Page 10

Chapter Ten

Jolie

Staring at my stupid list, I realise I’m no closer to knowing anything. I have been hiding out in my room for the last few hours, and while I’m not sorry about what I said, I now know some girl has done a real number on them. They finally revealed a weakness.

Danika has messaged me about eleventy-seven times to tell me how awesome the party was, and Sinclair texted twice to make sure I was okay. Jimmie even reached out to pester me for all the gossip on Mister Preppy. I flicked out a few replies earlier in the day. Now boredom is starting to kick in.

Me

Can I have some friends over to go swimming later today?

Brennan

You don’t have to ask to have your friends over.

Me

Ok thanks.

I’m not used to this. In all my previous placements, I either wasn’t allowed anyone over or it wasn’t worth asking. I fire off a group message asking if they want to come over for a swim and to chill. Danika is the first to reply with about twenty emojis.

My door flies open, Case standing in the doorway. I’ve been waiting on one of them to confront me, although honestly, I was expecting it to be Boston—it seems more his style. Case appears conflicted, his body rigid, but his eyes are almost teared over. I study his body language for a few seconds and something seems off. He moves into the room in a rush, leaving the door open. As he strides towards me, I keep my gaze trained on him, ready for whatever he has to dish out.

Now it’s me whose body goes stiff as he pulls me into his arms, wrapping me tight in his embrace, his heart beating heavily against my forehead. Something is wrong, yet my body melts naturally into his. It enjoys the comfort in his arms, and for the first time in years, it almost feels like I have come home.

After a few long moments, I give in and wrap my arms around his middle. I want to ask what’s up, but don’t want to ruin the moment. I get it—sometimes you just need a hug. The human touch can seem foreign a lot of the time, sex usually being the only contact I have with people of the opposite gender.

Case puts his nose to my hair and inhales. “Please don’t leave me,” he whispers.

I push him to arm’s length and stare up into his green eyes. “Are you okay?” I ask, not really knowing how to respond.

I haven’t known him long enough for him to ask that of me. Even if I had known him awhile, nothing would keep me from going to find Trace as soon as I can.

“Not really, but I will be now,” he sighs.

Someone knocks at the open door, and I take a step away from Case. Call it habit, but anyone I have ever become close to—even if it wasn’t by choice—has dragged me into trouble.

Brennan stands in the door frame watching Case and me. He seems calm compared to earlier.

“Case, Boston needs you downstairs.”

Case nods, giving my hand a quick squeeze before walking from my room. Brennan takes a step in and closes the door behind himself.

“Take a seat,” he says, gesturing to my bed.

I do as he says, waiting for the inevitable “you don’t fit in here” speech. The funny thing is, this is the first place that has felt like I fit with the family—like I truly belong.

“I’m sorry about earlier. It’s been a rough day, and I shouldn’t have snapped at you.”

I jerk my head in his direction, not expecting an apology. “So, you’re not kicking me out?”

The asshole laughs at my question.

“No, I’m not kicking you out. I knew exactly what you were like before my parents took you in. Actually, I wanted to have a chat, and it’s a bit awkward.”

Damn, he wants to talk about sex.

“Oh, you want to have a sex talk? Don’t worry, my skittles dropped a long time ago, my rainbow is probably tasteless by now.”

Brennan stares at me, realising his mistake straight away.

“I won’t tiptoe around this just because you will make it hard for me.”

“That’s what she said,” I snicker under my breath.

He gives me a be serious look that makes me shut my mouth.

“I’ve made you an appointment with the family doctor.”

As an independent woman, I have been managing my doctors appointments for years, so go to protest, but he stops me by shaking his head and I close my mouth.

“Please, Jolie, for my peace of mind. I’m not an idiot, there are five hormone-filled teenage boys running around the house. Add in that party boy... Just see the doctor. You’re free to go alone or I could take you, but either way, please just humour me.” He looks defeated, having to have the talk with me.

“Okay, but Boston can take me if you want me to go. Who knows, I might need someone to hold my hand while I get my coochie poked and prodded.” Brennan’s eyes bug out of his head, but he nods in agreement. “Nice chat. Did you need anything else?”

“No, I have places to be. I’ll see you later tonight.” With that, he’s gone.

I have a feeling that Boston will not be happy about escorting me to see the doctor, but I can already tell it will be an interesting trip.

Putting on my bikini, I check myself out in the mirror. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t after the attention of a few certain someones. I haven’t forgotten about my bet with Boston, even though I could care less about it; he wants me gone, and in all honesty, I will be gone soon anyway. I just hate losing.

After Case’s display of affection today, Davis is no longer my first target. Some would say exploiting a person’s weak moment is wrong, but those people actually have a conscience.

The doorbell rings and I pad down the stairs to the front door. The house is eerily quiet—I half expected the guys to have another massive party to get ready for.

“Ahhhhhh,” Danika screams as I open the door. “I can’t believe we are here again.”

“We have the house to ourselves,” I say, stepping aside to let everyone in. Sinclair and Jimmie smile at me as they walk past.

“OMG, that is even better,” Danika squeals.

“How is that fun? The eye candy isn’t here,” Jimmie says, shaking his head.

“Because we can snoop,” Danika announces.

“We can’t snoop,” Sinclair admonishes.

“I agree. Boston isn’t very welcoming to people that go through his things—trust me, I should know.” I laugh at the memory of our first encounter. Which reminds me—payback is on the top of my list, along with figuring out why the hell I was kidnapped, and where Trace is.

