Page 80 of Rage

“I won’t speak for the other guys. But for me, no. It doesn’t bother me one bit. What we have works. There’s always someone to take care of you and your mom.”

“I guess that makes sense.”

I pulled into the parking lot of the school, clipping our conversation short. “I’ll pick you up after soccer practice.”

“It’s a game tonight. Will you be there?”

Shit. Thea always reminded us of when Paisley’s games were. I’d have to leave work at the shop to get here for her. Parker usually was the one who came to games whenever Thea couldn’t. His schedule was the most flexible. Even though Shane and me owned the garage, we worked on custom cars with customers that demanded fast labor. It wasn’t fair to put the load on Shane.

“One of us will make it,” I promised.

She nodded, leaning over the console to press a kiss to my cheek. “Thanks, Calder. Tell Mom I love her.”

“I will,” I said, watching her hop out of the truck and slam the door.

Chapter Four

Thea

Seven Weeks Later

“Be careful, doll.” Calder’s deep voice warned as he opened the passenger door to the 4x4 truck we were renting this weekend. He extended his hand for me to grab while he glanced down at the high drop I had to get out. I’d land right into a puddle of slush if I jumped down.

Instead, I opted to wrap my arms around his neck and jump into his arms. He grunted, pretending to be displeased while my legs wrapped around his waist. Calder’s grunts always sent me into a state of bliss. His nonverbal grumpy ass used them to communicate with me without actually having to open up his mouth. This deep, startled grunt sounded a lot like one that meant he was quite happy with me jumping into his arms.

I buried my face into his neck as he walked backward and away from the truck, then spun us so he was walking toward the cabin. That was the beauty of being with four men. I’d never have to walk a day in my life if I didn’t want to. One of them would always be willing to carry me, and I didn’t even have to beg.

I inhaled his scent of leather and motor oil, grinning as I did. Even after a shower and twenty-four hours out of the shop, he still smelled like he’d been under the hood of a car.He smelled like home.My chest constricted at the thought, and I squeezed my arms around his neck tighter.

“Don’t drop me,” I teased.

“Never, vixen,” Calder said. His knee bent as he lifted his leg and started up the steps to the cabin.

The rest of the guys were unloading the car, already calling dibs on the sleeping arrangements. It always made me laugh to hear them arguing about who’d get to sleep with me that evening, as if they had the final say.

The air was cold, and though it wasn’t snowing right then, it had been on our way through the Great Smoky Mountains.

Someone else hurried up the steps and passed me. He fumbled with the key, then opened the door. “Welcome to our home for the weekend,” Hendrix said.

I looked up now, smiling at him as Calder carried me over the threshold. I reached out, brushing my fingers against Hendrix’s cheek while we walked past him. He dipped his head, leaning into my touch.

Hendrix was my sweetheart. The glue that held us all together. Whenever there was a disagreement, he kept the mood light hearted. Whenever our daughter, Paisley, needed anything, Hendrix was the one who did it. He moved Heaven and Earth for my baby, and for me every day. I was grateful for everything he did for us, and I’d never be finished extending that gratitude.

“Holy shit. This place is gorgeous,” Hendrix said.

Calder plopped down onto the couch in the center of the open floor-plan living room and adjusted me on his lap so I could glance around too. I’d seen pictures of the cabin. I was the one who booked it. The first floor was open. A living roomand kitchen area combined with no walls to divide them, a small game room/office area, and a half bathroom.

On the second level, I already knew there were two bedrooms and two full bathrooms. The main bathroom had a King-sized bed and a sitting area, while the second room had two queen beds. I knew when I was booking it that the sleeping arrangements would be ideal for our situation. Two of the men would be with me every night, the other two could have their own beds, and they’d probably take turns switching the nights. They usually only ever shared a bed if I was the meat in between their man sandwich.

“Who do you want to sleep with tonight, doll?” Calder asked.

I shrugged, hating to make the decision. If I had it my way, the five of us would be squished into one bed, so I didn’t have to be away from them. The body heat would be good in these snowy mountains, anyway.

“Don’t make her pick right now,” Parker said, his tone low and warning.

“I’m just trying to figure out where we need to put the luggage,” Calder defended.

“Up your ass,” Parker offered, flipping him the bird.

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