Page 19 of Wild Card
“Take that back,” I joked, even as my heart gave a startled thump. I wasn’t used to someone trying to see the best in me.
Emory ruffled my hair like I was a dang kid as he passed to take a seat on the other side of the table. “Nope. You’re as sweet as your dogs, even if you snarl a bit.”
I ignored him and started shoveling eggs into my mouth. Wasn’t like I could convince him he was wrong. Emory was so nice it’d be pointless to try.
“Gray, your taillight is busted on the bike,” I said. “Got pulled over last night. Almost got a ticket.”
Or a dicking. But didn’t mention that part.
“I could have told you that if you’d asked before you borrowed it,” Gray said. “I’ll get it fixed this week.”
“What have you got going today?” Holden asked me.
“Gonna borrow the shower here shortly. Maybe bring over some laundry to wash.”
“Did you pull that fender off the 2001 Chevy Impala yet? We need to finish that repair tomorrow.”
“Right. Damn. I’ll do it today.”
“I can send Bailey over to remind you la?—”
“I said I’d do it,” I snapped. “Just let me finish breakfast first. Jesus.”
Taz picked up on my tension and growled. Gray took a big step back.
Holden and I snickered, the tension breaking. The first time Gray met Taz, my tiny terror had gone for his dick as he crouched on the ground, and he’d been skittish around him ever since.
“Oh, fuck you,” Gray said as our snickers gave way to full laughs.
“He’s just so small,” I choked out.
“You could squash him with one stomp,” Holden added.
I narrowed my eyes. “Not cool.”
“I’m not saying heshould?—”
Emory cut in as he lowered his hand to feed Taz a bite of sausage. “He’s a sweetie pie.”
Banshee and Sugar pushed in, eyes big, and Emory gave each of them a bite as well. Then a second round for them all when the begging continued.
I pushed back from the table. “Your boyfriend is a pushover.”
“Uh-huh, and you didn’t give them yourfirstbite or anything,” Emory said.
I raised an eyebrow. “You’re getting as bratty as my brothers, aren’t you?”
He shrugged. “If I’m going to live here, I guess I need to start acting like one of you.”
Holden choked on his bite of eggs. “Wh—What?”
Gray grinned as he took my spot at the table. “Yep. Asked the golden boy to move in.”
“That’s…” Holden picked up his coffee and took a long swallow.
This should be good. I turned, leaning back against the sink, and waited for the fireworks.
“Good,” Holden said.
