Page 149 of Finish Line

While the guys are at school, I sink into an oversized chair and read.

A stunning woman strolls in. Dom’s mom, Katherine.

She stops short when she notices me, and her sculpted eyebrows pinch together. “Who are you?”

I stand and run my hand down my t-shirt and yoga pants. “Hello, Mrs. Knight. My name’s Shelby Winters.” I fidget, unsure if I should try to shake her hand.

“Huh, you must be the boy’s new plaything.” She crosses her arms. “What are you doing alone in the house?”

“I’m Dom’s and Mav’s girlfriend, not their plaything. As for why I’m here alone…” I’m not sure what to say. Should I tell her I’m staying here? Since she didn’t realize I was here, I’m uncomfortable explaining the situation.

While I consider my answer, Mr. Knight walks in. “Darling, did you find what you’re looking for? Oh, hello.”

“No, Chad. I didn’t. I found her lurking up here, though,” she sneers.

He walks over to me and holds out his hand. “You must be Shelby. The boys talk about you all the time. It’s nice to meet you.”

His smile seems genuine, so I reach my hand out and place it in his. “She’s as pretty as they said, Katherine. I understand why my boys fell for you.”

He releases my hand, sadness entering his eyes. “They told me your mom passed away. I’m sorry for your loss. You can stay here for as long as you want.”

My chin hits the floor. I can’t believe how nice Mr. Knight is. Trying not to look like a gaping trout, I close my mouth. “Thank you, Mr. Knight.”

“Beautiful, I’m home! What do you say we get naked—” Cam raises his head from where he tries to undo his belt and sees Mr. and Mrs. Knight. “Oh shit. Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Knight.”

Katherine stares at me. “Aren’t you dating the twins?”

I run a hand over my face. How am I going to explain this? They are two of the most powerful, wealthy people in this country, and now, they’re going to hate me.

“Camden, hello.” Mr. Knight turns to his wife. “Dear, from what the boys tell me, she’s in love with them and their two friends, and they love her. Correct?” Mr. Knight looks to Cam for clarification.

He blinks a few times before he moves into the room to stand by me and takes my hand.

“That’s correct, sir. It’s not conventional, but it works for us.” Cam gazes down at me, love and adoration filling his eyes.

Katherine stares at me with her nose up.

“Mr. and Mrs. Knight, I love your sons,” I say. “They have helped me through some tough times. And while things haven’t always been easy for us, I wouldn’t have survived if it wasn’t for Dom, Mav, Cam, and Luke.”

“You’re a slut,” Katherine seethes. “Nothing but a trailer trash piece of tail that they are entertaining themselves with, and my mission is to remove you from my home.”

I stare at her, a little taken aback by her hate, but this isn’t something I haven’t had hurled at me before. “I’m not a slut. They know I’m dating all of them. We have no secrets between us. You can try to get rid of me, but I’m not easily scared.”

“Dear, calm down. The boys have never been so happy, and it’s because of this girl. She brought life back into them, and for that alone, I won’t let you run her off.” Chad’s tone brooks no argument. “Do you understand me, Katherine? She’s off limits.”

“Yes, dear,” Katherine says through her teeth.

“Good, now find what you said you needed so we aren’t late,” he tells her.

“It’s not up here,” she says. “I must have been mistaken about where it was.”

“Okay, let’s go then.” He takes my hand in his once again. “Shelby, it’s wonderful to meet you. Let the boys know to tell me if you need anything.”

“Thank you, Mr. Knight,” I say, stunned by his support.

“Oh, call me Chad.” He pats my hand and smiles, stepping back and toward his wife. He puts his arm out for Katherine to take, and they leave the room.

“Holy shit, I didn’t expect that,” I say. “He’s nothing like I expected from the way Dom talked about him when we first met.”

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