Chapter 4

Delaney

The first time I see Elijah is the next morning. I’m up early, unable to fall back asleep after getting up to pee, so I decide to take a jog around the property, which is when I see him slip into his room.

My brows furrow. He’s fully clothed at six am? Does he go on early morning runs or was he just coming home?

“Weird,” I mutter to myself before heading downstairs. A part of me can’t help but wonder if he only agreed to be friends because his brothers did. What if he doesn’t want that, hates the idea of me being here, and is avoiding me.

Heading into the kitchen to grab a bottle of water, I freeze when I see Logan.

“Hey.” I smile as he spins around, a very wide-awake Benny in his arms. “Good morning, cutie pie.” He smiles at me—and ugh, he’s so damn cute!

“This little man didn’t want to sleep anymore, so that’s why we’re up, but what are you doing up this early?” Logan asks before his eyes skim over my body. “You run?”

“Is that so hard to believe?” I laugh, putting my hands on my hips with a playful smile.

He cocks his head to the side, and this time, as he looks at me, I feel the heat in his gaze. It makes me want to squirm, a warm feeling stirring in my belly.

“No,” his voice is a little huskier than before. “I can see it.”

Swallowing hard, I go to the fridge and grab a bottle of water. “I haven’t gone running in a while,” I tell him, turning back to see Benny grabbing at Logan’s face, and I smile. “Something happened, and I stopped.” I shrug.

His brows furrow. “What do you mean something happened? Like what?”

Looking down at the bottle, I play with the label, feeling uneasy as an old memory takes over. “It’s nothing.” I give him a forced smile.

“Delaney,” he counters in a warning tone. “If this friend thing is going to work, we need to trust each other. You can tell me things..”

He’s right. It’s just not very easy for me to relive it. Sighing, I meet his eyes. “About a year ago, I was running like I always did every morning at six am. There was a park near my place that I always went to. It had a nice running trail, and it was a pretty safe area. Until it wasn’t.” I lick my lower lip before continuing. “That morning, when I was just about to finish, a guy came out of nowhere. He attacked me, pulled me into the bushes.” I look away, closing my eyes as I feel the ghost of his hands on my body.

“Delaney,” Logan’s voice is soft but thick with fury.

“It’s okay.” I smile, shaking it off. “He didn’t rape me if that’s what you're thinking. He tried, though.” I let out a hollow laugh. “I fought hard, gave him a few really good punches and kicks. I managed to get away and ran home.”

“Fuck,” he curses, running a hand through his hair. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.” I can see he means it. “Did they arrest him?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I called the cops as soon as I got home, but by the time they went to check it out, the guy was long gone. After that, I didn’t feel safe, you know? Like he was out there waiting to finish the job. It took me a long timeto go anywhere on my own, always bringing my friends or boyfriend wherever I went. Sorry, ex- boyfriend.”

“I still think that jackass is the biggest fool on the planet,” he mutters, taking Benny’s hand and pressing a kiss to it when he tries to pull at Logan’s lips.

“Thanks.” I laugh. “I think so, too.”

“So, what made you want to start running again?”

I shrug. “I miss it. And your property has really good security, gates all around. I feel... I don’t know... safer. I don’t think I’ll be listening to music as I run any time soon, but I think I’ll be okay running the perimeter.”

“Do you plan on going every morning?”

“If I can.” I nod.

“Good, I’ll make sure Joe has eyes on the grounds while you do.”

“Joe?”

“Head of security. He will make sure nothing happens. Although, our property is really well guarded and safe.”

My heart fills with emotion, and I smile. “Thanks, that would help a lot.”

He gives me a small smile and nods. Then he wrinkles his nose. “Damn, son, you're nasty.”

Benny bursts into giggles, and we all laugh. “I need to go change him. Enjoy your run, Laney.”

“Thanks,” I tell him. “Bye-bye, stinky boy,” I baby talk, waving at Benny.

Placing my phone and bottle of water on the edge of the fountain, I start to stretch. My eyes scan the area, seeing where the best place to run is. It’s a relatively open space, but there are some trees towards the left side of the property.

Zipping my phone in the pocket of my shorts, I grab my water bottle and start off with a light jog. Deciding not to push it today, I stick to the open spaces.

It doesn’t take long before I’m smiling, the familiar feeling I used to get hitting me hard. The breeze against my skin is nice. The sun is out just enough to lighten the sky, but it’s not beating down on me, so the temperature is perfect.

