Page 43 of How to Prevent a Fumble

Owen is, well, not a fan. Never was. He knew the divorce was ugly. He knows that Tony is a piece of shit. But he doesn’t know everything.

Neither do my parents.

I’m not sure I can live with the I-told-you-so’s.

“Was that a dog?” their friend Emmett asks, his face pinched.

“Probably the pipes,” I say quickly, my attention still on Owen.

His face is red, his eyes narrowed at Leo.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” he seethes. “I know you were mad at me, but did you really have to stoop so low for some petty revenge?”

“What?” Leo and I ask at the same time. Leo leans against the wall, his arms crossed over his toned chest, as I stand in the middle of the room, my hands at my sides awkwardly as I look between everyone. The oven dings, likely more pizzabeing made.

“Did you really fuck my sister?”

Leo goes to open his mouth, but I beat him to it.

“OwenCrosby,”I hiss, thoroughly pissed. “Do you really thinkI’ddo that?” Leo’s head whips to mine, and I can’t be sure, but I almost think that hurt flashes in his eyes. “You know me better than that.”

I can take care of myself. And honestly? Even if I wanted to fuck Leo, I’d do it. But that’s my decision.

Immediately, Owen’s neck grows red as he draws back, realizing what he did. “I’m sorry,” he says sheepishly, a grimace on his lips. “I know you have this.” His lips tightening, Owen looks at the floor, clearly trying to decide if he should continue talking or not.

“I’m an adult. I can make decisions for myself.”

I know Owen had a lot of issues with Leo last year, and the way Leo was far too protective over Isla. Although I get wanting to make sure your sibling is safe, I’d hoped that Owen would know that I was good to make my own decisions. I’m older than him, anyways. What is he going to do?

Even if I did like Leo, even if we did have something going on, it wouldn’t be any of Owen’s business.

“I know,” he says, his tail between his legs.

“Then please don’t assume,” I say finally, crossing my arms over my chest.

As the conversation continues, Emmett looks between us all, clearly entertained. I can just imagine him going into the facility tomorrow and telling everyone what happened.

It brings me joy that Leo will have to defend himself to all of them, I won’t lie.

I turn back to Leo. “What the hell happened?”

Emmett chuckles. “Got caught leaving a hotel room with strippers.”

My arms drop to my sides, my head rolling back as I let out a loud groan. “Are you fucking with me?”

Leo’s face pinches as he winces, his hand going to the back of his head as he scratches it. “Yeah…” is all he says.

“When? I’ve been with you constantly,” I say, realizing my mistake a little too late.

Not wanting me to yell at him but clearly annoyed, Owen catches my eyes, his head tilting.

And I decide to just rip the band aid off. With a sigh, I tell him. “We’ve been living here for a little while as I help Leo. He needed an assistant, and I needed a job that would let me watch Elara.”

He looks confused. “You know Isla is home most of the time, right? She works from home still. She could watch Elara during the day.”

I shake my head. “Do you know how much energy that kid has? You guys do enough, but I don’t need Elara around all of her expensive paints and things. I know she paints with her a little when she has her, but while she’s trying to work? I wouldn’t do that to her.”

“If you need it‚—”

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