Page 48 of Reaper's Claim

“Keep staring at me, and I’ll start to think you want something.” Her eyes fluttered up from the book and looked into mine.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.” I looked back down at the engine I was working on.

Show Abby a bit of interest, and I won’t live it down. It was hard enough trying to be her friend. I was just thankful she was at least giving it a go.

“So,” she put her book down and got up. “What is the go with Kade? Why the sudden move in?” She handed me a rag to wipe my hands with.

Going from living by myself to living with my brother and ex-girlfriend is going to be a bit of a shock to the system, but hell, I was going to give it a go. “Kade doesn’t have anywhere else to go, and when it comes down to it, the house is half his.”

“Was he already staying here when you asked me to move in?”

“Does it matter?”

She shrugged her shoulders, but it was the hidden anger in her eyes that told me she wasn’t telling me the full story, or at least leaving something out. “Depends if he is always going to be so snippy.”

“Yeah, sorry about the comment earlier, Kade just, well…” I scratched the back of my neck. “Kade doesn’t really respect women, so don’t take it personally. You all are just property to him, or a means to an end, ya know?”

“Oh, I know.” There was bitterness in her tone and frustrated, she ran her fingers through her hair, playing with it. It was a habit of hers when she was frustrated. It took me a solid few months to pick up on that one. “So I guess I’ll just have to get used to his rudeness.”

“I’m sure you can give it back to him, Abby.”

She scoffed. “Doubtful.”

I poked her with the spanner I held. “Come on Ab, we both know your inner bitch is itching to give him a service.”

“He isn’t worth it.” She leaned back against the bonnet, crossing her arms. “So are you going to help me move my stuff over later?”

“Have you told your aunt that you’re leaving?”

A grin spread across her lips. “Maybe.”

“You haven’t, have you?”

“Well, I’m sure once I start moving my stuff out, she will get the idea.” Abby scooped up her book. “Now get your butt into gear and come help me escape from hell.”

“Such a drama queen.”

“Says the slut,” she teased and poked out her tongue.

I watched her walk away and still couldn’t figure out how things were going so well between us after everything.

Still wasn’t going to question it. Having her around made my life a happier one.

***

“Come on brother, I need help.” I knocked on Kade’s door before opening it. I wasn’t even half surprised seeing him lying on the bed, smoking something I knew wasn’t a cigarette.

“What with?” he blew a mouth full of smoke out.

“Abby’s bed.”

“Busy.”

“No, you’re not. Come on, I’ve got a Ute full of her crap I have to bring in.”

“I said I’m busy.”

I picked up the first thing my hand landed on, which happened to be some old-fashioned vase thing, and threw it at him. I smirked when it hit his stomach. “Get up, you lazy shit.”