Page 79 of The Pact

“Last thing on the agenda is Thea. We’ll be adding her into our discussions so we can keep tabs on how she’s doing or if there are any issues. We’ll go around and each give an update on how things are progressing with her. Sutton, you start.”

I barely listen as Sutton goes on about how amazing Thea is and how he loves that she’s coming to the bookstore more to spend time with him. Wes doesn’t have much to say other than she’s not bothering him, which I guess is good. My turn.

“Things are going great.” I don’t elaborate. Considering I’ve spent the most time with her, Damian doesn’t like that. He scowls at me until I continue. “I think she’s fitting in really well with us. She’s been sleeping in my room more now.” I know exactly what he’s after. I’ve been putting it off, however, I don’t think he’s going to back down anymore. “I haven’t fucked her.”

He leans back on the couch, folding his arms over his chest. “I made the rules for a reason, but Cole, if you’re purposely dragging this out—”

“Fuck you,” I spit at him. “I’ve already told Thea that we’d take this at her pace. I’m not going to rush her.” My brothers look at me too calmly.

It’s Sutton who speaks, probably since we’re the closest. “She wants to fuck, bro.” His head tilts as he says it confidently. He’s alluding to his slip up at the bookstore days ago. She wanted to fuck him—that’s what he’s not saying. I can’t deny it. The way she allows me to touch her, I know that she’d let me do anything I want.

As much as she might be ready for it, I’m not in a rush despite what I’ve told Damian. I want to enjoy all the moments learning her body and what she likes without them pressuring me to hurry up. They’re being selfish, it’s starting to irritate me.

Leaning back in my seat, I meet Damian’s gaze. “Alright, I’ll get things rolling. Then, Sutton can do his thing.”

Damian’s about to give his update when we hear a knock at the door.

27

THEA

I realize exactly how pathetic I look—I really do. My hair is thrown up in a messy bun, I’m damp from the knees down, and I’m cradling a trash bag of clothes. I hate the tears that are rolling down my face, yet I can’t help them—I’m so angry and embarrassed about everything.

Cole answers the door. “What the hell happened, love?” His voice draws the others.

“I’m sorry. I sent a message, but no one answered.”

“Tell me you didn’t walk here, Thea.” Sutton’s voice is strained.

I shake my head. “No, I got my truck back.” Cole’s head peers out of the doorway, surprised to see it in his driveway. “My apartment flooded. I would’ve gone to Cassie’s, but she’s out of town. I have nowhere to go.” I can feel my lip quiver and I bite down on it, not wanting to appear any more pitiful than I already do.

“Get in here, princess.” Damian motions for me to come in and Wesley pushes past Cole to take the trash bag from me.

Cole wipes the wetness from my cheeks, then wraps me in his arms. “I’m so sorry. We were having a meeting. No phone rule.” He glances over my shoulder at Damian. “That no longer applies,” he says sternly. I don’t hear Damian disagree.

“You’re staying here as long as you need,” Sutton states, taking my hand and kissing the back of it. Damian, Cole, and even Wesley all give their various forms of approval. Although, to be honest, it’s Wesley that I’m most worried about imposing on.

I give him a quick glance. He’s eyeing me carefully. “Are you sure? I can get a motel room, now that I have my truck.” I direct the question at him.

“Don’t start, blue eyes. You’re staying.”

I mutter a thank you. “You guys can get back to your meeting. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“I think we are about done. What do you need? Something to eat?” The growl in my stomach answers Cole before I can say yes. He takes me by the hand and leads me to the kitchen. Twisting unexpectedly, he puts his hands on my waist and lifts me onto the island before rummaging through the fridge.

Sutton hands me a glass of water. I down it. Then, Cole’s pushing a bowl into my hands, filled generously with ice cream. As I take it, he tops it with whipped cream. “Dessert before dinner tonight.” He gives me a warm smile. Those dimples ease the pain in my chest a little.

I dig in. Surprisingly, each bite makes me feel better.

I’m almost to the bottom of the bowl, when I ask, “What kind of meeting were you in?”

Damian tilts his head, watching as I push another bite into my mouth. “House meeting. We go over finances, any issues we’re having with each other, goals…that sort of thing.”

“So, kind of like a board meeting?”

Sutton chuckles and I look over at him, confused. “Sure, if board meetings included talking about the woman we’re dating.” I nearly choke on the ice cream sliding down my throat.

“Wh-What? Why would I come up in your meetings?”

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