26
THEA
I triple check the schedule for today. Back-to-back clients—not mine, though. Cassie asked me to fill in for her when she got offered a gig for a week long music festival in Atlanta.
I happily agreed, anything to smooth things over after the bad reviews we received. Plus, her clients are paying me, so that’s a bonus, considering my bookings are practically non-existent for the next few days.
Everything has to go perfectly. Cass is trusting me to show up and do as good, if not better, of a job than her. And I will. I’ve even told the guys that I need the weekend to focus on this.
The more time I spend with them, the more I find I’m consumed by them. I need some space to concentrate, although I have a feeling that missing them might be as distracting as being around them.
My afternoon in the reading room with Sutton four days ago left me wanting more. I certainly tried, however, he said he wants to take things slowly. For some reason, I’m not buying it. There’s something else going on—I just can’t figure out what.
We’ve become comfortable enough that kissing and touching each other in front of the others doesn’t feel strange anymore. It’s odd if I think about it from an outsider’s perspective, yet from mine it feels… right.
Cole has been nothing but consistently sweet, present, and attentive. The last couple of nights that I’ve spent at their house, I’ve skipped sleeping in the guest room and found myself in his bed.
All of those fantasies of his mouth between my legs didn’t come close to the real thing—it’s so much better. I’m eager to take it to the next level, but he’s fine with a slower pace, like Sutton. I may have started out wanting to take my time. Now, that’s changed. These guys are going to drive me mad when all I need is for someone to fuck me after a year of celibacy.
I push the thoughts out of my head before it sends me into a spiral that ends in self destruction.
Damian and Wesley are still distant, in their own ways. Damian is hot and cold, so I never know where I stand with him. Wesley… I don’t know. I thought we were making progress. However, it feels like he’s been avoiding me lately. I’m fine with not rushing things with the two of them.
Although, I’d be lying if I said that Damian didn’t intrigue me. Beneath that carefully controlled exterior, he’s tethering something darker. I can feel it when he looks at me—I wouldn’t mind being his undoing. He’s trouble, Thea.
I hear the door to the studio open and the faint sound of chatter. Putting on a smile that Cass would be proud of, I excitedly greet the expectant mom and her partner. Five exhausting hours later and I collapse on the couch in my studio. I underestimated how much work it would be to coach Cassie’s clients. I’m used to posing my clients provocatively while hers require more whimsy and softness.
Checking my phone, there are three missed calls. All from my landlord, Kenneth. Considering I haven’t heard a word from him since he gave me the keys to my apartment, the sudden excessive need to contact me fills me with dread.
With my string of bad luck, I’m afraid this could be the next thing. I run through the scenarios. My check cleared for rent a couple of weeks ago, so that wouldn’t be an issue. I’m a quiet resident, so my neighbors have no reason to complain. Maybe he needs to schedule a pest control visit, I try to reassure myself. It does nothing for the knot in my stomach.
The phone rings twice before I hear Kenneth’s gruff voice on the other end. “Yes?”
“Hi, this is Thea. Thea Griffin in apartment 104. You called a few time—”
“Yeah, yeah. Your apartment is flooded. We got a call from your next-door neighbor. I had to break in to find out where it was coming from.” His words are slowly becoming a jumbled mess. Flooded is the last thing I hear before I space out. “Miss? Are you listening?”
“Sorry. What happened?”
“You left the faucet in your bathroom running all day and the sink overflowed. You need to come grab whatever you can and find somewhere to stay while I get this mess sorted out.” He’s pissed. But I don’t understand. I didn’t leave the faucet on—I don’t think I did.
When Kenneth hangs up, I try retracing my steps from this morning and I simply can’t recall if I turned it off.
I need to see how bad the damage is and what I can salvage. Maybe Kenneth’s being dramatic, I try to reason. However, I know that if the neighbor called, it had to be bad enough that someone saw what was happening from outside of my apartment.
Locking up the studio, I head home and call Cassie.
“Hey girl, how’s it going?” I can tell she’s nervous that I’ve called, possibly expecting that something happened with one of her clients.
“Hey, today went well. I’m heading home now, but I got a call from my landlord. Apparently, there was a flood in my apartment.”
“Oh shit, I’m sorry. Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I’m going to see how bad it is. I wanted to see if I could stay at your place until they get things fixed up.”
There’s a pause on the other end. “My home is yours, but Anthony’s with me. I don’t have any spare keys for you to let yourself in. Can you stay with Cole? At least until I get back?”
