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“I told her she was basically twelve and to mind her own business.”

“Something tells me she won’t mind her business much longer.”

Clay laughs. “She definitely won’t. Thankfully, Meeka doesn’t know the specifics. She only knows what happens during the day, and hopefully it stays that way. If either tells my dad everything, I’ll die.”

I smile. I really like this softer version of Clay. Who would have thought that under the dick persona is a decent human being? “You’re not what people think you are.”

His brow furrows. “What do they think I am?”

“An asshole who will throw people off the bridge.”

He laughs, and it’s more than a chuckle; it’s a full belly laugh. “I would definitely throw people off the bridge.”

“I don’t doubt it, but that is not all you are.”

He yanks the pillow from under his head and puts it over mine. “Go to sleep before you blow my cover.”

He pulls it off when I let out a muffled giggle. “I would never.”

But I roll over and face away from him, and he pulls my body back against his. As I snuggle into his warmth and the feeling of safety, my eyes fall closed straight away.

Chapter Twelve

Clay

Kayla is still asleep, one arm thrown over her face and her hair spread all over my pillows. During the night my shirt crept up her thighs, and a sliver of her thong now peeks out, but I pull the door closed slowly and let her sleep.

When I get downstairs, I go straight to the kitchen. Vero is sitting on the counter with his morning coffee, and Ares is at the table with his newspaper. I’m not even sure anyone else reads the actual print version anymore. We give him hell about being an old man and showing his age.

Vero stares at me as I walk in, but I ignore him.

“Why do you look different?” he finally asks.

“I don’t,” I say, grabbing a mug.

“You do . . . your face is doing something. Ares, look at his face.”

Ares glances up and shifts his eyes to me, then looks back down.

“I know what it is,” Vero says with a snap of his fingers. “You’re smiling. Since when do you smile? Your signature facial expression is a scowl.”

I pour my coffee and take a sip. “Kayla is in my bed. Why don’t you keep her company, Vero?”

“I knew it, you’re happy,” he says, jumping down off the counter. He puts his mug down so fast that it spills everywhere, but he is already halfway out the door before I stop him.

“Vero.” He spins to face me. “Don’t wake her up if she is still asleep.”

He puts his hand on his chest. “I would never.”

“Yes, you would. But she was up late.”

“Okay, I would, but I promise today I won’t. I will sit there and watch her sleep.”

Well, that’s not creepy.

He disappears into the hallway, and I listen as he takes the stairs, then hear my bedroom door open. I turn back to Ares, taking the seat across from him.

“Where’s Brawley?” I ask in a hushed tone.