Page 31 of Give Me Peace

“Anything for you, Say. Give me a sec.”

He’s back in a flash, which my bladder appreciates, and I promise to be out shortly. I do my business, rid my mouth of fuzzies and decide to take a quick bath to rinse the dried sweat from my body. Once I’m clean and dried off, I slip Havok’s hoodie on. It’s all black and lands exactly where Kash’s did, swallowing me whole. I head to the closet for some clean panties and lounge shorts, then free my hair from the clip I’d placed it in to keep it dry. It’s going to be gross soon, which means I’ll have to wash it one handed or ask for help. Neither option sounds appealing.

When I get to the kitchen, a plate of food is already waiting at what’s become my designated stool. It’s a lot fuller this time, with three pieces of bacon, a biscuit, and a sliced-up strawberry. My stomach growls, making Roan smile. He's got dimples in both cheeks, but they only show if he’s really grinning. They’re out and proud this morning. The guys are too busy scarfing down their food to talk, so I start on my perfectly crunchy bacon, humming in contentment.

“So, yesterday sucked,” Krew deadpans, making me choke on the food I’d been swallowing. Roan pats my back gently, sliding my OJ closer as he glares at the other man.

“It’s all good, Big Guy. Just caught me off guard.” I wave him off and clear my throat. “Uh, yeah. Pretty sucky, if I do say so myself.” I nod at Krew in agreement.

“I think, given the circumstances and everything you’ve had thrown at you this past week, you’re doing pretty damn great, Saylor.” Lochlan gives me a reassuring smile. It’s nice to hear him say that, but I don’t agree. It’s like I have pockets of happiness, this morning for example, but it never lasts.

“Here, here.” Kash clinks his glass against mine. His timing is impeccable, always bringing levity to the heavy moments right when it’s needed.

“The guys have to run some errands today, but Krew and I will be here. Is there anything you’d like for them to pick up while they’re out?” Lochlan asks as he goes about making his second cup of coffee.

“Not that I can think of but thank you.” I take another bite of my biscuit, wondering who made breakfast today. The flaky dough practically melts in my mouth.

“Come on, pretty girl. Surely you can think of something. Food, drinks, girly shit.” Havok braces his forearms on the counter across from me, his face right in front of mine. I narrow my eyes, but his smirk is light and playful.

“Specifically, what type of ‘girly shit’ would you be referring to?” I take another bite of my delicious biscuit as I wait him out.

“Oh, I’ve already bought Saylor all the shits. Hair shit, body shit, clothes shit, period s…” My eyes widen just as Kash’s verbal diarrhea is cut off by his twin’s hand covering his mouth.

“That’s enough from you, brother,” Krew grumbles, a look of exasperation on his normally blank expression.

My face feels like it’s on fire, but Havok looks mighty pleased with himself. I think there will always be a part of him that enjoys teasing me. It’s just who he is. Thankfully, it’s all in good fun now.

“Your pink cheeks are my favorite,” Havok whispers, stealing the last bite of my biscuit and popping it in his mouth.

“No, you didn’t!” I suck in a shocked breath. “I wanted that.” I poke my bottom lip out, my eyes doing that thing Mom used to yell at me for. She hated when I’d give her this exact look while trying to get my way. The guys look at Havok with murder in their eyes. I watch, in slow motion, as horror washes over his face.

“Fuck, Say. I’m sorry.”

“Did you just eat her food?” Kash cocks his head to the side. “Surely not. Right, Ro?” He looks to the man sitting beside me.

“You’re dead.” Roan stands so fast his barstool gets knocked over. Havok bolts, vaulting over the couch, but his lead is dwindling by the second. You’d think his size would slow him down, but Roan’s just as fast and agile as the man he’s chasing. I spin around, watching as they go round and round. Eventually, Havok gets put in a headlock, his face buried right in Roan’s armpit.

“Fuck, man. Have you showered recently?” His muffled words are barely distinguishable. Roan marches him across the room and stops directly in front of me.

“Apologize,” he demands, holding Havok by the back of his shirt like he’s an errant child.

“Sorry, pretty girl.” His icy blue eyes look genuinely remorseful.

“It’s okay.” I shrug and hike a thumb over my shoulder. “There’s three more on the baking sheet.” Their heads swivel as one, staring at the remaining biscuits in silence. Kash is the first to give in to his laughter, but it doesn’t take long for the others to join.

“Oh, you find this funny, huh?” Havok is grinning. “Let’s see how funny you find it when you’ve got Ro’s pit sweat all over you.” Havok lunges, rubbing his face all over mine and against my neck. I’m laughing so hard it makes my ribs throb, but I can’t seem stop. It feels like ages before he relents. As I try to catch my breath and wipe my watery eyes, he stares at me, a look of pure happiness in place of the angry one he used to wear like body armor.

“God, I love that sound.” Havok frames my face with his hands and plants a kiss on my forehead. It stuns me stupid, so I just sit there and gape after him as he winks and heads down the hallway. Kash fake gags, breaking me out of my daze.

“Here, let me fix it.” He takes the sleeve of his sweater and wipes my forehead, dropping his own kiss in place of Havok’s. “There. Much better.” Kash boops my nose, an apparent favorite of his, and grins in satisfaction.

“Bloody idiot.” Lochlan groans, the bridge of his nose pinched between his fingers. I just shake my head, secretly loving all the crazy. This whole morning has felt oddly normal, especially after the nighttime debacle I caused, and I’m desperate for more moments just like this.

Chapter Seventeen

Krew

The guys left a while ago, but I doubt they’ll be gone long. Not one of them had any interest in leaving the house, or should I say Saylor, but Loch and I need to have a conversation with her that doesn’t involve anyone else. At least until she decides otherwise. I’d been awake, working through bank statements for a client, when Saylor’s ear-piercing scream shattered through quiet. I’d bolted from my office, nearly busting my ass trying to get to her, only to find her door locked.