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"You knew Adam about two seconds." He lifts his brows meaningfully.

I wrap my arms around myself. "That was unique. I don't usually…"

"Calm your tits. I'm not saying anything. I'm glad you trusted him. He's a good guy."

Yeah. He was. He seemed to be. I really, really hope he still will be, when this all shakes out.

"But the other guys…"

"Serge and Deandre aro good dudes. You'll like them, if you give them a chance."

My stomach dips. This next question is too telling, but I have to ask it. "How do you know they'll like me?"

"I don't know how they couldn't. You're—well, you. Funny and smart and sexy as hell. Creative." His gaze flashes dark. "And I can say with authority now, you are a hell of a fuck."

I squirm. There's that dirty feeling in the pit of my stomach, only it's not all bad this time. He doesn't seem to be implying that my being easy for him—and half the members of this house—is something to be ashamed of.

"But you didn't know that until ten minutes ago." I somehow manage to keep my voice even, to not betray the quaking inside. "And yet you all were willing to take this chance on me?"

"Because two of us have known you forever, and we've been in love with youforever. That's a pretty good vouch, if you ask me."

Holy shit. Holyshit.Who said anything about love?

He stiffens, like he realizes at that very moment how much he's given away. He doesn't take it back, though. He stares me down.

"Look, whatever. Just—think about it, okay? If you really hate me that much, I can stay out of things." His brow creases, like it's literally killing him to say that. "But we're a package deal. Fuck me or don't fuck me, but give the other guys a chance."

I can almost hear his other plea on the silent air.

Give me a chance.

A part of me wants to. The other part just isn't sure.

I stand, hugging my arms tighter around myself. "I need to think about all of this."

"You should. Talk to Cayden, too. Because whatever else happens here, he's a good guy, okay? Don't take anything out on him."

"Yeah." That's fair. God knows I have enough questions for him. "Okay."

"Okay."

We stare at each other, and it's awkward in a way it's never been before. We always saw each other clearly—or so I thought. My conceptions have all been thrown on their head, though. I don't know how to feel.

I just know I need to get out of this room.

I point at the door. "I'm just going to…"

"Right. Sure."

Ugh, how is this suddenly worse than when he was an asshole all the time?

I turn to go. I make it almost to the door before he stops me.

"Haley?"

I pause, spinning around, suddenly breathless. "Yeah?"

And he's there. He reaches out, almost tentative. When I don't stop him, he plows forward, cupping my face. He leans in to plant a hard kiss that speaks volumes to my lips.