11
COLE
Glancing at my phone again, it’s free of notifications. It’s disappointing. I open the text thread and reread my message to Thea. I sent it over an hour ago. She’s probably with a client, I try to reassure myself.
Me: Hey, I was thinking of you could invite Cassie and her boyfriend over this weekend for dinner and game night. What do you think?
I don’t want Thea thinking that I want her to abandon her friendships now that we’re dating. I figured this would be a good way for Cassie to get to know me, just a casual dinner and some games.
It’s silly, but Thea means something to me already and I value what’s important to her.
I’m trying hard to take things slow. If the pool incident on Monday is any indication, I’d say I’m doing a pretty shitty job of it. Something about her unleashed the side of me that rarely comes out.
Holding her in my arms, sharing our deepest vulnerabilities, it stripped me raw. I couldn’t contain myself when her body was clearly wanting me as much I wanted hers. I’ve replayed the scene in my head too many times to count.
Fuck, she looked too good not to touch, wearing practically nothing. I close my eyes and picture that pretty blue against her skin. The feel of her ass in my hands and her tits spilling out of her top as she pressed against my chest. It was too much temptation for me to resist.
Thea is a sweet girl, but her body is dangerous and she knows how to use it.
That look in her eyes as she stared down at me between her legs was one of power. She knew she possessed it all. I couldn’t stop myself after that. My mouth needed to taste every inch of her. And I did, although not enough for either of us to be satisfied. The interruption left me in a foul mood all evening after she went home.
My phone buzzes and I eagerly check it. It’s a message from Sutton in our group chat.
Sutton: Did Thea say yes to Saturday?
I watch as the thread shows that we’ve all seen Sutton’s message. I sigh and reply.
Me: Haven’t heard back…
Damian may have thought he got the last laugh with his taunting, but I made sure it was me.
Kissing her in front of them with the taste of her pussy on my tongue satisfied me enough to get through the rest of Thea’s visit. And the shock on her face like we committed some horrible crime reassured me that as dangerous as her body is, she still has limits—I like that.
Letting my brothers know she was the best I’ve ever tasted was the cherry on top, just a little something to rub it in their faces. And it wasn’t a lie.
Thea tasted heavenly and I’ve been craving her ever since.
More and more lately, I’ve been feeling like the middle child in our group—overlooked and unimportant. It’s probably why I threw Thea in their faces and why I’ve been in a mood. This time, I’m not going to be overshadowed. Thea even said it herself—she sees me. That’s all I’ve ever wanted. And now I know that it’s all she’s ever wanted too.
My phone dings.
Thea: Yes! Cassie says they’re in!
The tightness in my chest eases.
THEA
I check the creased list in my hand as I walk down the aisle, eyeing the products that line the shelves. Thankfully, my grocery needs are pretty simple. I’m a creature of habit and convenience.
Eggs with some salsa for breakfast. Soup for lunch since it’s easy and portable for days at the studio. And for dinner, I rotate through a few different ingredients. This week I’ll have salmon and chicken with sweet potatoes, green beans, and rice.
I don’t need a lot to survive.
My cart squeaks along as I come to a stop in front of the jars of salsa. Eyeing the different types, I pick up one to make sure it’s gluten-free.
I’m reading the label when I hear whispers from a few feet away. My curiosity kicks in and I listen without turning my head so they don’t realize I can hear them. Small town gossip can be entertaining and I wonder if I know who they’re talking about—probably not.
“I don’t know how she sleeps at night, knowing that she’s luring anyone she can into a life of sin. Next, she’ll be going after our husbands, convincing them to join her in her wickedness.”
I need to know more. What is this sinful woman doing that has the women in a frenzy? My mind wanders. Maybe she’s teaching a pole dancing class or owns a sex toy store. I drop back in on their conversation.
The other woman is chiming in this time. “I mean, who in their right mind wants to dress women in practically nothing and take photos of them? I think she gets off on that kind of thing. She has to like the ladies to be doing that kind of stuff, right?”
My face stings with embarrassment when I realize it’s me they’re talking about. Without thinking, I turn my head to see them staring right at me, continuing to talk. They meant for me to hear everything.
Putting the salsa into my cart, not sure if I even want it, I hurry out of the aisle.
I knew my niche of photography would be tougher here in a small town. However, having people say that I have ulterior motives leaves my chest aching. I’ve been nothing but professional.
Distracted, I try to finish the rest of my shopping without encountering the women again. I’m in the produce section when I hear more whispers.
“Millie, my nail girl, heard she’s been spending lots of time with those boys up on Toccoa River.” The woman’s voice is rough, like she’s smoked all her life.
“Mmm. The Wolfe Creek Four?”
“Uh huh! They keep to themselves an awful lot. Somethin’ about them don’t sit right with me. Why do four men their age need to be livin’ all in the same house? It’s odd.”
