Page 63 of Sharing Shadow Secrets (High Five Novella #6)

S tepping out of my car, Brandon gives me a fist bump.

He can be such a bro. He’s usually so preppy or looking like every other guy.

This edgy look … I like it for him. My gaze drifts to the mansion as we walk toward the open garage.

It looks exactly the same as the last time I was here.

Huge. White. Screaming opulence. Taylor is standing behind the SUV, her arms crossed.

Her brown hair is a little frizzy, and I smile, seeing her natural hair.

“You changed!” she yells with a chatter in her voice.

“It’s too cold to drive shirtless.” I shrug, looking down at my T-shirt and jeans. Brandon at least has a leather jacket on. When we get to her, I bear hug her, squeezing her tight. “Looks like our first job is to warm you up.”

She giggles into my chest, and Brandon squeezes my shoulder, then steps farther into the garage. I grab for her hand, and we follow behind him.

“Brandon’s been hitting the squat rack,” I say to Taylor, nudging her. “Look at his ass.” She laughs, and I lean down, lowering my voice. “Yours is better.” She squeezes my hand, and Brandon gestures us to enter as he presses the garage door button.

“You’re lucky you look the way you do,” I say, passing by him. Brandon tilts his head like he doesn’t know what I’m getting at. “You always ghost me after, and yet here I am.”

Brandon purses his lips, then enters the house with us. “I’m sorry I’ve been an asshole.”

“Why is Brandon an asshole?” Taylor asks.

“Because his move is to hit it and quit it,” I say, looking directly into his eyes.

“I recall you getting dressed right after each time,” he says, raising his brow.

He’s right. Talking has never really been our thing.

“And that was the old me,” Brandon adds, then steps down the hall.

We follow, and this is a blast from the past in so many ways. I’ve been here a couple of times, just like this, late at night, walking through the dark home, going straight to his room. Sometimes with his ex, sometimes just us.

Taylor is all new though. I’ve been crushing on her since we started messaging each other, and I’ve always been attracted to Brandon. Right now, being with both of them, it was an offer I wasn’t saying no to.

“I feel gross,” Taylor says as we all stand in Brandon’s bedroom, which has not changed at all since the last time I was here. The Bulls poster, the light blue walls, the gray bedding. It’s exactly the same.

“How about we all take a bath and get on the same page?” Brandon suggests. That’s wise, and hot. I nod, and a flash of nervousness spreads across Taylor’s face. He steps into the bathroom, and the sound of running water fills the room.

“Excited to be naked with us?” I tease, playfully swatting her ass and swooping off my shirt.