Page 23 of Eclipsed Heart

Tears burned my eyes. Not many people were considerate of me, but this family always had been, even when they didn’t have to be. “Thank you.”

“Of course, dear.” She patted my cheek. “Why don’t you change before the others get here?”

I nodded, placing my freshly brewed coffee to one side. “I’ll do that right now.” I started a cup of coffee for Bodey then snatched the clothes from the couch and headed upstairs.

Back in Bodey’s room, I put on the bra and shirt and then slid on the jeans. As I zipped them up, Bodey sauntered out of the bathroom.

The jeans were a tad short on me, hitting my ankles, and a size too small, but they’d work for this morning and looked way better than a shirt and boxers.

Bodey tilted his head, taking in the outfit. The spicy scent of arousal wafted around him. “I didn’t think about that, but my sister’s clothes work for you.”

I stuck out my tongue. “You just wanted me to be wearing your clothes when we saw Theo.”

His eyes darkened as he smirked. “I mean, it sure wouldn’t bother me.”

With every ounce of control I had, I managed to school my expression, but I knew he could feel my joy through our bond, and he grinned. I loved that he wanted everyone to know I was his. “Well, your mother thought about it, and she’s downstairs with the food ready.”

The front door opened, and the sounds of Jack’s and Lucas’s footsteps stomped through the house.

I ran for the stairs. If I didn’t get down there in time, Jack would steal my coffee. He’d done it before.

Bodey strolled in behind me.I’m assuming you made yourself a cup of coffee.He wouldn’t be so smug in a second.

And one for you,I replied as I hit the bottom of the stairs and trotted down the hallway just as Jack strolled into the kitchen.

Jack’s eyes lit up when his gaze landed on the two unclaimed coffee mugs. As he reached for mine, I snarled, “Don’t eventhinkabout stealing my coffee!”

“What?” Jack groaned. “But it’s there, fixed just the way I like it.”

I darted between him and my cup, knocking him back a few steps. “Then make yourself one.”

Lucas laughed. “Is that why you were rushing down here?”

“Hell yeah.” I took a sip, the warmth heating my insides like the sun on a summer day. “This is mine.” I then took the mug that was in the Keurig. “And this is Bodey’s.”

“Whatever.” Jack snatched a biscuit off the pan.

“Hey,” Janet chastised as she smacked his hand. “You can wait with everyone else.”

Jack lifted his palms. “Why is everyone being so mean this morning?”

“We aren’t being mean.” Bodey entered the kitchen, squeezed between Jack and Janet, and stopped at my side. He took his mug from me as he continued, “We just know how you are.”

Leaning against the island, Jack sulked.

Now that he and Lucas were here, there was no point in prolonging the inevitable. “Did Stevie tell you anything? How’s she doing?”

“Nothing more than what she’d already told you.” Lucas shrugged.

Jack crossed his arms. “And I believe her.” He reached over and snagged a plate that was on the counter. “In fact, I’m gonna take her some food this morning.”

“That’s a wonderful idea.” Janet loaded the plate with eggs, sausage, and pancakes. “She’s Callie’s sister, and until we know whether or not she plans on working against us, we shouldn’t make her feel like a complete prisoner.”

“Then I should eat with her too.” Jack took another plate and held it out to Janet.

She filled his plate up too, and then he called over his shoulder, “I’ll be back in a minute.”

He hurried out the back, damn near racing next door.

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