Page 14 of Ten Hammers

He can’t hurt you anymore, I tell myself.

But, oh, he can. He may be dead and gone, but his words live on, immortal. They’re scars on my soul.

I slip out of bed and pad downstairs, keeping the lights off so I don’t wake anyone. Or blind myself. But there’s a dim light coming from the kitchen, and when I enter, I see someone in front of the open refrigerator, shirtless.

He’s bending over, digging around the back of the fridge, a very familiar pair of striped pajama pants slung low over his hips, and no boxers in sight. I can see the outline of his ass, and when he straightens, he’s all muscled back, and tousled blond hair.

It’s Max. Oh hell yeah, this is what I need right now.

What I always need, but especially now.

My mischievous side takes over, and I tip-toe closer, snaking my arms around his waist, whispering, “Hey, Big Max, if you want a midnight snack tonight, I’m available.”

Just as I’m about to plant a playful kiss on his tan, muscled shoulder, I realize there is no dragon tattoo on the bicep of this Hammer brother.

Fuck!

“Win?” He turns around, shock painted across his face.

And oh shit. Shit!

It isn’t Max; it’s Mason.

I gasp, my face turning a shade of red that I know clashes with my hair, and blurt out, “Oh! Mason! Hi! I... I was just sleepwalking… I think… you know, having a... uh, sexy dream.”

Mason raises an eyebrow, a mischievous smile spreading across his face. “A sexy dream, huh? About Max?”

My mind races, trying to find a fast exit from this hellscape. “Wha—no! It was about Harry Styles! Definitely Harry Styles! Why would you even think—”

Mason is flat-out grinning, now, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “Oh, I don’t know, just a hunch.”

Dead with embarrassment, I somehow manage to silently stumble my way back to the guest room I’m in, but before I go in, I turn and race to Max’s bedroom. I sneak in without thinking, clicking the door softly shut.

“Max!” I try to keep my voice to a whisper. “I messed up! It was Mason in the kitchen, not you!”

Max, still half-asleep, tries to pull me into bed with him. “Why would I be in the kitchen?”

“Max, listen to me! I thought Mason was you and I came on to him.”

“It’s okay,” Max mumbles. “I’m sure he didn’t mind.”

It’s so not okay.

“Are you not hearing me? I called him Big Max! I’ve blown our cover. I had to pretend I was sleepwalking, and having a sex dream about Harry Styles!”

He opens one eye and smiles. “You what?”

“Don’t smile! I’ve ruined everything!”

“Ruined how?”

“Mason is going to figure out why I was inviting you to have me as a midnight snack! And then everyone will find out,” I whisper-wail. “They’re all going to know about us!”

Chapter 6

Winnie

Thankfully it’s dark enough in Max’s room that he can’t see I’m suddenly flushed as hell.

---