Page 40 of When Wrecked Meets Ruined
“Noah,” Brody called as he climbed onto the back porch. “I thought I told you to wait for me at the house.”
“I had to let Ridge know you were on your way. It’s our Bro Code.”
I bumped my fist against his. He tried to wink in solidarity, but he hadn’t mastered the skill. Both eyes were squinched tight. I stifled my laughter.
My seven-year-old nephew was a cool little dude. So I didn’t want to wound his pride by laughing at him.
“Bro Code,” Brody scoffed. “Run back to the house. Shiloh will make you some breakfast.”
“Okay. See ya later, Ridge.” He tried to get a peek into the living room, but Brody grabbed his shoulders, turned him around, and gave him a little nudge.
After Noah left, Brody faced me with his jaw clenched. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. Let it out. He was probably counting to ten. “Get this shit cleaned up and meet me at the house. I’ve got a job for you.”
When he strode away, I groaned and scrubbed my hands over my face.
Whenever Brody wanted to punish me, he got me shoveling shit. Literally. But living in the guesthouse on Brody’s ranch was a good set-up, and I didn’t want to lose the privilege.
“Wake up, you lazy fuckers,” I yelled. “We need to clean up, and then you need to get the hell out of here.” They were too slow to respond, so I shoved Walker off the sofa. He hit the floor with a thwack and sat up, rubbing the back of his head.
“The fuck, man? First, Wilkinson kicks me out of bed, and now this.”
I moved to the bottom of the stairs so my voice would carry. “Wilkinson, get your ass down here.”
Ten minutes later, we had the place cleaned up and looking as good as new.
“Teamwork makes the dream work,” I said, twisting the tie on the garbage bag.
Walker and I laughed. Troy used to say it before every practice, and I’d mocked him for it.
“Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want. It got the job done,” Troy said.
“Hold up!” Jackson said to the redhead as she hurried out the door with him chasing after her. The girl was Hannah, one of Ainsley’s minions, and I sure as hell hadn’t invited her.
“Oh shit. You’re fucked,” Walker said under his breath. Troy echoed the sentiment as we all turned to face the staircase. Callie Becker walked down the stairs in a short floral dress and a flushed face.
Callie Becker, as in the football coach’s daughter. The same Coach Becker who had been instrumental in getting me a full ride to San Marcos State.
I slept with the coach’s daughter? How could I not remember that?
I really was fucked.
Jesus, she was only sixteen. What the hell was I thinking? Clearly, I hadn’t been.
I tried to jog my memory. Callie Becker. Callie Becker. How the hell had she ended up in my bed?
Good job, Ridge. Fucking perfect.
“See you around.” Callie waved over her shoulder and scurried out the door like she couldn’t get away fast enough.
How had she even known where I lived? Not like I’d invited her to the party. Fucking social media.
I couldn’t let her leave like this. Spurring into action, I chased her and caught her before she got into her car.
“Hey. Hang on. Everything cool?”
She smiled but couldn’t meet my eyes. Without makeup, she looked like she was about twelve. Cute with long brown curly hair and a spray of freckles on her nose.Sixteen.Freckles. “Sure. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“I don’t know. Just checking.” Wincing, I pushed my hand through my hair. This was awkward as fuck. “Listen, I don’t quite remember what happened last night….”Care to fill in the blanks?
