Page 21

Hannah places a mug of steaming coffee on the counterand a small ivory plate with an old-fashioned donut next to it. He must come in here a lot for her to know his order without him asking. I watch their exchange and am reminded how thankful my family is to Reid. One way or another, he’s managed to help out all the women in our lives who mean something to us. He has a dark past that only Sawyer knows about, but none of us press. It’s his story, but we’re all grateful to know him and have him in our corner. Reid returns, pulling up a chair to sit in front of the booth. His large-ass body wouldn’t fit next to me in the booth, and he knows how protective we all are of Kinsey. I appreciate him giving her space.

“So you two just catching up? I’m not intruding on any sibling bonding time?”

“Nah. Just hanging.”

“Actually, I was just about to beg Carter to let me move in with him,” Kinsey blurts, my eyes shooting up to her. I did not know that’s where that conversation was headed. My mind flashes images of Finn in my bed, and that would never happen if Kinsey was there. Not that I have any intention of ever bringing Finn home with me.

“Whoa, Kins, that is not happening.”

“Whaaat? Why? I’m a good roommate! I’m quiet, you won’t even know I’m there. I can’t live with Mom and Dad anymore!”

“Why don’t you take the loft above Rogue? Blaire’s moved out since moving in with Dallas,” Reid interjects, taking a sip of his coffee. Kinsey’s head snaps in his direction.

“Wait. Are you serious?”

“Yeah, why not? It’s furnished. It’s a studio. Don’t think it’s glamorous or anything. But Blaire enjoyed living there.”

“I could pay you.”

My eyes shoot back and forth between the two of them as they start to plan this out, and I don’t like it at all.

“Whoa, okay, back up. No one is moving anywhere. Kinsey, Mom and Dad’s is not that bad.”

“It is. I need my own space. I’m twenty-two, Carter, I have a career, and I need to be on my own.”

“What about above Bean Haven, then? We can talk to Hannah.”

“And be woken up at the ass crack of dawn when she’s there before the sun comes up to start baking? No, thank you. Love her. Love Bean Haven. That’s a hard pass.”

“Beggars can’t be choosers, Kins.”

“And I’m not begging. Reid offered, and it’s a better option than the one you just gave me, without even talking to Hannah first, by the way.”

“I’ll ask her right now,” I snap as I raise my hand to yell for Hannah. Kinsey quickly leans over the table, wrenching my arm back down.

“Don’t you dare! I don’t want to live above Bean Haven, Car, you know that would be rough.”

The situation rapidly gets out of control as Reid and Kinsey start discussing options. Pulling out my phone, I open up the group chat.

Me: We got an issue

Me: @ Bean Haven with Kins and Reid and Reid offered to let her rent the studio

Dallas: Fuck no. She’s staying with Mom and Dad

Sawyer: The fuck? No. Absolutely not. She’s too young to live on her own.

Liam: Tell her no right now.

Dallas: Shut that shit down

Kinsey’s phone chimes from her lap, and I smile brightly at her as she reads the messages.

“Really, Casanova? You’re a dick.”

“Look,” Reid says, putting his palms up in peace, “I don’t need you four Neanderthals comin’ at me for bein’ helpful. Kinsey, the place is yours if you want it and these dumbass brothers of yours let you breathe.”

“She’s our baby sister, man, you gotta understand.”