“And they dropped you off?”

He laughed. “Nope. I took a car to my truck and came straight here. I don’t like shopping. I do like you. It seemed like a simple enough solution. If they had to spend a few extra minutes looking for me in the store while I got to spend some time alone with you, that’s just too bad.”

My mouth fell open. “You did not!”

“I did. I was desperate.” He rolled us over so I was on top of him. “I’m not sorry. If I’d just gotten to hold you while you napped, I would’ve been happy, but now I’m downright smug. I’m a genius.”

The bedroom door swung open and Price stormed in. Glaring at Cole, he shook his head. “You’re an asshole. Get out of my room.”

I rolled off of Cole and pulled the blanket over my head. “I didn’t know anything until two seconds ago! I’m an innocent bystander.”

“Hardly.” Cole snorted and raised his voice. “Oh, Cole, yes! Sex me up while your friends search for you at the store!”

I laughed and then squeaked when he reached under the blanket to tickle me. His hand disappeared and then he grunted before Price reached into the blanket and grabbed me. He pulled me out and easily tossed me over his shoulder while I laughed and swatted at him.

“Go help Drake unload the truck, dickhead. I’m going to do the gentlemanly thing and wash you off of Sonnie.” Price slapped my ass and carried me towards his bathroom. “She’s too pretty to stink like you.”

CHAPTER 27

Sonnie

“It sounds stupid to me.” Rosie scowled at Drake and then looked back at me. “It’s stupid, right?”

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I’d been playing referee between the guys and Rosie since she woke up from her nap and they started talking plans for how to move forward with me. Rosie wasn’t afraid to state her mind and the guys were stubborn, so it was a pain in the ass to be in the middle. “I don’t think it’s stupid, Rosie. I—”

“You’re already getting bullied!” She stood up and balled her hands into fists at her sides. “You read what people are calling you! Doesn’t it bother you?”

Cole cleared his throat. “Don’t yell at your sister. She hasn’t done anything wrong.”

“You’re not my dad! You don’t know what you’re talking about.” Rosie stomped towards the staircase and glared back at me. “You’re being an idiot if you go along with this.”

“Hey!” Drake looked like he wanted to lecture Rosie, but she was right. They weren’t her guardians. I was.

“Stop.” I looked at the three of them and blew out a big breath. “She’s not wrong. I’m younger than you three but I’m notthatyoung. Agreeing to do thisdoesmake me an idiot. I’m already being ridiculed and called some of the worst names I could dream of. If I go forward with this, I’m setting myself up for more of the same.”

Rosie walked back over to where I was sitting on the couch and looked down at me. “So, you’re not going to do it?”

I looked down at my hands in my lap and sighed. “It’s not that simple, Rosie.”

“What do you mean?”

I licked my dry lips and worked out my thoughts. I didn’t want to say too much in front of the guys, but I knew Rosiewasn’t going to stop fighting until she understood my decision. “There’re layers to it. I gave my word I’d help them and I haven’t done that, yet. They’re going to get me into their class, Rosie, and I can handle being called names if it means I get the knowledge and respect that comes from taking that class.”

“And?” Rosie put her hands on her hips. “That’s not good enough.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at her insistence. “There’s also the fact that I like them, Rosie.”

She hesitated and frowned as she inspected the three men watching us. “Are you sure?”

Price grunted. “We’re perfectly likable.”

I met his gaze and the heated look he sent my way was an instant reminder of the way he’d taken me in the shower earlier. Blushing, I looked back at Rosie and nodded. “Why don’t we go talk in your room?”

“It’s not my room. We don’t live here.”

Price groaned and ran his hands through his hair. “Is this what all kids are like? Everything is an argument.”

I rolled my eyes at him and went with Rosie to the room she’d be staying in. It was beautiful, of course, with a stunning view of the pool and lake. I walked to the floor to ceiling windows and let out a slow breath. That view was the epitome of peace. “This definitely beats our view, huh?”