Page 80 of Fallen Flame

“I know.”

“I appreciate the effort, though.”

He smirked. “I figured.”

I disappeared into the bathroom before either one of us could get ourselves into trouble.

A quick shower wasn’t in the cards this morning, so I settled for brushing my teeth, washing my face, throwing my hair into a messy ponytail, and changing clothes.

When I stepped back into the bedroom, Oliver was exactly where I’d left him—standing by the door, waiting.

I laughed.

“You really do wait for me.”

“Only for the things that are worth it.”

Such a simple answer, yet somehow, it made butterflies flutter in my stomach.

Together, we headed down the hallway.

The clubhouse was fully awake now. Someone had music playing low from the kitchen. Coffee brewed somewhere nearby. Laughter floated through the air. I caught the smell of bacon.

The clubhouse was starting to smell like home.

We rounded the corner into the common room, and I immediately noticed two women I’d never seen before.

They stood near one of the couches, talking to Mason and Adley.

One had dark hair pulled into a high ponytail and wore ripped jeans with a faded band T-shirt tucked into them. The other had long chestnut hair hanging loose around her shoulders and wore leggings and an oversized hoodie that looked suspiciously stolen from somebody else’s closet.

Both looked up and smiled. “Oliver!”

Before I knew what was happening, they’d crossed the room and each wrapped him in a hug.

I stopped beside the couch, once again confused.

Seriously.

I was beginning to think confusion was my permanent state since moving into this clubhouse.

Oliver hugged both women before stepping back and motioning to me. “Lark.” He motioned toward them. “This is Drew,” he said, pointing toward the brunette, “and Demi,” then toward the blonde. “Mason’s nieces.”

“Oh!”

Everything immediately made more sense.

I smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too,” Drew said warmly.

Demi grinned. “So you’re Lark.”

I blinked. “...Should I be worried that everyone already knows who I am?”

“Clubhouse,” Demi said with a shrug. “Nothing stays quiet around here. Adley was just telling us about you.”

“Not even a little is secret,” Drew agreed.