I already feel like he does too much for me and I hate to impose on the four of them. It’s that or trying to find a motel. Financially, that really isn’t an option. “Yeah, of course. I’m sure he’ll be fine with that.” I smile as I say it so that she doesn’t feel like she needs to worry about me.
“Good. As soon as I get back, we’ll get your stuff and you can stay in the guest room. Okay?”
“Sounds good. How’s the event going?”
Cassie goes on for a good five minutes, telling me about what an amazing time she’s having and all the people she’s been able to network with. I’m happy for her, even if I feel like my life is derailing at the moment. She’s saying goodbye just as I’m walking up to my apartment.
I take a steadying breath and push open the door that’s slightly ajar, hoping for the best.
I’m not sure what I’m expecting, maybe a flood of water to rush out at me when I opened the door. It certainly isn’t as theatrical as that. But it’s a good lesson in how not much water is needed to create exponential damage.
There’s less than an inch of it covering the floor, yet it’s enough to have soaked into the cheap cabinets in the kitchen, the TV stand in my living room, and the fabric sofa that sits flush with the floor.
It takes me a few minutes to figure out where to start. I feel utterly defeated.
Grabbing a trash bag from under the sink, I fill it, mostly with clothes. My sneakers and legs of my pants are soaked by the time I’m finished. I send a message in the group chat.
Me: Anyone have time to call me?
I wait five minutes and hear nothing. I can’t remember if Cole is working today, but it’s my best shot. If I can’t find him there, I’ll head to the bookstore.
I groan at the thought of lugging this trash bag around town. What will people come up with when they see me like this?
Sweat beads on my forehead, the bag in my arms as heavy as the anxiety in my stomach—mostly because of the stares I’ve already gotten as I walk down the sidewalk. I pass a man who scrunches his face at me.
I don’t hide my exaggerated eye roll.
“Hey Miss,” he calls from behind me. Looking over my shoulder as I continue walking, I can see that he’s stopped. “You’re Cole’s girl, right?” This makes me halt.
Facing him, I answer. “Yeah.”
“Is that your truck in my shop?” This must be the mechanic who’s been waiting for the replacement part.
“Yes. Any updates on that part? I didn’t think it’d take this long.”
The corners of his mouth turn down and his brows knit. “It’s ready. I’ve been trying to reach Cole about it for the last couple of days. I should start charging you a storage fee.” It comes out as a joke, although he doesn’t smile. “Can you come get it now?”
I nod. “Yeah, um… I don’t have a ride. How far away is the shop?”
“It’s not far, but I’m parked over here if you need one.” He doesn’t appear untrustworthy, plus Cole knows him. I should question it more, however, I don’t have the energy. I just want my truck back so that I don’t have to traipse all over town trying to find a ride.
He’s right, the shop isn’t far at all and after our initial meeting, Danny seems like a nice enough guy. He tells me that Cole has already taken care of the payment. Another thing to add to the list.
I throw the bag into the bed of the truck and turn the engine over. There’s something comforting about the familiarity of having it back. Yet as I look over, I see the crumpled piece of paper. The one that was stuck in my air vent by Gavin weeks ago.
Thankfully, he seems to have gotten the message after Damian’s warning, whatever that might have been. But that little scrap of paper is a reminder of the slow downhill trajectory my life has taken since that night. There are things to be grateful for, however, those feel overshadowed by all the bad. It can’t get any worse than the flood. I believe this thought, nothing else can top that, I’m sure of it.
I head off towards Cole’s house feeling like an absolute mess.
COLE
“I said I was sorry. I don’t know how many more times I can say it.” Sutton means it, but it does nothing to dampen the annoyance I’ve been feeling this week after he admitted that they got carried away at the bookstore.
Running my hands over my face, I take a deep breath in and release it. “Okay. It’s okay.” It’s not, however, I can’t hold a grudge forever. I glance up and see my three brothers staring at me. “I’m fine.”
They know me better than anyone. I can tell they don’t believe me.
I’ve been on edge for weeks. Thea’s presence is the only thing that seems to relax me. Speaking of Thea. All of our phones buzzed at the same time. The group chat. I’m sure of it. She’s reaching out and none of us are answering her. It makes my nerves jolt to life.
“You’re not fine. Is there something going on that we don’t know about?” Damian questions.
We’re all sitting in the living room, having a family meeting. Usually, they’re pretty uneventful. We go over anything important that might be coming up, settle any issues between us, and go over finances.
