Page 99 of The First Time

"Guys, we're finishing this panel on the side and then calling it quits for the day," I tell them as my eyes remain glued to Layla's.

They all grown, knowing full well why I want to be done early today.

Layla looks up at the house. "It looks great guys. You got a lot of siding up today."

"Yeah, because your fiancé here threatened us if we weren't on board with helping," Eric grunts.

"Stop your bitching," Asher chimes in. "You need the manual labor to work off the depression your damn job has put you into."

"I'm not depressed," he defends weakly.

Even he knows that's a load ofshit.

"I've been meaning to talk to you guys about something," Layla says, changing the subject. She never likes to see Eric put on the spot and get more upset than he is already trying to hide.

"What's up?" I ask.

"Well, I talked to Mia and think I may have finally convinced her to come stay here for a little while."

Mia is her friend from Cleveland who she knows through the business. They met at some conference or something years ago and have been really close ever since. Mia is going through some shit right now, and Layla has been trying to get her to come here and get away from everything.

We've told her repeatedly she can stay in our spare room. We almost got her to agree but then we got engaged. Now, she claims she doesn't want to be in the way of a newly engaged couple.

"Okay, that's cool," Liam says suspiciously, not sure why Layla is announcing it.

"Well, I couldn't get her to stay with me because she doesn't want to be in the way since we just got engaged."

Asher chuckles. "That's code for I don't feel like hearing you two fucking every night."

"Ugh, grow up," Layla replies. "Anyway, I think if she can stay with one of you guys, I might be able to get her here. I know Asher is out since he's got his hands full, but I was thinking one of you two," she looks over at Eric and Liam.

"Is she hot?" Liam asks like it's a perfectly legitimate question.

I roll my eyes. "Are you fucking serious? Is that whatyou're thinking about when your sister is asking for a serious favor for one of her friends?"

Layla turns to Eric. "Eric, you are the only one left. Clearly, I can't let Mia stay with Liam. You have a mansion and wouldn't even know she was there."

Eric throws his tool down and grumbles something. "You sure you want your friend staying with a depressed mean old man like myself?"

Layla sighs. "Trust me, it's better than what she's dealing with right now. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't really important."

"Good, it's settled. Mia will stay with Eric," I announce.

Eric's eyes open wide. "I never said yes."

"Yes, you did. Because you're richer than all of us put together and have like five bedrooms. Only a piece of shit would say no."

Layla smiles at me like I'm her hero. I wink back.

Once all the tools are put back into my truck, I hop in my truck and follow Layla back to our home. She got a head start, so I hit the gas as I try to make it back as soon as possible to get my hands all over her.

I pull into our driveway, and she's leaning against her car waiting with a mischievous look on her face. Biscuit must be inside because I don't see him anywhere out here.

She makes it to the side of my car before I even cut the engine then opens my door.

"What's going on?"I ask.

"You kissed me and got me all ready to go. I had to slip my hand down my pants while I waited in my car for you."

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