6. FRANKIE
SIX
FRANKIE
May.
I barrel down the stairs and into the kitchen. “What a fucking day.” I think I’ve decided I don’t like people. “I need a glass of red. Like yesterday. I hate traveling.” Especially when it’s to fucking San Francisco.
I snap my fingers at Shane, who is already pulling out a bottle and grabbing a glass for me. Because he gets me. God, I could kiss him. “And does anyone have industrial powered ear plugs? I really do not need to hear my brother’s sex noises.”
I take a sip of the wine Shane just handed me and close my eyes with a hum.
Divine. I’ve at least showered the airport filth off me and am now in my favorite casual wear.
But between the rude woman who was dead set on the seat I was in being hers—spoiler, it was my fucking seat because I can read.
I do not understand how being in the wrong seat is a thing.
Like 2A, 3B. These are elementary level letters and numbers, honey—and the luggage in the overhead bin that fell on my boot that was most likely full of fucking bricks. I am just done. Done, I tell you.
I also had to spend the entire trip working with Nick. Lucky me just got assigned a second client—which I will be co-heading with him. So that was obviously very fun.
My eyes snap open and clash with a set of dark irises beneath a scowling brow. Oh, hello now.
I slide my wineglass onto the kitchen island and stalk forward. “And who brought home this snack?”
His eyes widen and dart to the side, probably to Shaney-babe. “Help,” he mouths.
Shane chuckles from behind me, and I bite back a smile.
I pause in front of the…well, the giant. He’s a skyscraper. Jed Stone Jr. in the flesh. I run a finger down the center of his chest.
“Hmmm. Let me guess. Baseball player. Shortstop. You’ve got a command about you. I bet you like to be in control,” I purr. Of course, I know who he is, know the position he plays. But it’s fun to play.
His mouth opens and closes and finally a squeaky, “Jed Stone,” surfaces.
How adorable. I love when I make big men nervous. Not that I’m a small guy. I’m six-two, similar in size to Shaney-babe, but not nearly as cut.
I laugh softly and grin. “Oh, honey. I know. The elusive Jed Stone Junior.” I look at Shane. “Pictures do not do him justice. I approve, Shaney babe. I approve.”
Excellent choice. Reminds me of another Clippers player. Tall. Built. Dark. Broody. But that beauty plays center field and has baby blues I’d like to dive into.
“Frankie, behave!” Maddy’s shout echoes through the townhouse.
It doesn’t work. Frankie doesn’t know how to behave.
I shoot Jed a look beneath my lashes. “Do you two share?”
His eyes spread even wider.
“Nope,” Shane says loudly, popping the ‘p’. “Sorry, Frankie. That’s all mine.”
Ooooh. Possessive. Very interesting.
I give Jed’s bicep a quick squeeze. “Yum.” Then I go back to my wine. It’s a shame. Shane and Jed? I’d love to get in the middle of that. It has been much too long since I’ve had any action other than my Fleshlight.
I’m in the middle of studying for an exam for my job, and between that and actual work—including traveling for client meetings—going out to pick up has been the last thing I have energy for.
I settle on the loveseat. The loveseat and couch are arranged in an L around the coffee table, and the lovebirds have taken the couch.
Maddy narrows his eyes on me, and my face must be doing a thing because he asks, “What’s wrong?”
My attention darts between him and Easton. “You two sure you don’t share?”
Easton leans into Maddy and laughs. “Frankie, you know Maddy would have to kill you if you touched me.”
“I know. All these goddamned possessive men in this house. What is up with that?” It’s extremely sexy, and I hate it. “It’s not fair that you all fill this house with your sex-noises and don’t let me join. Honestly, it’s extremely rude and inconsiderate.”
“You could…go out and find someone,” Maddy says very sensibly.
“I’m tired,” I whine. “I just want someone to come here and service me. I’m too tired. This exam is kicking my ass. Is it so much to ask for a DickDash of sorts? Uber Orgasm?”
Easton snickers, his cheeks going pink. He’s so easy to fluster. Sweet, sweet East.
“Apps like that do exist, Frankie,” Maddy points out.
Meh. I know. I don’t actually want that.
I like to feel things out in person first. It’s so much harder to get a sense of chemistry over an app.
There’s also this small part of me that’s terrified I’ll accidentally agree to hook up with some nameless, faceless man off an app…
and it’ll be a co-worker. That happened once before, and look how that ended up. Total destruction.
Thudding footsteps come from the stairs, and Paulie and Shelby wander into the living room.
The stairs lead right to it, and the entire first floor is just one long room.
Entry, kitchen, then living room. There’s one bedroom when you first walk in.
That’s Shaney-babe’s room. All the rest of us have bedrooms upstairs.
I glance toward the kitchen where Shane has his arms wrapped around Jed from behind while they chop vegetables. Well, isn’t that just darling.
Paulie flops on the couch next to his friends on the side closest to the loveseat, cheeks flushed and hair slicked back.
And that is why I am down here. I was studying in my bedroom, but what caused that red-in-the-face sweatiness was something I wanted to get far, far away from.
I love my brother more than anything but hearing his sex-noises is where I draw the line.
Shelby bops over to me, and I pat the couch cushion. “Hey, babe,” I say and offer my cheek.
She busses it and then cuddles into my side. My Shelby. She’s my snuggle buddy. And partner in crime. “I’m here for an entire week, Frank!”
My chest lights up. “This week just got so much better. I have an exam in two weeks, so you can wait on me hand and foot while you’re here.”
“Because I know what you go through for your exams, I’m not even going to reprimand you for that. Whatever you need, I got you.”
I have to take a series of exams to earn credentials for my profession.
Right now, I’m an Associate of the Society of Actuaries, and I’m one exam away from becoming a Fellow.
The exams are ridiculously difficult. They say 100 hours of studying per hour of exam at minimum to be able to pass.
Most of the exams are around three hours long.
I know myself now and learned the hard way that I need more than that.
So, all that to say, in the month leading up to my exam, I settle under my little study rock and forget the world exists.
“You know I love you, Sea-Shelbs. More than I even love Paulie.”
“Fuck you very much,” Paulie throws out.
I’m lying, of course. I love Shelby, and I hope she’s Paulie’s forever because they’re perfect for each other. She’s the perfect addition to our family, but nothing will ever match me and Pauls’s bond.
I extend my hand, and Paulie reaches out and grabs it for a squeeze. When he was little, he used to always play with my hands. A small tactile thing, I guess. It calmed him. It’s funny, because I notice he does it sometimes with Shelby now. Like I said. She’s perfect for him.
I squeeze back. “Love you, Pao Pao.”
“Love you, Chessie.”
Francesco and Paolo. Brothers and best friends.
I’m going to really miss him when he gets the call-up. And I know it’s coming. My little bro is as talented as they come. Having him live here again has been everything. But soon it’ll be his time.
And then I’ll be all alone again.
Empty hookups, empty home.