race down the stairs.
Skidding to a stop in the kitchen, I take in the scene before me. Both Maddox and Malia have a hand on a Tupperware container, fighting for it.
“You said I could help myself,” he snaps.
“I meant to a drink, not a five-course meal. You’ve already gone through the cakes and Milly’s lunch snack drawer. I will not have you touch my fucking food.”
“But I’m okay to eat the six-year-old’s?” he fires back.
“No one touches my food.”
“Then you shouldn’t have opened the door to a Carter.”
Malia faces Makayla so sharply, I’m worried she’s got whiplash. “Get my bat.”
I clear my throat, stepping into the fray before it turns to violence. It wouldn’t be the first time she’s used that bat. “Maddox, there is one thing you should know about the Addison sisters: you don’t touch their food.”
I find it so weird that all of them can eat so much but remain skinny as hell. I’m kind of jealous, because I only have to look at a chocolate bar and three pounds are gained.
“Look, if you want me working here, I have to be able to help myself to food. I can’t work without food.”
“I’m rethinking my decision to hire you,” Malia growls. “I draw a line when it comes to our food.”
Oh God, this isn’t going well.
And these girls need a home.
I step closer. “Maddox, why don’t you put the Tupperware down and you can have—”
He lifts his chin, sniffing, and I warily take a step back. “Pizza. I smell pizza.”
How on earth does he know...
I glance at Freya, who grins and shrugs at me.
“I bought extras. You’re welcome to some,” I offer.
“No,” Malia argues. “There won’t be enough.”
I smile. “Malia, this isn’t my first rodeo. I bought six extra pizzas, more fries, wings and other sides. There’s enough. The pizza place thought I was a prank caller and demanded I pay up front. I thought whatever didn’t get eaten, we could save for later or tomorrow.”
Her gaze narrows on mine. “If he even thinks of touching my spicy wings, we are going to have problems.” Her glare pins Maddox next. “I don’t care if you’re feeling weak and shaking in the corner. Do not touch my fucking food ever again.”
Unfazed, he eyes her like he doesn’t sense the danger lurking in front of him. “So anything else is free game? Noted. Make sure you label it. I’ll go grab the pizza.”
Mark, who is holding Asher, hands him over to Freya. “I’ll go help him.”
“You mean stop him from getting those spicy wings,” she replies, then coos down at the bundle in her arms.
Malia eyes me like I’m the one who ate the last slice of cake. “Why on earth would you let that food stealing arsehole into my home?”
I hold my hands up. “In all fairness, I didn’t know about the food thing. I thought Freya was lying when she said they are food obsessed. Who knew there would be two families so protective over their food?”
Freya nods, then shudders. “Never let Max inside here. You won’t even know it’s gone until you go to eat it.”
“If it hasn’t got all the toppings, I don’t want to know,” a little girl states, talking up at Maddox.
Maddox grins down at her. “That’s my girl.”
“Does he always bring his kids to work?” I whisper to Freya.