Page 5 of End Game

All three shake their heads, and I can feel it.

I’m losing them.

“What if I cleaned the house once a week?” Ugh, I hate to make that offer, but I’m getting desperate.

They share a look, one that saysWho cares.

Men.

“I could cook too,” I add, a little reluctantly.

Dollar’s eyes light up. “You already know I love that idea.”

“But it means we’d all have to pay more rent,” Nico reminds him, sounding all growly and sexy.

Ugh, scratch the sexy part. Just growly. Grumpy.

“I don’t mind if she cooks for us. I’m so sick of fast food, bro. And pizza. We go there all the damn time,” Dollar practically whines. I’m sure he’s referring to the Woodstock’s Pizza that’s down the street.

“I mean, maybe not every meal, but a couple of dinners a week?” I offer, trying my best to remain calm. Like I don’t have everything on the line.

But I do. I’m desperately in need of a place to live, and this would work out great—only if I can get my rent down to a more manageable cost.

“We need to discuss this, if you don’t mind waiting?” Before I can respond, Nico is dragging the other two into his bedroom, the door slamming shut.

Oh God. It feels like my fate is in their hands, and I hate it.

I scurry back into the living room and perch my butt on the edge of the couch, fighting the anxiety that wants to sweep over me. I remind myself there have to be other options. They’re not the only place with a room/bed for rent.

Hopefully?

Eager to prove it, I grab my phone and google “rooms for rent Santa Mira.”

I scroll through the meager options, frowning. My heart sinks into my stomach. There’s not much offered, at least online. One of them is a bed for rent for $1,500—more than what they’re asking me now. There are also a couple of listings that sound super sketchy.

Sighing in utter frustration, I exit the Google search and hang my head, closing my eyes.

This is looking grim.

Chapter Three

NICO

“This is a crazy idea,” I announce the moment I shut my bedroom door.

“What’s so crazy about it?” Cooper leans against the wall, crossing his bulky arms. “She seems nice enough.”

“But do you really think we should rent the room to a girl?” I sound like an asshole. I feel like an asshole for even saying it, but damn.

I’ve never lived with a woman before, beyond a relative, and that doesn’t count. Wouldn’t she encroach on our stuff? Our personal lives? Would she try to turn this place into a pink palace? Would she have all her friends over under the guise of a study session, but really they’re all there trying to check us out? What if they’re boring or nerdy or flat-out awful or worse ... active fangirls who won’t leave us alone?

Yeah. I’m a complete asshole sometimes. I can admit it.

“What’s the problem? You think she can’t handle us?” Cooper’s brows lift.

“Handle us how?” Dollar asks, sounding confused.

Typical. The guy can be kind of clueless.

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