Page 20 of Filthy Liar

“Head inside,” Rory encouraged us, taking Skeeter’s hand. “You can help me unload the van, Skeeter Maddox. I need to have a word with you.”

He grabbed the back of her neck in silent warning and steered her towards the van, their quiet argument amusing me. I saw it in her eyes, she liked fighting him for dominance.

Logan went to take my hand but pulled away at the last second, so I grabbed it to let him know it was fine. I liked his touch, needed it, and I felt like holding his hand grounded me a little as we made our way into the massive house.

Frank’s eyes were wide as he walked with us, taking it all in for the first time. If a house like this intimidated me, I couldn’t imagine how it felt for a kid to walk in here.

Noah sat in the living room on the couch, his eyes fixed on the TV and acting like he hadn’t heard us walk in.

“Hey, perv,” I teased when he continued to ignore us, motioning to Frank and Lara. “This is Frank and his sister Lara. They’re staying here awhile.”

He slid his gaze to mine, his cheeks heating a little. “I wasn’t perving.”

“Sure,” I said dryly, turning my attention to Frank. “This is Noah. He’s a foster kid too.”

Frank took a step closer to me, his expression guarded. “Are his parents pieces of shit too?”

“The only parents I have are Rory and the guys,” Noah said sharply, a similar expression taking over his face.

“When did they start fostering you? They let you stay even though you’re older? Most foster homes don’t like older kids. They only like the cute babies,” Frank said curiously, and I gave Noah a pointed look to be nice. Frank was a tough kid, but he was scared of being in this massive house and possibly being kicked out while his sister got to stay.

It was every neglected kid’s nightmare.

Noah took a second before replying, forcing himself to relax a little. “Almost five months ago. They’re really nice. A lot of them were street kids themselves with shitty parents, so I think that helps them understand who gets left behind. I turned seventeen in February, and they said I can stay even once I’m eighteen. They help people get their own houses and everything when they age out of the system.”

“They won’t kick me out and keep Lara?” Frank asked quietly, sitting on the couch as Lara started fussing.

“Nah. They like to keep family together. A lot of kids have come through here, and they never split them up. Want me to show you the house? It’s huge. They have a theater room and everything.”

Frank instantly looked at me, and I nodded. “Noah’s cool. I can hold Lara while you go and look around if you want?”

He hesitated, not wanting to take his eyes off his sister for a second, but he finally stood and offered her to me.

I watched them wander off, not being able to help it as I snuggled Lara a little. She’d been bathed, her hair smelled like baby shampoo, and her little hand that wasn’t in a cast lifted to touch my face as she giggled.

I looked at Logan and found him already watching me with a weird look on his face. He somehow looked happy, devastated, and in awe at the same time.

“What?” I asked, rearranging my hold on Lara to sit her up a little.

“Nothing,” he murmured, my attention moving behind him as Reid and Zavier walked in.

“Where’s Frank?” Reid asked as he looked around, and I smiled.

“Noah’s showing him around.”

“At least there’s someone around that can play video games with him. Noah’s a good kid,” Zavier said as he walked over and dropped a kiss on my temple.

More people were coming inside, so we joined them in the kitchen, where Beckett was arguing with Riley.

“Don’t you fucking dare,” Beckett bit out, not bothered when Riley got in her face and shoved her back a little.

“Stay out of it. He’s my friend.”

“He’s a lying bucket of shit. What happens when his daddy kicks your door down, huh? God knows what he could do to you or Luna. Are you really willing to risk her for Lavaro?”

“He’s alone, Beckett. He needs somewhere to stay.”

“If I find out he’s there, I’m coming over to put a bullet in him. He’s fucked with my family for too long, and it ends now. You’re just a pawn in his game,” Beckett sneered, but Rory walked in with Skeeter and scowled.

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