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“So last night…”

My eyebrows only grew higher on my face.

“Man. Stop! You know… are you going to make me say it?” He asked with an uncomfortable smile.

“Say what?” I crossed my arms in front of my chest.

“Dude. I had no control. She woke up in a frenzy and looked at me, then kissed me and then…she practically commanded me to do it.”

I nodded.

“You know I wouldn’t typically break our pact.”

“So what happens now?”

“She made it clear that it meant nothing.”

“Yea, I saw her after… in the bathroom.”

“So you knew?” He sighed.

“Of course. Nothing can happen in the house without everyone finding out!”

“Well, like I said… I’m sorry.”

“Look. I’m not mad-ish anymore. Just don’t do it again.”

“You know, it’s hard for girls to resist this body, though.” He said, puffing out his chest as he backed away.

Jace walked up to me when Enzo was gone. “Well?”

I looked at him and put my hand on his shoulder. “They had sex, but he made it seem like she wasn’t looking for anything serious…”

“So you’re saying there’s still a chance?”

“Maybe for me… I don’t know about you.” I laughed, picking up the axe again.

If we took too much time to talk, Barrett would get upset. We were already a little behind since we didn’t have Gage and Enzo last week, although Gage was here when we showed up this morning. He seemed extra broody and if I didn’t know any better, I would say he was upset by Enzo and Snow hooking up, but that couldn’t be the case because he couldn’t stand her. Which I also couldn’t figure out why. Perhaps he didn’t get what he needed from Eloise last night.

Gage was the only one in the house who I’ve never quite figured out. He was the dark and broody type and always seemed angry.

When he first came to the house, he didn’t talk to me for a long time, although the only person he did talk to was Barrett, and that was still on limited occasion. It was obvious he was going through some stuff, always jumpy and skittish. I couldn’t imagine what he had gone through living on his own at such a young age.

I wasn’t much older than him and even though my upbringing wasn’t a basket full of bosom berries, it was still more stable than Gage’s. As a child, I lived in a castle as part of the help in the kitchen. I can remember from a young age, always helping with something… either washing dishes, stacking plates, stirring stews.

Barrett lived there, but I never knew his position, and I never got the courage to ask. I knew he wasn’t the King or prince of the castle, but always felt like he held some kind of important position and he was always kind to me. A few times, he had caught me running around the castle, so we had developed an odd kind of friendship early on, where he would look out for me, helping me stay out of trouble.

One night, I was moving around the castle and heard him arguing with the prince. I couldn’t really make out what he was saying, but saw him storm out of the library and slam the door. It wasn’t long after when Barrett had his bags packed and was leaving. I don’t know why, but I ran after him and joined him. He didn’t question it and was happy for the company. We eventually found our home now, and it has been growing ever since- almost a home for the wayward soul.

I tried to go back a few times to see my mother, but the castle looked dark and shut down, like everyone had moved out, which seemed odd. I thought about asking Barrett about it, but seeing the enormous blow up fight he had with the prince- one that I most definitely shouldn’t have seen- I never said anything.

After lunch, Enzo grabbed Jace and me into a huddle. “You boys want to go to Ruby’s tonight? I feel like I should make it up to you.”

“You are trying to appease us with sex?”

“Yes.” He said matter-of-factly.

“You know us so well.”