I take my time, enjoying myself, and by the time I get back to the house, I’m dripping with sweat while tears fill my eyes. I did it, I ran , and I didn’t feel like someone was watching me like someone would pop out of the trees and grab me.

I’ll take this small victory.

Chugging the rest of my water, I head into the house and up to my room to shower.

Once I’m dressed in a cute sundress, my hair done up in loose casual curls, I head down to grab something to eat.

When I get to the kitchen, I find Mom making eggs. But she’s not alone. James is there, and so is Elijah.

“Morning,” I greet them, taking a spot at the island next to Elijah. If he’s avoiding me, maybe I won’t make it so easy for him.

“Good morning, honey.” Mom gives me a bright smile. “Are you excited for today?”

“I am.” I smile back. “I can’t wait to see you try everything on.”

“I’m jealous. You get to see your mom in all the dresses.” James chuckles, kissing the side of my mom’s head. “I know she’s going to look gorgeous in everyone.”

“Oh, stop it, you.” She shoves at him playfully, giggling.

“Do you have a dress yet?” Elijah asks me.

“Nope.” I smile. “So it’s going to be extra fun.” I laugh.

Mom sighs, shaking her head.

“What?” Elijah asks, looking between the two of us.

“Delaney is a picky girl. We went to so many stores back in San Francisco, but she hated everything she tried on while her aunt and my best friend found their dresses at the first store we went to.”

“What?” I laugh. “I’m sorry , but none of them were right. I know the wedding is in a week and a half, so I promise I won’t be picky anymore. If I don’t find anything I love, I’ll just pick the dress I hate the least.”

“Just promise you won’t say anything negative around the people who work there, please.” Mom gives me a pointed look.

“You know I won’t.” I wave her off and thank her as she sets a plate of eggs and toast in front of me.

“No, I don’t. Might I remind you of the time we were out shopping, and you saw some young lady trying some things on. You practically ran out of that dressing room naked to track her down and tell her not to buy the dress she tried on.”

“Mom!” I gape at her. “It was school-bus-yellow and made her look like a banana. I couldn’t let her buy it. Her friends clearly weren't being honest with her.”

“I have to warn you, James. Delaney will keep us on our toes. You never know what this girl is going to do.” Mom sighs, but I see the playful smile on her lip. She loves me.

“She will fit right in. The boys have been doing that for years,” James assures her.

“Mostly Owen,” Elijah chuckles. “I’m an angel.”

“Oh really?” I give him a look. He meets my eyes, a faint blush forming on his cheeks. He damn well knows he’s not an angel. Not with the things we did that night.

Elijah just shrugs and looks away shyly. It’s cute how easily he gets flustered. But he’s not the same man I met back at the resort. He was friendly, bubbly, and talked a lot. Now, he’s meek and quiet. I wonder what changed?

“What are your plans for today?” James asks Elijah.

“Nothing really. Just gonna hang out around the house.”

“Why don’t you go with the girls? Maybe help them pick something out.”

“Ahh.” Elijah looks taken off guard.

“Yeah, come. It could be fun.” He said he wanted to be friends... well, damn it, I’m gonna make this guy my friend whether he likes it or not. Maybe I’ll find out why he’s been avoiding me.

“Really?” he asks me, looking surprised. “You want me to come with you?”

“Why not? You’re family, after all.”

His face falls. “Yeah, family.” He takes a drink of his juice.

“So, is that a yes?” James asks.

“Why not.” Elijah smiles at my mom. “Maybe it could be fun.”

***

A few hours later, Mom finds the perfect dress. We both start to cry when she tries it on. It took trying on almost every dress in the store first, but it was worth it.

“You look like a princess,” I tell her, snapping a few photos.

“I feel like one,” she whispers, her smile so bright as she stares at herself in the mirror.

“Dad is going to lose his mind when he sees you.” We look behind us to see Elijah standing there.

“You think?” Mom asks nervously.

Elijah smiles. “Absolutely. You look stunning, Melissa.”

“Thank you.” Mom grins. “This is the one. I have to have it.”

“Are we saying yes to the dress?” Joy, the lady who owns the store asks as she steps into the dressing room area.

“Yes.” Mom nods eagerly. “This is the one.”

“Wonderful!” Joy claps. I’ve seen the price tag on that dress, I know why Joy is so... well, joyful. James is about to spend a small fortune on it.

I help Mom out of the dress, and Joy brings back a garment bag to put the dress in.

