Page 31 of Die for You

Aurora hasn’t known me for long, and yet she said everything I’ve been wanting to say to Monica for years. She managed to rescue me when I needed her most. Again.

I’d bet all the money in my wallet that she’s been wanting to say a lot of that to her own ex.

Rory plants her hands on her hips and does a smug little shimmy. “Let me know if you need me to chase off any puck bunnies next.”

“If it gets me another kiss like that, then I’ll see you at the next game.”

“What do I need to do to get a kiss like that?” The amusement has vanished from Damien’s face now. He’s staring at Rory like he wants to devour her where she stands.

Same. This girl’s got us wrapped around her finger.

Finn glides up next to her, tilting her chin so she meets his gaze.

Electric tension builds between us. God, I want nothing more than to take her back to my room and thank her. She has no idea what the three of us could make her feel.

She steps away from Finn’s touch and pushes her shoulders back. “That kiss was just for show. I needed a way to scare her off, and the kiss did it. That’s all.”

Even though I already knew the truth, my stomach dips with disappointment.

“Can you drop me off at home now? It’s late and these heels are killing me.”

“You’ve been in them for five minutes,” Damien says.

Her eyes narrow on him. “You try wearing heels for five minutes and see how long you last.”

“I want to see how longyoulast.” I grip her hip, eager for more of her. “In my bed.”

She shakes me off. “Take me home.”

We follow her back to the SUV, all of us desperate for her. She bites back a smile when I open the door. But I don’t shut it behind her when she slides in.

I lean on the doorframe, fixing her with a cocky grin. “Sloppiest head I’ve ever gotten, huh? Can’t wait for that.”

She rolls her eyes and jerks the door out of my grip, slamming it and ending the conversation.

But I catch her smiling too.

Sunday dinner is deafening asusual. My parents bark out orders for my siblings to take bowls to the table or line the napkins with silverware like we’re still ten years old. All the while making time to kiss and squeeze each other’s asses in between shouting, stirring boiling pots on the stove, and pulling dishes from the oven.

My brothers and I groan every time our parents exhibit yet more behavior that will send us to therapy, but I’ve always secretly wanted something like they have. That easy, comfortable connection. A girl I can laugh with just as often as fuck.

I haven’t been able to get Aurora’s little performance out of my head for the past week. Can’t help but wish that the part about her being my girlfriend wasn’t a lie. That I could bring her to Sunday dinner with my family. Hell, even if she wouldn’t let me introduce her as my girlfriend, dinner would still be better with her here. Lately, everything is better with her around.

When we’re all finally seated at the table, Karter eyes me with suspicion and amusement. He’s the tallest and the only other brother who ever played hockey. Then he got his college girlfriend pregnant and welcomed chaos into his life. At least he’s not bored. “You’re in a good mood.”

His wife, Blaire, manages to wrangle their toddler into the chair between them before she brightens and leans forward with her chin on her fist. As far as she can, at least. Her pregnant belly is a barrier between her and the table. She’s ready to pop. “Who is she?”

My eyes roll up to the ceiling. “You’re all nuts, you know that? Can’t a guy just be in a good mood?”

“Knox!” Mom half-gasps, half-squeals. “You have a girlfriend?”

“No girlfriend.” Best to squash that hope before Mom starts planning the wedding.

“There’s a girl, though.” Dean rakes his fingers through his blond surfer locks. How does he always fucking know?

I keep my mouth clamped shut. I refuse to confirm and give them more fodder. But I can’t bring myself to deny it either. Because there is a girl.Thegirl.

“Oh my gosh!” Mom covers her mouth with a hand. “You haven’t had a girlfriend since Monica.”