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Only then do I realize Jaydon has his arm behind me—and I’m somehow snuggled right into the crook of his arm.

I don’t fucking move.

I can’t do anything at this point. I have zero fucks left to give.

“You’re never going to find something in two days, Ellie…” he throws out casually.

It's the truth, but it's harsh.

I’m off from work for the next few days and have to figure something out.

I stare at the wall as I grumble, “Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, Jaydon.”

“I’m serious… Do you really fucking think that you are going to find a place to stay in two days?” he presses further.

I sigh deeply.

I respond slowly, desperation evident in my voice, “I don’t know.”

A new tear slowly trickles out from the corner of my eye.

I roll my head to the side to stare at Jaydon.

Fuck.

My face is so dangerously close to his. I should feel uncomfortable with his sister watching our every move, but it's not like that this time .

I almost feel sincerity shining in his eyes. He intently studies my face while rolling his bottom lip into his mouth. His eyebrows pinch right before he suddenly speaks.

“You can just stay with me,” he says, his voice low and serious.

“What!?” Haleigh and I both blurt at the same time, stunned.

I push myself to sit up straighter.

“Until you find something else, just stay with me,” he adds with a shrug, like what he just offered is no big deal. “You can pay me whatever you can afford until you find somewhere else to live… do you have a better idea?”

Haleigh jumps in before I can respond. “That’s actually a great idea, Jay.”

“Wait, I didn’t agree to this yet…” I interject.

“Pea—” Jaydon starts, but I glare so hard at him, he cuts himself off, quickly correcting, “… Ellie.” He drags my name out a bit with a soft chuckle, he almost fucked up and called me Peachy.

“It will be fine. I’m hardly there anyway.

You probably won't even see me much. I have a bit of travel coming up in the next few weeks, and you will have the place all to yourself.”

I stare at him. I can’t believe I’m about to agree to this shit, but I have no other options .

“Okay,” I say reluctantly, still trying to think it all through in my head. “I guess it could work. We can discuss payment and rules tomorrow.”

“Rules?” he asks, cocking an eyebrow.

Haleigh is sitting beside me, with her hands over her face, trying to hide her laugh, but I don’t miss the way her shoulders bounce up and down.

“Yeah, Jaydon… rules,” I reply flatly, my face scrunched as I stare blankly at him.

Finally, Haleigh’s hands go up in the air. “Yay! I’m so excited… my bestie and brother are going to live together.” She waves her arms around as if she’s doing a cheer, unbeknownst to the disaster that’s waiting to happen.

I inhale deeply through my nose, trying not to think about all the possibilities of us living together. “Haleigh, please don’t… don’t make it sound like we are actually living together.”

“Well, what do you call it?” she arches an eyebrow at me.

“Umm…” I have no fucking idea, because that’s exactly what will be happening, but an idea sparks in my head. “I’m going to be his lodger,” I declare, but I don’t know if I’m trying to fool them or myself.

Jaydon grumbles a laugh. “A fucking lodger, Ellie?” He looks at me with the most shocked and confused look on his gorgeous face.

I shrug this time. “What’s wrong with being a lodger? ”

He should be used to my craziness by now.

“What the fuck ever, you’ll be my lodger then…” He shoves the candy box right in my face. “… Want a Sno-Cap, Lodger?” he jokes, totally changing my mood.

My lips turn up at the corners from his mockery, and I reach for the box. “They're mine anyways, so give them back to me, asshole.” I reach up, quickly snatching the box from his hands.

“Aww, Jay, this is like the only nice thing you’ve ever done for Ellie.” Haleigh praises her brother.

I smile at her excitement.

But then Jaydon speaks, causing my insides to shrivel up, my heart races, and I want to hide my face from embarrassment.

“Oh, I think I’ve done a few nice things for her before...” It’s like he can see into the depths of my soul; the way his eyes are locked on mine, he can sense my humiliation. He knows exactly what he’s doing to me. “…don’t you think so, Ellie?” The asshole winks at me so only I can see.

His low, deep voice adds to the effect, causing me to shift in my seat uncomfortably. The heat from his leg pressed against mine and the memories of his tongue circling my clit.

Fuck.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out the memory. Why the fuck is he doing this, saying he’s done something for me before? I know he’s talking about the fucking orgasms he gave me; that was months ago, but the memory is never too far from my mind.

A heated blush spreads like wildfire across the apples of my cheeks. Thank God the lighting is dim in here, so Haleigh doesn’t notice how he’s affecting me with his words. And I pray she doesn’t pick up on his insinuation.

If he fucking tells Haleigh about us right now, I’m going to lose my shit; my crazy will be out in full force. I know Jaydon picks up on my agitation, he knows exactly what he’s doing to me. Fucking asshole.

I’m going to fucking kill his ass once we are alone.

I giggle, giving myself time to come up with a snarky response.

“Hmmm, I don’t remember you ever doing anything for me before. Whatever you’re talking about must not have been too memorable.” I quickly cut my eyes to him and shrug, tipping the box of Sno-Caps back and into my mouth to hide my smirk.

He grunts and runs his tongue along the inside of his cheek. I’ve hurt his ego and pissed him off, and it feels so fucking good.

He pushes up to stand quickly and snatches the box of candy away from my lips, causing a few to fall into my lap. My mouth drops, but he just fucking grins and dumps the rest into his mouth as he walks away.

“That was my candy, asshole!” I yell at him .

I hear him grunt as he’s walking towards the back of the house in search of Ryan. I finally turn towards Haleigh, hoping she can’t read between our fucked-up lines, and she’s just sitting there staring at me with the biggest smile on her face.

“I don’t know how this new living arrangement will ever work between the two of y’all.” She giggles, “You two are going to kill each other before you can ever find something else… or maybe, you might even fall in love… who knows.” A mischievous grin spreads across her face.

I quickly cut her off, throwing my hand up in her direction to stop her, “Stop right there, Hales. There will be no falling in love between your brother and me.”

Her eyes glisten with mirth. “I guess we will just have to wait and see then.”