Page 10 of Fair Play
“You really suck,” Becky mutters. “We’re going to be short rent this month.”
“Maybe Ben should donate,” I offer. “He sleeps here every night.”
“I don’t have a job!” Ben protests.
There’s a surprise.
“You.” Bodi points at him. “Apologize to my sister.”
Ben blinks.
“He’s not apologizing for making a joke!” Becky rolls her eyes again.
“He will if he wants to continue walking after I leave,” Bodi snarls.
My brother is great, truly, but he can also be a total drama queen.
Usually, it annoys me. Tonight, it’s kind of fun.
I toss my backpack over my shoulder and cock my head, watching the play of emotions on Ben’s face. He’s nervous, no doubt about that, and he keeps looking to Becky for guidance.
“I’m waiting.” Bodi folds his arms across his broad chest.
He’s my brother, so I try not to notice his physical attributes, but you’d have to be blind not to see how big and strong he is. Ironically, Rome is bigger. More muscular. The two of them standing together is pretty damn intimidating.
“How many times do we have to tell you he didn’t mean any harm?” Becky demands, throwing up her hands.
“Youdon’t have to tell us anything,” Bodi says. “I’m waiting to hear from Free Willy over there.”
I snort, covering my mouth to keep from laughing.
“I’m sorry!” Ben blurts. “We thought it would be funny. I wasn’t actually going to do anything to you.”
“Damn good thing,” Bodi snaps. “And let this be a lesson to you—whipping out your dick to a woman who isn’t interested isn’t a prank. Grow the fuck up.” He turns on his heel and motions for me to walk out ahead of him.
“Bye, bitches,” I mutter, walking out of the apartment.
We file down the stairs and get into Bodi’s SUV.
I squeeze into the back seat, where my suitcases are stacked, and Bodi pulls into traffic.
“Thank you for coming,” I say after a moment. “Seriously. I had no idea how fucked up they were.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t come?” Bodi asks, meeting my gaze in the rearview mirror.
“No, I knew you would. But I still appreciate it. You too, Roman Emperor.”
Rome chuckles. “Any time, Billie.”
There’s an awkward beat as Bodi looks from Rome to me and back again.
“Howthe fuckdo you two know each other?”
There he is, my overprotective big brother.
Well, this ought to be fun.
Chapter 4