“My neighbor’s girl was eyeing that Cole boy, the one who owns the bakery, and she said that he wouldn’t so much as look her way. What’s so special about this one? Deanna is a pretty little thing and even watches over the babies during Sunday service.”
I can’t listen to their voices any longer. I’m afraid I might turn around and say something. These women have no shame or decency to, at the very least, wait until I’m gone to talk shit.
The woman at the register scans through my items and I try to calm myself. I half expect her to make some inappropriate comment, but she looks like she would rather be anywhere else—my life is none of her concern, thankfully.
I remind myself that despite what people are saying, my business is growing—albeit slowly. And Cole is a sweet soul. They will never understand the bond between him and his brothers. My life is as close to perfect as I can imagine.
There’s nothing anyone can do to take that away from me.
I’m still agitated when I meet with Cassie to look at properties for our expansion. The tense energy doesn’t go unnoticed. She waits until the realtor takes a call, letting us explore on our own for a few minutes.
“You’re off today. What happened? If Cole did something…” Her threat trails off, but I know all the things Cassie is capable of. Her mind is calculating. She has a few acts of petty revenge under her belt. She’s subtle with it too, although I hope I’ll never need to use her skills.
I shake my head. “No, Cole is…” I want to say perfect because that is how I feel, however, it’s so hard for me to reconcile giving him that much power over me. Cassie nods in understanding. “I was at the store today and these women were gossiping about me. And they clearly wanted me to hear. It was fucking rude.”
“What were they saying?” Cassie doesn’t seem surprised, her face nearly flat aside from the slight pull of her dark brows.
I glance back to see the realtor with her back to us, still on the phone. “They were saying how it’s strange for four guys to be living together. They were wondering what was so special about me that Cole would even show interest.” Saying it out loud makes me feel like I’m making a mountain out of a molehill. But it isn’t just that or just them.
The other women talking about my business hurt the worst. Although, I don’t feel like I can tell Cassie this. I don’t want her to worry that this will affect our plans.
“You’re going to have to get used to those kinds of comments.” Cassie gives me a strained smile, not one for comforting gestures like hugs. “People around here are bored. They’re looking for any distraction from their unhappy, lonely lives. Gossip is the only thing that makes them feel an ounce of importance around other miserable people.”
She’s right, yet their comments weigh heavily on me. “Is it strange that they live together?”
Cassie levels a gaze at me. “A bunch of guys in their thirties still living as roommates? Absolutely. But also… four hot guys living in a huge house where you’re the center of attention is kind of a dream come true.” She smirks playfully. I know she’s teasing. Still, a rush of heat courses through me at her words.
I’m embarrassed as soon as I feel it, trying to shove it away.
“I’m not the center of attention,” I correct her. “I’m the center of Cole’s attention.”
She eyes me. “Whatever you say.”
On the car ride back to the studio, we weigh the pros and cons of the two properties we need to decide between. There’s a clear winner. The one that’s closer to the studio has a recently renovated barn and a small but lovely home. We talk about the weddings we can host there and setting up a glass greenhouse for photography.
The possibilities feel endless.
We park and continue our excited chatter as we walk to the studio. Then, a breeze makes a flutter of white catch my eye. Wedged between the crease of the double doors to the studio is a piece of paper. I know before I take it between my fingers that it’s meant for me.
My stomach turns to lead.
“What is it?” Cassie doesn’t connect the dots like I do—like I have been for a few days.
My fingers shake as I unfold the note. Thea, I really want to talk about things. I’m in town. Call me. -G. The words turn my veins to ice and I look around, wondering if I’ll catch him watching us.
Cassie takes the note from my hands and reads the messy writing. “Gavin.” She doesn’t need to ask. It’s signed G, there’s no one else it could be. She rolls her eyes and crumbles the paper easily.
It’s easy for her to dismiss him—Cassie doesn’t know about the last time I saw Gavin.
No one does.
It’s that memory that has me shaking now. She and my parents believe that the last time I saw him was the day I moved out after he left to go out with friends. Blindsiding him.
I saw him once more. My fingers find my arm, rubbing it protectively.
The truth is, he showed up at my parent’s house one night, intercepting me as soon as I got home from work, when they weren’t there—like he’d been waiting for hours. Planning it.
“Thea, are you okay?” Cassie’s eyes search mine as I stare off somewhere behind us.
“I-I don’t know.”
Cassie unlocks the studio and ushers me inside. There’s a reason I didn’t tell her, or anyone else for that matter. I wanted to be done with him, also; I was afraid. I hoped he would forget about me and move on.
Nearly a year later, I thought I was in the clear.
Then the note in my truck appeared. I told myself I was being paranoid, although deep down, I knew. It was Gavin. Pushing his way back into my life. What scares me the most is that he’s held on this long and I’m not sure if it’s some sort of twisted version of love fueling this fixation. Or if it resembles something closer to hate.