I shake my head, looking down at my hands. “No, just been stressed lately is all.” I rub the black stain on my fingertip to distract me from his question.
“Yeah, we’ve noticed,” Wesley huffs. I shoot him a glare that tells him not to start. He’s the last one that should judge anyone for being in a mood. He’s been even more distant and pissy since she started coming around—it only got worse after the carnival.
“That’s enough,” Damian orders. “Let’s go over the businesses and finances.” He looks to Sutton first. “The bookstore is breaking just above even. We can’t rely on the same people to come into the store. We need to attract new business. Have you thought of hosting an event? Maybe poetry night or a writer meet up?”
I want to laugh a little, but I hold back. The whole reason Sutton loves his bookstore is because almost no one shops there. He can read his books all day without being bothered. That doesn’t matter, though. The businesses need to bring in a profit.
Damian may have been kind enough to help us all get started, but he isn’t going to let us take advantage.
“Yeah, not a problem. I’ll get something going,” Sutton says casually, although I can see the tenseness that’s pulling at his eyes and mouth. He’s an introvert, so this is his worst nightmare.
“Wes, you doubled your profits last month. Great job. Keep it up.” Wesley gives a wide, gloating grin.
“That’s how you do it, boys.”
I roll my eyes. “Three months ago you were in the red. Don’t get cocky.”
It’s hard to deny that Damian’s business brings in the most money, by a lot. He never lets us know it though. He might be a controlling bastard, but flaunting money isn’t his thing. Thankfully, the bakery does pretty well and I stay under the radar—for the most part.
I wait for Damian to gloss over my business so we can wrap things up. I want to make sure Thea’s alright. My brother squints at the folder in his hands.
“Cole… This report from the accountant is off.” He hands it to me and my eyes roam the sheet. It’s familiar. We get a report on each of our businesses every month, showing profits and losses. Bank statements are attached as well as the documentation that helps validate the bakery’s expenses and income.
I shrug. “What do you mean?”
“Look at the employee payout sheet.” I flip to the page in the report that lists all of my employees and their monthly wages. “Natalie is making almost twice as much as any other employee you have. You have it listed that she’s a cashier.” My eyes move down the list of names and I see what he’s talking about.
“Yeah, you’re right. That’s strange. I bet I fat fingered something and threw off the numbers. I’m surprised she didn’t say anything when her deposit went in. Sorry about that man, I’ll be more careful next time.”
He nods. “See if you can find out why Natalie didn’t say anything about her paycheck. A couple hundred bucks I might be able to dismiss, but a thousand? That’s not something she wouldn’t have noticed.”
I twist the wolf ring on my finger, glancing back at the dining room table where our phones sit.
“Last thing on the agenda is Thea. We’ll be adding her into our discussions so we can keep tabs on how she’s doing or if there are any issues. We’ll go around and each give an update on how things are progressing with her. Sutton, you start.”
I barely listen as Sutton goes on about how amazing Thea is and how he loves that she’s coming to the bookstore more to spend time with him. Wes doesn’t have much to say other than she’s not bothering him, which I guess is good. My turn.
“Things are going great.” I don’t elaborate. Considering I’ve spent the most time with her, Damian doesn’t like that. He scowls at me until I continue. “I think she’s fitting in really well with us. She’s been sleeping in my room more now.” I know exactly what he’s after. I’ve been putting it off, however, I don’t think he’s going to back down anymore. “I haven’t fucked her.”
He leans back on the couch, folding his arms over his chest. “I made the rules for a reason, but Cole, if you’re purposely dragging this out—”
“Fuck you,” I spit at him. “I’ve already told Thea that we’d take this at her pace. I’m not going to rush her.” My brothers look at me too calmly.
It’s Sutton who speaks, probably since we’re the closest. “She wants to fuck, bro.” His head tilts as he says it confidently. He’s alluding to his slip up at the bookstore days ago. She wanted to fuck him—that’s what he’s not saying. I can’t deny it. The way she allows me to touch her, I know that she’d let me do anything I want.
As much as she might be ready for it, I’m not in a rush despite what I’ve told Damian. I want to enjoy all the moments learning her body and what she likes without them pressuring me to hurry up. They’re being selfish, it’s starting to irritate me.
Leaning back in my seat, I meet Damian’s gaze. “Alright, I’ll get things rolling. Then, Sutton can do his thing.”
Damian’s about to give his update when we hear a knock at the door.