Following Mom out of the stall, I find Elijah standing there, placing some dresses on the rack. I already tried on a ton and hated them all.

Not wanting to put a damper on things, I told her that we should be focusing on her and I’ll keep looking after.

“What are those?” I ask him.

“Scuba suits.” He grins.

“Oh, so he has a sense of humor,” I laugh.

“I have my moments,” he chuckles. “While your mom was trying on dresses, I thought I’d take a look around and grab a few for you.”

“Thanks.” That was really sweet of him. I step over to the dresses and take a look at what he picked. They’re not bad, compared to the ones I tried on. “Do you hate me?”

The question is sudden and takes him by surprise.

“What?” His eyes widen, lips parting and closing. “Why would you think that?”

I shrug, trying to play it off as casual, but I’ve been wanting to know why he’s been avoiding me since I’ve gotten here. Granted, it’s only been three days, but still.

Looking back at the dresses, I mindlessly move them around. “Because it seems like you’ve been avoiding me.”

“I haven’t. Trust me. I’m sorry if you’ve thought that. I just...” He sighs. “I haven’t been home. And not because I wanted to get away from you. I was with my friends.”

“Oh.” I blink a few times. I feel like shit now, assuming the worst. Of course, he has a life. Why did my mind go right to the worst.

Because you like the three of them more than you want to, and the idea of them hating you makes you want to puke, that's why.

His hand touches my shoulder, and a jolt shoots down my spine. “Delaney, what I feel for you is far from hate.”

I risk a glance his way and have to swallow down a gasp. He looks at me with so much pain and longing, it actually hurts.

My heart races as my mind goes blank. I want to kiss him, damn it. But I won’t.

When I finally speak, it’s a whisper. “I’m glad. I don’t think I’d be able to handle it if any of you hated me. Pathetic, right?”

“Not at all. And trust me, we don’t. We could never.”

We stare at each other, things we can’t say hanging in the air. I shouldn’t be glad that he likes me. I shouldn’t have a burst of happiness that he looks like he wants to kiss me too. But I do.

“I should try these on,” I say, breaking the stare-off, looking back to the dresses.

“Yeah.” He clears his throat.

“Why these dresses?” I ask, looking back to Elijah, highly aware his hand is still on me. As if he can sense my thoughts, he snaps it back.

He clears his throat. “Joy showed you all the dresses that cost the most,” he chuckles. “They’re all big and flashy. I could tell by the look on your face that style wasn’t for you. So, I looked for something a little more simple but not boring. Something classy but fun. Like you.”

That makes me smile. “Well, I like your mindset. Let’s see if any of these are the winner.”

While all the dresses are a million times better than the ones Joy picked out, it’s the last one I try on that I end up loving.

“Laney, baby!” Mom gasps as she steps into the stall. “You look so beautiful.”

Smiling at myself in the mirror, I agree. “I love it.”

“Oh my god!” Mom gasps, more in a joking manner, but I can see the shock on her face. “Did you find something you actually like?”

“No,” I laugh. “Elijah did.”

Her face softens. “That's sweet of him to help out.”

He was right. Everything Joy showed me just wasn’t my style. But this dress, it’s perfect. It’s maroon, matching my mom’s chosen colors.

It’s a simple a-line dress with a V-neckline, but it still makes me feel sexy. It’s sleeveless with thick shoulder straps. My breasts look so damn good, the neckline going right down to the fabric that’s right under my breast. The bottom half flows from that point all the way down, brushing against the floor.

“The best part-” I pop my knee out of the slit.

“Ohh, sexy,” she teases.

Part of me wishes I had a thigh tattoo. God, that would be so hot.

After changing out of the dress, we meet Elijah at the front of the store.

“Find anything you liked?” he asks me. I didn’t bother to show him the dresses when I was trying them on, too afraid to get locked in his tempting eyes.

“I did. All thanks to you.” I smile as Mom pays for the dresses.

“Happy to help. Can’t wait to see which one you picked.” The way he’s looking at me and the tone of his voice has me shivering.

These Cross boys are going to be the death of me.

***

When we get home from dress shopping, Mom calls Auntie Sylvia to talk about wedding stuff.

Me? I head up to my room and find myself bored. I could go swimming or watch a movie in the big fancy theatre room they have, but I don’t want to do that alone.

I really hope I make some friends once school starts; otherwise, life is going to suck.

I could ask if one of the guys wants to hang out, but I don’t think being alone with them right now is a good idea.

