Page 10 of My Favorite Girl

“The trellis broke,” Josh says from a distance. “Must have been some wild animal climbing it. I’ll take care of it in the morning. Let’s go back to bed.”

“You little rebel.” Dan grins at me and I laugh. He holds me for a moment longer than necessary before lowering me to my feet, yet doesn’t release me from his arms.

I get that hug I was promised, being lifted off my toes. His warmth spreads through my body and I soak it up, also noticing the scent of alcohol. Though he doesn’t seem drunk. On anyone else, I wouldn’t like the smell. But with Dan… well, I’ve already accepted nothing he does will turn me off.

“Fuck, I missed you.”

I’ve never liked swearing, but the way he saysfuckin that deep, gravelly tone makes me think it could be my new favorite word.

Dan buries his face in my hair, breathing deeply. Sometimes I wonder when he says things like this, if I’m not the only one with a crush. I let myself get carried away with the fantasy, but I’ll never ask.

“Sorry it took me so long to get up here,” he says. “I got caught up with Killian and Felix, playing poker.”

“Did you win?”

“A couple of games.” Dan looks down at my body, seeing my pajamas. “Are you cold?”

Before I can answer, he pulls off his hoodie and places it over my head. My arms slip into it with ease. I don’t object, the hoodie surrounding me with his warmth and scent.

“How did you get up here?” I ask.

“Felix drove me. He’s waiting out in the front with Killian. They want to meet you.”

My eyes pop open wide with panic. “Oh… Maybe that’s not a good idea. Your dad doesn’t want me to meet them yet.” It’s a genuine excuse. I want to respect Josh’s wishes. But making a good impression on Dan’s brothers is the real reason I hesitate. “I’m not good with new people?—”

“Screw what my dad wants. And I’ll be with you the whole time. Nothing to worry about.”

There’s something comforting in Dan’s words, and even though I’m nervous about meeting his brothers, I can’t deny being intrigued by them. “Okay. So, Felix is the oldest, right?”

“Yeah. He’s twenty-one.” Dan leads the way through the gardens, walking alongside me with his hands in his pockets. “Tyler’s a year younger than him, but he’s off with his girlfriend tonight. Killian is seventeen.”

Dan asks me about my day and how I’m settling into the beach house. I mention liking it here and ask whether he saw the latest photos the paparazzi took of us. I’ve noticed the cameramen more frequently since that first time my photo was taken on the street. Dan’s advice was to ignore the cameras and not search my name on the internet, but I care too much and need to know what’s being said about me in the public eye.

A couple of weeks back, a rumor surfaced that I was Dan’s girlfriend, all thanks to that first photo where his arm was around my shoulders. I showed him the gossip site, expecting him to be astounded. The only reaction I got out of him was a smirk, like he was pleased by the rumor.

Secretly, I liked his reaction. The girls at school started treating me a little nicer too, thanks to the rumor. When Josh made a public announcement that I’m family and not dating his son, the girls returned to showing no interest in me, as I expected they would.

Within a few minutes, we arrive at the front of the mansion, where a black Chrysler sits in the dark, the only light surrounding us coming from its headlights. I gulp at the sight of two guys dressed in suits, leaning against the car with their arms folded and engaged in a quiet conversation.

I’ve seen them before in photos, but the photos didn’t do justice for how handsome they are. Especially Felix, the oldestone. He’s a different kind of handsome to Dan. Not boyish at all. A man, and a dangerous one at that. Slick and sharp and with cunning eyes. Blond hair. The only blond one of the Blackwoods. Tattoos peek above his collar.

Killian has a younger look to him, like Dan. More approachable than Felix, athletic and strong, though he still makes me nervous.

“Hey,” Dan announces our arrival.

They both turn to the sound of his voice, their eyes latching onto me, and I feel naked beneath their gazes.

Felix looks at me for five seconds at most before glancing away with a smirk. “Now I see why Dad was hiding you from us.”

Killian laughs, nodding at Dan. “Dad is lettingyounear her? He’s lost his mind.”

“Enough. Don’t be dickheads,” Dan drones, then lowers his voice to me. “Sorry, I thought they’d behave.”

The younger brother continues. “She really is as pretty as you said she is. And she’s wearing your hoodie. Cute.”

“Killian, shut the fuck up.”

He laughs harder. “We’re only messing around.”

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