Chapter 4

MAY 13 – SATURDAY 9:45 PM

T heo

Was it too much to ask to have some peace and quiet and be left alone? You'd think that would be a simple request, but apparently, minding your own damn business really annoyed everyone. And of all the movies to put on, why did it have to be this one? It was the stupidest horror movie ever, and I'd almost had Ivy end up in my lap twice. I finally handed her a pillow to hide behind, but she was still pressing into me. Maybe I was just getting old and miserable.

Getting up, I walked out of the dark living room and wandered into the kitchen to get some water and grab a slice of pizza. I had to admit the pizza was great. Even cold, it tasted delicious. Cracking the lid on the water and wandering to the patio doors that looked out to the backyard, I nibbled on my slice.

I could feel Ren enter the room before I spotted her reflection in the dark glass. She grabbed a bottle out of the fridge and leaned against the island, her eyes staring into mine. I sighed and turned around.

"Go ahead, say it," I said.

"Say what?"

My brow arched. "Don't be coy. I know you want to tell me off for being an asshole."

"You said it, not me," she said, smirking.

"Very funny."

Ren pushed away from the island and joined me at the door. With a quick flick of the lock, it released, and she pulled it open. Obliging, I stepped outside and waited for the bitching to start, but instead, she wandered over to the patio chairs we cleaned earlier and sat down.

I moved to sit down beside her and looked up at the stars. It was a gorgeous, clear night, and even though it was a little cool, it wasn't cold. I found it refreshing.

"I'm sorry," I said, and I felt her turn her head and look at me. "I know I've been bristly about coming here."

"I know you don't want to be here, Theo. You never tried to hide your displeasure with being ordered to spend time with me. But I guess I don't understand why you're being so mean to Ivy. I don't really care about myself. If you want to bitch at me or whatever, then fine, but she's going through a tough time, and she's trying really hard to fit in. Could you cut her a little slack?"

My head rolled to the side, and I met Ren's silvery eyes that took on a ghostly effect in the dark. "It's not that I don't want to spend time with you or the guys or hell, even Ivy, although I do find her extra all the time." Taking off my glasses, I tossed them on the patio table. "I'm not great with change. I know, shocking, right?" Ren giggled, making me smile. "I had things I planned to do this summer, and it's not the end of the world, but…."

"You aren't great with change," she finished for me.

"Exactly."

She pointed at the glasses on the table. "Do you always treat your glasses like that?"

Chuckling, I looked at her, and she blinked as her eyes roamed over my face. I knew what she was doing. She was trying to wrap her head around how similar Blake and I actually were. I bit my lip like he would. This was a favorite pastime of mine when we were younger. Messing with teachers, friends, and strangers was a blast until it became annoying being called Blake or the other way around.

"I'll tell you a secret," I said, leaning in like I was going to let her in on something classified. Ren's face didn't give anything away, but the goosebumps on her arms told me I was screwing with her senses. I crooked my finger at her, and she nibbled on her bottom lip, which I hated to admit was sexy. She got close enough that I could whisper in her ear. "You promise not to say anything," I asked, purposely blowing a soft stream of air onto her neck to make her shiver.

"Yeah…um…I mean, yes," she stuttered, making me smile.

"I don't need them. I just like to wear them so that I don't get called Blake. It gets a little awkward during sex," I said and pulled back enough that I could watch her face flame a bright red. I winked like my brother would, and she squirmed in her seat.

"Oh," she said, our lips inches away from one another.

Smirking, I sat back and resumed staring up at the stars. It took a lot of willpower not to chuckle as Ren composed herself. I could see the appeal and why Blake and Myles had taken to her so quickly. She cleared her throat and stood, and I wasn't even sure why, but I reached out and grabbed her hand.

"Stay a little longer. It's nice out here," I said.

"Are you going to stop messing with me? And don't even bother trying to deny it. I know what you're doing." That comment made me smile, and I glanced up at her. "See, I don't even know if that's you now or you pretending to be Blake. Bloody twins," she grumbled.

Bursting out laughing, I leaned forward, grabbed my glasses, and held them up. "Now you know why I wear these. We actually have a ton of the same mannerisms, but I've worked at changing mine so people can tell us apart."

Ren sat down as I slipped the glasses back on. "That must be tough to keep up. Seems like you both are wearing masks."

I shrugged. "It used to be, but now this overly uptight pain in the ass that you see is really me."