“If he touches me, I won’t care,” Danika says, walking into the kitchen.

“The only thing that would touch you is the cold, sharp blade he has strapped to his leg,” I say, and Sinclair gasps.

“He has a knife?” she whispers, and I nod.

I didn’t notice at first, but they all seem to carry a weapon, though nothing big or bulky. Brennan seems to carry a gun under his suit jacket every day. Memories of the party are patchy, but a few things have flashed back to me. The Gods having weapons is one, and I highly doubt they need protection from the high school kids at the party.

All of this should warrant huge warning bells, except Brennan is on my list. Granted, he is low on my list, but he’s still there.

Nothing makes sense. I need to find Trace.

From the day I met Brennan, I always thought Trace sent him to watch over me. I never asked because if he was a plant, Trace would have sworn him to secrecy. Is that why he brought me here—to protect me? I’m also not na?ve, he could be the bad guy. Either way, if my suspicions are right, then Brennan will lead me to him. It did take me a while to come to this conclusion, as for twelve months I gravitated towards Brennan, thinking he was the link to my best friend. I hate that I have to think the worst of him after we have bonded.

Jimmie interrupts my train of thought. “Where’s Joshua?”

“He had to spend the afternoon with his grandparents,” Sinclair answers.

“Look what I found,” Danika announces to no one in particular, holding a glass with what looks to be a cocktail in it. “Fully stocked bar outside.”

“Let’s take this party out to the pool, shall we?” I wonder how Boston will react when he finds out we drank all his booze. A girl has to get her kicks somehow.

Danika doesn’t have to be told twice; she is out by the pool in two seconds flat.

Jimmie takes off his shirt and throws it on a sun lounge, and I can’t help but laugh. I know I shouldn’t, but the kid is lily white and so damn skinny it reminds me of a naked Mr Burns from the Simpsons. Sinclair is a little more modest in her pale-blue one piece with her matching sarong, floppy hat, and oversized sunglasses. Danika has on the same bikini she wore to the party; she was clearly hoping the guys would be here. She doesn’t seem like the type to use people, but she definitely will enjoy the perks while they last.

The smell of coconut fills the air as Sinclair rubs oil into her skin while Danika and Jimmie jump into the pool and splash each other.

This goes on for a few hours, and Sinclair oils and rotates every half an hour. Jimmie and Danika have a bomb diving competition, and I keep drinks in everyone’s hands.

We finally retire to the lounge chairs. The sun has started to set, and a pink hue fills the sky.

“Hey, Jolie, who is that hunk?”

I sit up slowly and turn to see Brennan standing in the doorway. My jaw almost hits the floor as I take in the board shorts hanging low on his hips. Holy six pack, Superman! Who would have thought that cardigan-wearing Brennan has a damn fine body?!

“Damn, if I had known you had all that under those clothes, I would have suggested you never wear a shirt,” I call out.

Brennan smiles as he walks closer to us. Danika has no personal boundaries, fleeing to his side and introducing herself.

Jimmie pops up beside me from out of nowhere. “You might want to shut your mouth. You’re catching flies.”

Sinclair laughs from the pool lounge beside me.

“Shut up you two,” I chastise, and Sinclair laughs again.

“My mum is coming to get us since somebody poured drinks down our throats.” Jimmie wiggles his eyebrows at me, insinuating that I’m the reason they are all drunk.

“Excuse me, but there was no forcing.”

He laughs and tells Sinclair to be ready. I’m thankful when he pulls Danika away from Brennan, who winks at me before diving into the pool.

I show my new friends out, walking a little faster back to the pool. Brennan is still swimming laps, so I sit on the edge with my legs hanging in the water. I watch him swim up and down the length of the pool, his long arms stretching out in front of him with fluid forward motion. As he nears an end he goes under, gracefully flips, and kicks off the wall.

I don’t know how long I sit and watch him for, but his precise movements awaken me to the fact he isn’t the guy I once thought he was.

Who are you, Brennan Myers, and what piece of the puzzle do you hold to my past?

“Penny for your thoughts.” Brennan appears out of nowhere, holding the ledge of the pool, his bright-blue eyes looking up at me, and at this moment he seems young. He has always come across as mature, but he can’t be any more than a few years older than I am.

“I was just thinking that you’re not who I thought you were.”

He pulls himself out of the pool and sits beside me.

“How so?” He seems curious, not defensive, but I suppose that is more Boston’s style.

“Hmm... I don’t know, I haven’t quite figured it out yet.” My teasing tone invites him to give me more.

“You’re right. I’m not who you thought I was. While I used to be in charge—an authority figure—now we are both children in the Myers household. Equals. I could go as far as saying friends.”

“Not sure I would go that far,” I joke, and he lightly pushes my arm, making me laugh. “Okay, maybe we could be friends for now.”

Brennan stands and holds out his hand to help me get up.

“What do you mean, for now ?” he asks as we walk inside.

“You know my plans to look for Trace.”

This time he reacts, pausing, and I stop walking too, turning back to face him.

“Has he contacted you at all since I have known you?”

“Nope, He... he... I don’t know. It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I plan to find him.”

“Do you want to get changed, and I will order in some dinner? I gave Petra the night off since the boys are training.”

“Sure, what are they training for?”

“Life,” is his cryptic response before pulling out his phone.