Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
TEDDIE
What the fuck?
I sat stunned for a few moments before pulling my shorts back into place.
As I pushed myself to my feet, I knocked the empty popcorn bowl onto the floor.
It landed with a clatter and rolled off into the corner of the room.
I should pick it up, but I was too pissed off right now to bother.
If I did, I’d throw it at Fade’s stupid head.
Chances were, the bowl would break. I didn’t need that added to my total.
So I left it there and stepped out of the room, into the living area that made up the center of the house.
Just as I did, Fade's door closed with a click. Another click quickly followed. The lock being engaged. Did he think I was planning to follow him in and yell at him?
I glared at the closed door until the sound of rushing water came from somewhere behind the walls. The asshole walked away and had a shower like nothing happened. As if he hadn't gotten me off while watching that fucking movie.
I didn't know what irritated me more, the way he'd walked away, or how talented his hands really were. Not just that. He'd listened to me when I told him what I needed. For a moment, it almost seemed like he gave a shit. Like he wanted me to feel good. That I mattered to him.
Of course I didn't. The only thing he cared about was screwing with me.
Most of all, I was pissed off at myself. I got caught up in the moment and lowered my walls. I let my attraction to him, and the mood of the movie, get the better of me. I should have been stronger and smarter than that.
"You're an idiot," I told myself.
Okay, more than a little of the words and scathing tone were directed at Fade Mitchell.
Him and his stupid rule. Did Hel and Oak know about it?
I presumed they did. They seemed to have access to the app as well.
Did they have a chuckle over this one, or hadn't they seen it yet? If they hadn't, they soon would.
Honestly, I wasn't looking forward to seeing their faces in the morning, knowing they were aware of what I couldn't do to myself.
On the other hand, I didn't need to worry about breaking this rule.
I was satisfied for now, thanks to fucking Fade.
If she could, my pussy would be purring right now.
She better not be thinking about begging for more from him.
If Fade thought he was going to drive me crazy, he'd have to think again.
I glared at the door for a moment longer before I headed into the kitchen for a drink of water. It might help to cool my temper.
I pulled a glass out of the cabinet, filled it almost to the brim, and leaned against the counter to drink it.
"What did they do this time?" A voice spoke out of the darkness, making me jump and almost spill water all over myself.
Shannon stepped out of the pantry, a glass of wine in her hand. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare the shit out of you."
She turned the oven hood light on, giving enough illumination to see her as she slid into a stool behind the island and regarded me.
"I didn't think anyone was in here. I didn't mean to disturb you,” I said quickly. This was out of her work hours. She was entitled to her privacy. As much as she could get, living where she worked. She had a small room in the very back of the house, beside the kitchen. I’d caught a glimpse of it while searching for the basement.
"If it wasn't you, it would have been one of them," she said. She waved her hand toward the door. "There's always someone coming in or out of here."
"Let me guess, Oak keeps a stash of donuts in the corner of the pantry," I asked dryly.
She snorted loudly. "Not likely. If he did, the others would clear him out. Or I would." She nodded and took a sip of her wine.
"Shame, I was hoping someone left one for me." I stepped over to the island and leaned a hip against it.
"If you want, I can make you some pancakes," she offered. She looked as though she was ready to get up and make good on that right now.
"No, that's okay," I said quickly. It had to be close to one in the morning by then. I should really be heading to bed. I downed the rest of my water and placed the glass in the dishwasher.
"They're not all bad, you know," she said, before I could leave the kitchen. "They're assholes, but they have some redeeming qualities."
"Even Fade?" I asked.
"Even Faden, believe it or not," she agreed. "He can be sweet when he wants to."
"I'm guessing he doesn't want to very often," I said bitterly. "Is he always a manipulative prick?"
She considered the question for a moment. "Pretty much. Don't let him get to you. That's what he wants. Give him an inch and he'll take the whole fucking mile. That one…" She waggled a finger at me. "You have to make him work for it."
“I’m not sure I want to make him work for it,” I said. How much did she know about the proposal? The whole reason I was here. Had they explained or merely told her I'd be living here for a while?