"I don't see you that way. Competitive, sure, but I like to be pushed, and your jabs are shockingly helpful at keeping me motivated to be the best."

"We both know that's not going to happen. Nice try with the bonus questions," I said, and she laughed.

"Admit it, I had you going."

"Yeah, you did. Made me go in and ask about them. Mr. Sharpe looked at me like I'd lost my mind." Still smiling, she leaned forward and rested her arms on her knees. "Is everything okay?"

She nodded and then waved at her eyes, blinking away tears. "Stupid tears. I wish I'd never cried. Now it feels like that's all I do." If I was a painter, I would paint her in this moment. The moon made everything about her glow. From the silvery strands of her hair, cascading forward to hide part of her face, to the white hoodie. Ren looked ethereal, elven even. She would slay if she ever wanted to cosplay.

"Just tell me. What's up."

"I just know my mum would've loved to meet all of you. And then I feel so stupid because it seems like all I do anymore is think, wow, Mum would be so proud, or Mum would've killed Axel or, or, or." She shook her head and ran her hands through her hair. "I can't help but wonder if I'll ever stop doing that."

"Maybe you never should," I said, and her pain filled eyes lifted to mine. I shrugged. "Who gives a fuck how fast or slow you heal over something tragic happening in your life. If it takes you two weeks…no judgment. If it takes you two years…same. Heal at your own pace, and if anyone hassles you over your grief, then they weren't a friend in the first place." She opened her mouth, and I knew something mushy was going to come out, so I held up my finger to stop her. "Don't say something all Canadian, like thank you or sorry. Gross. Being polite. Yuck." Ren's eyes lit up with the teasing. "And I will be more patient with Ivy."

Ren stood and laid her hand on my shoulder. I smirked as she didn't say thank you and walked back into the house. I watched her go and then closed my eyes and settled into the incredibly comfortable chair.

I needed to come to terms with the fact that for the next four weeks, I was stuck here and had to make the most of it. Pulling out my phone, I shot Liam a text.

T: Hey, how's it going?

L: Not bad. The reno is going to take a couple months longer than anticipated, but we should be up and running by Christmas. Nash is livid, but when is he not?

I snorted. That was the truth.

T: He'll get over it. You going to any games?

L: There is a high stakes tourney in a couple days. I have an invite, but I know one of the players going is shady as fuck, so I think I'll pass unless he drops.

T: Wise.

L: You going to check out the racing scene in Canada while you're there?

Sighing, I thought about the races I was supposed to be in this summer, and they all would've been slam dunks to win.

T: Guess I could. Not like I have much else to do.

A coyote howling in the distance, and the flicker of light from the homes scattered around the countryside screamed how far out in the middle of nowhere we were.

L: What do you have to lose? If you need a bike, let me know. I'll pay for it from here to keep your name off any Canadian purchases.

I really felt like making a snide comment about him being a Sugar Daddy, but then I'd never see the bike if I needed it. Wasn't as fun to tease him when I couldn't see the look of disgust on his face.

T: Always thinking.

L: Did you expect anything less?

T: Not really. You going to party while I'm gone?

L: Is that your not-so-subtle way of asking if I'm planning on hooking up with anyone?

Fuck I hated how he called me out with his straight-talking, no-nonsense questions. He was the one person who could see any bullshit I tossed out. Then he would pick it up and throw it right back in my face. It was annoying and also why we worked.

T: I didn't say that, but now that you mention it…

L: Uh huh. No, I don't have any plans. What about you?

T: Don't know. I guess I could find some hot hockey players. I mean, they're supposed to be all over this country. See if he knows how to use his stick properly.

L: You know what happened the last time you decided to poke at my jealous streak.

Oh, I remembered. It wasn't so much that Liam got jealous. He didn't like not being in control. Which worked well since he was hot as fuck when he was giving orders. I'd admit that Liam ordering me onto my knees had gotten me off more than once.

T: I remember. I also remember you saying that the make up was incredible.

L: I see…I was going to tell you all about how I'm laying here naked, stroking my cock as I think about you. But now I'm just going to turn off my phone. Night, Theo.

T: Don't you fucking dare.

T: Liam?

T: Hello?

T: Asshole.

I tossed my phone down on my lap, my mind instantly playing over what he could be doing right now. Such an alphahole. No wonder he and Nash got along. Standing, I looked down at the semi I was sporting and swore. Not fair. Then again, when the hell did Liam ever play fair? Pulling my hoodie down to cover the distinct bulge, I marched for the door.