Page 96 of Rough and Rugged

“Did you do that? She’s acting like a fretful wife. A selfish one but...”

“Hey, judgy. I know as much as you. Calm it down.” I put my hand up and she slaps it down and stares. Hayden and Tony round the corner.

“Dude?” Hayden questions.

“Bro,” I grit out.

Tony puts his hands up. “Gentleman.” We all shrug and retreat a little.

Lizzie’s eyes dart. “I hate ‘Brothers’ shorthand. Fix this.”

Hayden’s voice booms. “Monica is family. She understands what a fucking idiot I am and somehow respects me and loves you. She’s a fucking unicorn.”

I pound my chest. “My unicorn.”

He points and walks away. “Fucking fix this.” My phone pings.

LAW:Sophie’s there? What about Monica? Did you hit your head?

COLT:I don’t know why she’s there. But no, he’s fine. We saw the medical reports.

DAX:You have my medical records?

COLT:Dad.

ROBBIE:We’re in the elevator. I’ll kick her the fuck out.

I look at Tony. “You already texted them. This is happening in real time.”

Tony shrugs, “Thought you might need backup.”

Hayden grins at our gentle giant, Robbie, charging down the hallway. He doesn’t make me nearly as nervous as his feisty as fuck wife, Claire, whose barreling toward me. It would be intimidating if they didn’t have their children hanging off of them.

“Hell to the no!” Claire tucks her hair behind her ear like she’s taking off her hoops for a brawl. “You, ok?” I nod, she kisses my cheek. “Good. Now let me at her.”

Robbie hugs me. “You scared me. Don’t do that.” Then cuffs me on the back of my head. He’s the oldest of us all, and the one who cares the most but doesn’t show it. He’s Hayden and Law’s actual brother, but the six of us are closer than blood.

I toss up my hands to address the overprotective crowd. “Everyone stop. I don’t know why she’s here. Monica and I hooked up just after Tony’s 30thbirthday in Vegas. And then she ghosted me. I love her. And until ten minutes ago I was pretty sure she loved me. Ok?” They murmur and talk in whispers and comments to each other.

“I had no idea where she was and didn’t look since she didn’t want me.”

Lizzie smiles. “We knew where she was. You should’ve asked.”

Claire laughs. “Yeah, it’s why we thought you went to Rugged. We all knew.”

“Fuck. Really? She thought I’d go back to Sophie. I’ve got to talk to Monica.”

“You should’ve opened up to us man, we could have solved this shit like a year ago,” Robbie says.

Hayden addresses me. “She’s going home with her sister. Call her after you sort this shit.”

I move past them, “No.”

“Give her space,” Hayden says.

Robbie puts a hand on my shoulder. “Deal with your mess.”

“I love her.”