I’m supposed to be getting over my attraction to them, yet every time I lay my eyes on one of them, it grows.

I’m officially doomed.

Choosing to read my book, I snuggle up in my big fancy bed and end up falling asleep a few chapters in.

When I wake up, I’m dying to pee. Groaning, I drag my ass out of bed and do my business, but as always, now I need water.

I should get a mini fridge up here or something. Would save me all these late-night trips. Keeping a glass of water at my bedside isn’t an option because I hate warm water. It needs to be ice cold , or I won’t drink it.

Down to the kitchen , I go.

As I round the corner, my sleepy-ass nearly crashes into someone.

“Shit, sorry.” I blink a few times, forcing myself to become more alert. My brows shoot up when I see it’s not one of the guys, my mom, or James that I bumped into but a tiny, blonde pixie of a girl.

“No problem, it’s my fault for creeping around here in the middle of the night.” She laughs, giving me a bright smile.

I just keep blinking, really confused right now. “Ahh, who are you?” I ask, cocking a brow.

Then a possibility hits me in the gut. Did I just bump into one of the guy’s booty calls or something? Why else would some girl be walking around the house at night?

The idea sits heavily in the pit of my stomach. She doesn’t look like she’s just been thoroughly fucked. I’d say maybe they didn’t do their job, but I have first-hand experience that each one of them knows what they’re doing.

“Oh, silly me.” She laughs again and then holds out her hand. “Name’s Winter Brooks. You must be Delaney.”

I stare at her hand for a moment. But I don’t want to be rude; she seems nice enough, so I take her hand and give it a little shake.

“Might I ask why you're walking around the Cross’ house at midnight?”

With Bentley sleeping down the hall, the idea of random women creeping around here doesn’t feel right.

“I’m here to see Elijah. It’s okay; I’m allowed to be here. I have, like an open invitation to be at the house, even know the gate code and everything.” She grins proudly.

My stomach sinks. “Oh.” I blink a few times. “Are you his girlfriend?” If he has a girlfriend, why would he sleep with me? And why would he be looking at me the way he was today.

Her eyes widen, and then she laughs like it’s the funniest thing I ever said. “Oh god, no.” She waves me off. “Girl, yes, friend, also yes, but not together. We’re best friends; hell, he’s like my brother. We’ve known each other since kindergarten. Soulmates but not in a romantic way.” She shrugs. “I mean, don’t get me wrong, he’s hot as hell. But also, I’m not really into men anyway.” She adds with a wink.

I feel stupid for jumping the gun and a smile takes over my lips as she keeps chattering on. It’s cute and not annoying. Elijah’s best friend, huh. Not going to lie, makes me feel a hell of a lot better than I did a moment ago.

This Winter girl is adorable. I kinda of like her.

“Winter?” Elijah’s sleepy voice sounds. He’s standing in his doorway, no shirt, with his sleep pants hung low on his waist. My eyes drop to his V, and I can’t stop my mouth from watering. His eyes drift over to mine. “Laney?”

“Hey, Eli,” Winter waves at him, her smile still on. This girl is, like made out of rainbows and sunshine or something.

His gaze drifts back to hers. “You okay? What are you doing here so late.”

I can see Winter’s smile falter, but she does her best to keep it in place. “Oh, just mom and dad again.” She laughs, but this time it’s hollow.

Elijah’s face softens. “Come on in.” He opens his door wider.

“It was nice to meet you, Laney. I have a feeling we’re going to be best friends too.”

I’m caught off guard when she quickly hugs me before rushing into Elijah’s room.

“She’s... nice.” I laugh, still not sure what the heck just happened.

He looks into the room before stepping out. “She’s just a friend,” he tells me, eyes searching mine. He looks worried.

“She told me. But even if she wasn’t, it would be none of my business.” I laugh lamely.

His face falls. “Yeah.” He blinks a few times. “Sure.”

“Anyway, I’m gonna go grab something to drink. Night.”

He sighs. “Night, Laney.”

As I turn around and walk the rest of the way down the hall, I can’t help but feel like I’ve said the wrong thing. The look of disappointment on his face wasn’t all in my head, was it?

I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment of my own. Now, a part of me wishes she was his girlfriend because then maybe I could convince myself to stop feeling like this.

How can they have this much power over my feelings? I only knew each of them for a day before coming here.

At this point, I know I can’t keep denying things. I want them, but I can’t—no, won’t—touch them.

I know that will prove to be easier said than done.