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“Yeah?”
“For what it's worth? Life is too short to let her affect you this way for this long.”
I furrowed my brows. “What?”
He sighed. “What Millie did was wrong. But she was deployed in a war zone just like us, she was trying to get through those rough days. I know she hurt the three of you, but that doesn’t mean Thea will do the same.”
I grunted. “I’m not willing to find out.”
Shane chuckled, opening the hatch. His head shook and he climbed out, then waited for me to exit. “You always were the stubborn one of the group.”
It was my turn to cook dinner, and of course Parker and Hendrix had invited Thea back to eat. They’d spent the last thirty minutes taking turns in the bathroom, and were now hanging at the kitchen table munching from the fruit bowl I set in the center.
Thea’s hair was wet, and she was wearing one of Parker’s plain white t-shirts and black basketball shorts. It hadn’t even been two weeks since they first brought her home, and already she was coming around more and more.
I stood over the stove, stirring the asparagus I was sauteeing while the oven beeped to let me know the salmon was ready.
Out of my peripheral, Parker was nuzzled into Thea’s neck, while she popped a piece of pineapple into his mouth. He nipped at her delicate finger painted a light pink color, and she laughed.
Thea didn’t realize the darkness that lay beneath the two men she was spending her time with, didn’t realize the cruel men they could be. She didn’t know of the crimes they committed, the bones they broke, the danger that she was in. She sure as hell didn’t realize that she was in the lion’s den, playing with the very men that could hurt her.
I scowled, shaking my head. They were pretending with her, and that didn’t sit right with me. She needed to know the truth, know what she was dealing with. If I had to be the one who showed her, I would.
I plated the food, then piled up all of our dishes, two in each arm like a server, and headed to the table. Thea took the plates, distributing them, and we fell into an awkward silence that I knew was the cause of my presence.
I’d been less than welcoming to her. I’d made it clear that she was someone I didn’t want around.
Clearing my throat, picking up my fork and taking a bite of salmon. When I finished chewing, I cleared my throat. Then, making eye contact with her, I said, “How’s the bar coming along?”
Her head snapped up, eyes so bright, like sapphire brown, dancing with excitement. I was giving her an inch, and she was about to take a mile. My lips twitched and I reached for the glass of water. Bringing it to my mouth, my eyes challenged hers, waiting for a response. The tension between us was thick, the air crackled with an electricity I hadn’t felt in a long while.
“It’s good. I’ve still got so much to do. I think it’ll be done soon, though. Hendrix said he could help me with the roof.”
I set my glass down, offering her a slight nod. I pulled my gaze away. That was enough eye contact for now. I’d lure her in, then scare her away. It would take time, but I was a patient man.
Hendrix glanced at me, his lips in a scowl as he tried to figure out what I was doing. Parker, on the other hand? Well, he grinned, his hand tracing circles along Thea’s shoulder. He was excited that I was finally on board with this relationship.
They had no idea what I was planning beneath the facade.
Did Thea know about Millie? Did she know that the three of us once shared the same woman? Or did she think it only involved the two of them? I wondered how much they’d kept from her, and how much they’d been honest with her.
Chapter Sixteen
Thea
“Thanks for dinner,” I said, rinsing off the last dish and handing it to Calder.
“Had to eat, and it was my turn to cook.” He graced me with the slightest lip twitch.
That was the closest to a smile I’d get from him. Still, I took it as a win. Calder put the plate into the dishwasher then closed it and started the cycle. Hendrix and Parker were in the living room, playing pool.
My cheeks heated, thinking about the first night I’d come here, and what happened on that pool table. Calder must have been thinking the same, because he stood tall, crossing his large arms over his chest. His gaze settled on my mouth. How much did he hear of that night? Probably all of it. The house was small and the walls were thin.
“I should get going. I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow,” I said.
Calder shook his head. “How are you getting home? Tweedle dee and dumb have been drinking since dinner.”
“Oh…” I cleared my throat.
