Page 15 of These Pucking Boys: Part Two

I’m already half-dressed when I hear my phone ring in the living room. “I bet that’s Ryan. I’ll go check.”

I stride out of the room since I’m the only one wearing pants. But it’s not Ryan’s name showing on my screen. It’s my father’s. Son of a bitch. He probably heard the news about our plane incident. I bet he’ll use that to try to force my hand. But not even an almost plane crash will make me change my mind. If anything, it just made it clearer that I’m where I belong. If he tries to hurt my chosen family, Iwillfind a way to destroy him.

Instead of letting the call go to voicemail, I decline it. Let him know I’m avoiding him.

“Was that Ryan?” June asks. She’s wearing a bathrobe instead of the pretty dress from before.

“No. Spam.”

“Oh.” Her brows furrow.

I check my phone. “He sent a text to everyone ten minutes ago. Eros will be fine. He just needed a few stitches.” I was hoping the good news would erase the worry from her face, but if anything, it just made her more worried. “What’s wrong?”

She runs her fingers through her hair. “You trusted me with Mrs. Carpenter’s pets, and I let Eros get hurt.”

I step into her space and touch her arms. “Accidents happen, and cats are prone to cause them.”

“Still, I feel horrible about it.”

“All that matters is that he’s fine. Besides, Mrs. Carpenter doesn’t need to know.”

Her eyes bug out. “You don’t want to tell her?”

I shrug. “Why worry her when she can’t do anything about it? By the time she returns, he probably won’t even have a scar.”

June nibbles on her lower lip. “I don’t know.”

“Okay, you can tell her the next time she calls. Then she’ll kick you out of her apartment and you’ll have no choice but to move in with us.”

Her jaw drops. “That’s mean.”

I laugh. “Wow, and here I thought I was being romantic and shit.”

“Wait. You don’t seriously want me to move in with you, do you?”

Theyesis on the tip of my tongue, but June is looking at me as if I’m crazy. The last thing I want is to scare her away. But I can’t lie to her either.

“It wouldn’t be the end of the world if you did.”

She blinks fast, then she steps back. Her frown tells me I dug a deeper hole for myself.

“How is the cat?” Lachy asks, walking into the living room fully dressed and reminding me I’m wearing only jeans.

“The cat is fine. I’m going to our apartment to take a shower.”

I run to the bedroom to get the rest of my clothes, then stride to the front door without making eye contact with June or Lachy.

“What’s gotten into him?” Lachy asks before I leave the apartment.

“No idea.”

June sounds sad, and it kills me. But I need to get my thoughts in order before more stupid shit leaves my mouth.

LACHLAN

I don’t know what’s up with Jake, but June looks like someone kicked her puppy. I step closer and touch her arm. “Are you okay, lass?”

She switches her attention from the front door to me. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

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