Page 26

I rolled my eyes. “It’s fine, Callie. It’s not like a little pinch is going to cause internal bleeding.”

He merely glared at me in response.

“So,” I began, attempting to pull myself up into a sitting position. I probably looked like a dying fish on land for all the good that did me. Ronan, chuckling under his breath, finally helped me up and placed a pillow behind me. At least someone knew how to behave like a gentleman, minus the whole laughing thing.

Before I could continue my thought, though I honestly didn’t know where I was going with it in the first place, Tamson piped up from the back. He had, once again, reverted back to the shy, sweet boy I had initially met.

“How are you feeling? Do you need me to get the doctor?” At his words, the mood instantly sobered.

“I can grab you a water,” Asher added. “Or would you like something to eat?”

Smiling cheekily, I said, “It’s official. Tam and Asher are my two favorites. I mean, come on. Asher offered me food not once, but twice. How could he not get top honors? And Tam’s just a sweetie.”

Both of their faces turned bright red which only reaffirmed the whole favoritism thing. I loved it when they blushed.

Ryder growled at my words.

“Oh, it’s on, Kitten.”

“Challenge accepted,” Ronan added, cracking his knuckles.

“Whatever, drama queens...or in this case, leprechauns. Now back to my question...which I may have forgotten. Okay, so I never actually asked it to begin with, but it was important. Just give me a moment. One second.”

“Is she always like this?” Ronan mocked-whispered to Calax.

Calax grunted an affirmative.

Snapping my fingers together, I was pleased with myself when I finally remembered what I was going to say. It was so obvious that I felt kind of stupid for needing to think about it. More stupid than usual, anyway.

“Why are you guys here?”

The boys blinked at me.

“That was the question you struggled so hard to remember?” Ryder asked in disbelief. I gave him the finger.

“This is why you’re not my favorite.”

“Nooo!” he whined. “I take it back, you intelligent goddess.”

“Flattery will get you nowhere.”

“It seems like she’s immune to your charm,” Asher muttered with a smirk. I, once again, nearly fell off the bed in laughter.

“Ryder doesn’t have charm!” I gasped, giggling. Ryder surged forward, probably to pinch me again, but Calax restrained him.

“Boys,” I cooed, flashing a shit-eating grin in their direction. “Why don’t you kiss and makeup already?”

Calax and Ryder froze, exchanged horrified looks, and jumped apart as if their lives depended on it.

“Ignoring those shit for brains, why wouldn’t we just want to spend time with you?” Asher asked. I stared at him incredulously.

“Uh...because you don’t know me, and I’m certifiably insane.”

The boys gave me a look for that one. Huffing, I said, “Is this about the whole incident? Are you guys playing bodyguard now or something?”

If I expected guilt to appear in their expressions, I was sorely mistaken. They faced me with what I could only describe as resolve.

Well, fuck.