Page 67 of Bear
Like a viper strike, Bear’s hand darts out, grasping her wrist. I’m so surprised by his action, my gaze flies to his face, just in time to see him wince, his jaw setting hard. He doesn’t let on, but I think that gambit really fucking hurt his shoulder.
He glances down, inspecting her knuckles before clearing his throat. “These look a bit swollen. Why didn’t you say something?” His eyes flick up to meet hers, but she shakes her head.
“It’s nothing.” She drags in a ragged breath, her gaze moving to each of us in turn. “I’m sorry that happened, but I’m fine.”
“Don’t you dare be sorry,” I grit out.
A muscle in Bear’s jaw twitches as he studies her hand. “Tucker was being an asshole and he knows it. Too bad for him, you have a fucking excellent coach.”
Mason smirks. “You surprised the shit out of him.” He reaches out, patting Lennon’s thigh. “I’m going to get you some ibuprofen or something. Do you have any in your bathroom?”
Lennon sighs. “Yeah, okay. I guess it wouldn’t hurt, maybe they’re a little sore. There should be something in the medicine cabinet.”
Mason is busy concentrating on Lennon, but I don’t like the tightness around Bear’s eyes and the way he keeps readjusting his arm and shoulder. I jut my chin, grabbing his attention. “You need some, too?”
“No,” he huffs, irritation lacing his tone. “I have prescription stuff in my room. And I’ll run down to get some ice for your knuckles, Lennon. Be right back.” He drops a quick kiss to her forehead and climbs from the bed. I watch his quiet exit and wonder what the fuck is going on with my friend that he’s not willing to share.
I push it aside as Mason returns. He hands Lennon a paper cup of water, then shakes a few pills out of a bottle, and puts them in her palm. He eyes her warily, and because I do know him that well, I fully read that he has something else on his mind. A moment later, he proves me right. “Speaking of being sore, maybe you should soak in a tub or something. That was some marathon sex.”
She smirks and throws the pills back along with the water. “Maybe later. I just want to be with you guys right now.”
“Is that so?” A blush hits her cheeks, and I reach out, grab her foot, and kiss the arch.
Bear reenters the room, quickly reclaiming his spot beside Lennon on the bed. He picks up her hand and kisses the back of it before handing her a baggie of ice. “What are we talking about?”
Mason leans in on her other side, nipping at her ear. “She said she’d rather hang with us than soak in a tub.”
She lifts her shoulders to her ears. “Can you blame me? Look at the three of you.”
I don’t get a chance to fire off any witty remarks because my phone vibrates on the table next to her bed.
A second later, Bear’s and Mason’s go off as well.
What the fuck?
I get to mine first, dread slithering down my spine as I realize we’ve all received the same text from my father. My jaw goes rigid as I rub a hand over my chest.
“What is it?” Lennon plucks at the hem of her nightie, worrying it between her fingers absentmindedly.
Mason’s head rears back as he glances at the disturbing message on the screen. “What’s that about?”
With her eyes moving wildly from one to the other of us, she murmurs, “Seriously. You’re freaking me out.”
Bear growls, his face a thunderous storm cloud as he reads the message for her benefit. “Country club—tomorrow evening at nine. No questions. No excuses.”
THIRTY
LENNON
This morning,I almost fell asleep during my nine o’clock class and by the time I was done with all my classes for the day, I’d been so tired that I’d crawled into bed to read and had promptly fallen asleep. There are three very energetic men who are to blame for my current state. Except… maybe it’s me who is at fault. I told them to make me theirs, and that’s exactly what they’d done.
Waking up hours later in the dark, I half wonder if the guys went to the country club without me since I zonked out. But when I consider the shitstorm that seems to follow me around like a bad omen every time I’m alone, I kinda doubt they’d do that. They’ve been very careful to escort me to and from classes and haven’t left me alone at the house. And because of those precautions, it’s been mostly quiet around here—with the distinct exception of me using Tucker as a punching bag yesterday. That was nothing that the guys could have avoided. The minute that dickhead opened his foul mouth, I knew he’d have an unfortunate meeting with my fists. I don’t know where he gets off thinking he can call me “sweet cheeks” or talk about how he’d like to buy me in the auction.
And I still have no idea why I’ve been added to the list of sorority girls being auctioned off anyway. I don’t get it, but I don’t get anything the OG Bastards do… especially my stepfather.
Thinking back to the way the guys had closed ranks when the text message summons from Tristan had come in has me worrying all over again. They’d been so close-mouthed about it, I hadn’t wanted to push. To be honest, I couldn’t quite tell if they knew the reason they were being so suddenly and urgently called upon. I got the sense that bringing the guys in and not just dropping by may mean we’re talking about meeting with more than just the two OG Bastards. That’s just a guess, though.
I don’t know where anyone is, but the whole damn house is dark as I wander through it—with the exception of the dim light over the cooktop. What the hell timeisit? How long had I slept? I pat myself down, relieved to find my phone in the pocket of my leggings because I thought I’d left it upstairs. It’s only eight thirty.
