Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Monroe
By the evening, the living room looks like a furniture showroom.
Half my things are still in boxes, a couple of Jase's things are pushed awkwardly against the wall, and the new items he purchased for the living room are perfectly arranged thanks to my design expertise and my brothers’ strong, athletic abilities.
The same brothers who have spent the last four hours hovering over us like they’re staging an intervention instead of helping me redecorate.
Monty leans against the back of the couch, dropping a kiss to the top of my head. “This is temporary, right?”
“You mean my living here, or being with him?” I kick my feet up on the new ottoman, tossing my slippers off as I stretch my aching feet.
“Both,” he answers honestly as he comes around to join me on the new plush couch. It’s a warm beige color, not the best choice for a house that’s about to have a child running around, but the beautiful fabric seems to be easy to clean.
Beau has his back to us, assembling the new entertainment system with Jase, while Nash has disappeared upstairs with Bailey with the excuse of putting together the baby’s dresser. It’s been almost an hour, but I really don’t want to know what they’re really doing up there.
Brynn and Billie left after helping me move all of my things into Jase’s room. When they asked why I still had my stuff in the guest room, I pretended I was only using it as a closet but sleeping in Jase’s bed.
Monty huffs out a breath, bringing his bottle of beer to his lips for a long swig. “Or until you realize this is a terrible idea.”
I sigh resigned that this will never get easier. Not only did I assume my brothers would always have a problem with whatever man I was in a relationship with, like they always have, but the way things came about with Jase made them more reluctant to accept it.
“You guys are supposed to be helping, not making things more difficult.”
Monty grunts, his preferred choice of communication. “It’s not our intention to make things difficult, Monroe. But it's our job, my job, to make sure you're protected and taken care of. You sprung this on us so suddenly and out of nowhere. I just want to make sure it’s what you really want.”
“I know what I’m doing, Monty, and if I’m making a mistake, then it's my mistake to make.”
He’s not convinced, and I don't blame him. I talk a big game, but not even I believe half of the things I say sometimes. “This won’t just affect you anymore, Monroe. Being a parent, you have to think of more than just yourself.” I know he regrets saying it as soon as he does, but I know it’s not meant maliciously. “That’s not—”
“I appreciate your worrying about me, Monty. You were the parent I never had, and I will forever be grateful for that. But now it’s time you trusted my judgement and let me figure this out on my own.
I’ll always have you to protect me, but I have to try to be the best version of myself for this baby, and right now, that means giving this thing with Jase a chance. ”
“You are more capable than you give yourself credit for, Monroe.”
“Thanks, Monty, I hope you’re right. Oh, and before I forget, I have a favor to ask you.”
“No,” he says curtly before even allowing me to explain.
“But you don’t even know what I was going to ask.”
“Okay, ask.”
“So Raven—”
“No.”
I huff out in frustration. “Montgomery Bishop, will you just listen?”
“Whatever it is, the answer is no.” This grumpy bastard is so stubborn sometimes.
“But I haven’t even…” I stutter, my frustration bubbling because of his stubborn attitude.
“Precisely,” he says, with a smug glint in his eye. “Saves us both time.”
I’m annoyed at his indifference when I’m clearly in need of his help, when I realize Raven mentioned she thought Monty doesn’t like her.
Then, I recall Billie’s response, but I’d rather not think about that.
“Why, because it’s about Raven?” I ask, noticing how his expression immediately transforms. “What is it with you and her anyway?”
“Nothing is up with her and me,” he lets out rather harshly. “She’s a child. I don't feel the need to have to know anything about her.”
“She’s not a child. She’s twenty-one, a friend of mine, and she needs a place to stay.”
“Fuck, no.”
Before I can continue to badger him, the front door opens and in steps Indigo, grinning as she takes in the chaos. “Looks like you’ve been busy.”
My brothers freeze while Nash and Bailey choose this exact moment to come down the stairs and rejoin us.
Indigo’s changed into a pair of white jeans paired with a light pink sweater that fits off her shoulders. Her curly blonde hair is scrunched to perfection, and her makeup looks almost professionally done. She knew exactly what she was doing in showing up here looking like that.
“You must be Indy?” Monty asks, his voice sharp enough to cut glass as he stands.