"This situation is temporary," I said carefully.
"Life is temporary," she said. "It's too short not to enjoy every minute of it, if you ask me."
"Do you like working for them?” I leaned forward, my elbows on the island. They didn't seem like easy men to work for.
"They pay well," Shannon said.
I cocked my head. “That wasn't a yes."
"It wasn't a no either," she pointed out. "They have their moments. Mostly they put the toilet seats back down. They don't expect me to tidy their bedrooms, except change their sheets once in a while. They usually eat what I put in front of them. My kids were a lot worse."
"I'd hope grown men behave better than children," I said dryly. Although I'd met plenty of children who behaved better than Fade. He seemed to fit neatly into the expression, ‘old enough to know better, too young to give a shit.’
“You might be exactly what they need," she said, turning the stem of the wine glass between her fingers. "A woman who won't put up with their crap. My bet is you'll knee one of them in the groin before the year is over." One side of her mouth tugged up in a smile.
So she knew something about the situation.
“Can I ask what they told you about why I'm living here?” I straightened up and crossed my arms.
“Helmut spun me some tale about you needing somewhere to live and him being nice enough to offer you a year-long lease.” She rolled her eyes toward the ceiling.
“After all the years of me working here, he still thinks I was born yesterday.
I know there's something else going on here.
I don't know what,” she added before I could question her further.
"I know it's something. Whatever it is, it's your business and theirs, not mine.
I won't go poking my nose in where it doesn't belong and isn't welcome. "
"I wouldn't say it isn't welcome," I said. I could use an ally in this house. I liked Shannon. She didn't pull any punches. If anyone other than me was going to knee the guys in the groin, it would be her. I hoped I'd be there to see it.
“You might say that. It's not likely they'd agree,” she said easily. “They're notoriously private. That's what comes from working in security, I suppose. You learn not to trust anyone but yourself.”
She didn't seem to approve of that mindset. Her smile had faded, replaced with a frown, her lips a tight line.
"I suppose so," I agreed.
I was tempted to tell her about the proposal, but decided against it. She might be friendly to me, but at the end of the day, she was their employee. If there were sides to take, she'd take theirs.
Besides, the fewer people knew about it, the better. The last thing I wanted was for this to get back to my fathers. As long as they thought the money came from the crowdfunding campaign, they'd let me give it to them. Not happily, but they'd take it.
“You've known them for a long time,” I guessed.
"Before I worked for them." She nodded. “My son used to go to school with Oak and Faden.” She glanced toward the darkened window, a wistful expression on her face.
"Were they friends?" I asked.
"Right up until Hamish died.” She blinked but her eyes seemed dry. "The three of them were thick as thieves."
"I'm sorry for your loss," I said softly.
"It was years ago now," she said. “Still, every day I miss that little prick. Motorcycle. He was riding too fast. Didn't take the corner." She shrugged one shoulder. “I don't know how many times I told him to slow the fuck down.”
"That's terrible," I said sincerely. She was clearly still in pain from losing her son. I couldn't imagine what that must feel like. That she was still quietly grieving was obvious.
"You have two dads?" she asked. "What happened to your mother?" That was blunt, but a question I didn't mind answering. Not too much, anyway.
"She died when I was a baby," I said. “I was only a few months old, so I don't remember her. My dads are the only parents I've ever known. I was lucky to have them.”
"Sounds like it," Shannon agreed. “I’ve met them a handful of times. They seem nice."
"They are nice," I agreed.
Of course they were. If they weren't, I wouldn't be standing here right now having this conversation with her.
Or would I? If they weren't nice, would I have stood by and let the bar go under?
Probably not, but I don't suppose the question mattered too much.
Speculation wouldn't change anything. They were who they were, and I was here right now.
Still annoyed at Fade for getting me off, then walking out.
What was I going to do the next time I saw him?
I already knew confronting him wouldn’t do any good. He’d shrug it off and have a good laugh.
No, whatever I did, it was going to have to be a lot more subtle.