Indy licks her lips, her gaze trailing over him with obvious interest and enjoyment. “And you, my darling, must be Montgomery Bishop. Monroe’s oldest brother and the cowboy of every woman’s wildest dreams. Or so I’ve heard.” She lets out a nauseating giggle.
Monty scoffs, and I’m surprised her comments don’t at all rile him up. “Sounds like you’ve been busy around town, Ms. Harper.”
“Oh, I’ve heard plenty in such little time.
I don’t always like to believe what I hear.
I prefer to find things out myself.” I’m appalled by her incessant flirting like it’s the most normal thing in the world.
First with Jase and now with my brother.
This woman knows no bounds and apparently can’t take a hint about where she’s not welcome.
“That’s funny,” Beau says, approaching her, screwdriver still in hand. I know he’s trying his best to seem intimidating, but as Indy’s gaze travels to him, a new hunger appears in her eyes. “We’ve heard nothing good about you.”
She shrugs, but there’s a flicker of something in her eyes. Amusement maybe, or a challenge. “I could tell you a few things myself, or you can always find out.”
Beau ignores her, not falling into her trap, so she resigns, getting back to why she showed up.
Her eyes wander toward where Jase stands, a few feet away from all of us. “Your mama saw that your cars were in the driveway, not to mention Jake and the guys told her you arrived a few hours ago. She sent me over, hoping maybe you’d drop in to see her.”
“So she sent you thinking that was going to convince us,” Bailey mocks. Nash’s arm is tight around her waist, his chest to her back in a show of his protective nature.
Indigo's smile widens when she senses how uncomfortable she’s made everyone.
“I’m just relaying the message. Don’t shoot the messenger and all that.
It was lovely to meet you, boys. Jase,” she says, before turning and walking out.
Her hips sway exaggeratedly as she disappears, the door slamming shut behind her thanks to Beau.
My brother's angry eyes find Jase. “What the fuck is she doing here? And better yet, why is she bringing messages from your mom?”
I sit up straighter, though I don’t have the energy to stand. My feet are swollen, and even though I’m only four months into my pregnancy, I’m rarely ever off them.
“Indigo’s staying at the main house while she finds an apartment in town.” I can hear their responses before they speak.
Monty’s voice is low and controlled, but his expression says otherwise. “Jase’s ex is living in his mother’s house?”
“It's not like that,” I say quickly. “She needed a place to stay, and the Kings’ have the space.”
“Bullshit,” Nash cuts in, glaring at Jase. “The girl is fucking insane.” His gaze meets mine. “You’re pregnant with his kid, Monroe, and if he thinks any of this is okay—”
“She won’t be here for long,” Jase says, his tone also controlled, yet there's no sign of what he’s really feeling.
“I can promise you that.” The entire time he directs his attention to my brothers, not once looking my way.
I can’t tell what it is, but there’s something in his eyes that’s different.
It’s like he’s embarrassed perhaps that she barged in like a fucking tornado that sped through the house wreaking havoc.
Perhaps ashamed that he can’t get rid of her, and much like with his mama, he has no control where she’s concerned.
My brothers aren’t exactly known for subtlety, and Indy has a knack for lighting matches without caring if anything catches fire. Much like she’s just done.
I need to sort this out with Jase and only him. We don’t need my brothers putting in their two cents about how we should handle the situation. I stand, reaching for Monty and grabbing him by the arm.
“Thanks for stopping by, but I think it’s time we call it a night. You three,” I say, “stop acting like you get to dictate my life. I’m not fragile. I know what I'm getting into, and if I say I have it under control, I need you to trust me.”
Monty mutters something under his breath in disagreement, but listens, more out of respect for me than because he’s convinced.
Still, I can feel their eyes on us as they say their goodbyes and leave Jase and me to deal with the aftermath of what’s brewing.
By the time the last of my brothers finally leave, the house feels so empty.
I’m used to having my space, to the hum of the air conditioning unit in the summer months being the only sound in the house.
Or the chirp of the crickets in the night serenading me in a lonely room, but the chatter and laughter of a full house of people who want to be together is foreign.
It’s only ever been Billie, Bailey and me, laughing and enjoying our time together, getting into trouble when we see fit.
If I’m not with them, then I’m with Monty, though he usually always has something to do at work. I haven't been in the same room for so long with my brothers in what feels like a lifetime.
I’m afraid I'm getting used to it.