12. Chapter 12

W hat the actual fuck?

My mind is still spinning over Bret's revelation. I knew she was keeping a secret, and I knew someone had hurt her. But that? I never could have imagined that to be her story.

What kind of sick fuck preys on someone like that? Like her ?

No woman should ever be used and manipulated, especially Bret. She has such a good character and a heart of gold.

Bret Campbell is the type of girl you bring home to meet your parents.

Blood boils in my veins as I fight the urge to catch the first flight to Arizona and find Chad —such a small dick name for a douchebag. I want to introduce him to my fist, and I'm not that guy. Now, my brother, he's the type of guy who speaks with his fist, not me.

But right now, I could make an exception.

The entire ride to Brynn and Chloe's townhouse has been silent. Bret has sat with her head lolled against the window as she stares out at the passing scenery. Harris hasn't said much but keeps finding my eyes in the rearview mirror. And JP, well, JP is JP . He's had his nose in his phone with a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth, probably organizing some kind of hookup.

A few minutes later, we are climbing the walkway to the townhouse. Harris leads the way, with JP behind him and Bret following him. I eat up the space between us and nudge her shoulder. Her green eyes shine up at me, but they aren't as bright as they have been. No, they look more like how she arrived weeks ago, which I'm not surprised about.

"Ready for this?"

"Totally. Who wouldn't want to spend an evening with people she barely knows after confessing her fucked-up past?"

Reaching my hand out, I gently grab her forearm and feel the shock between us. "Rebel, we don't have to go in there."

She shakes her head. "No, I'm fine. Sorry, that was a bad attempt at a joke."

"If that was your attempt at a joke, we have a lot of work to do."

"Crew!" a booming voice sounds from behind me. "Quit hogging our girl!"

A wide smile takes over Bret's face as she finds Brynn. With a pat to my chest, Bret's moving past me, our bare arms brushing. Her eyes find mine over her shoulder before she calls out, "You coming?"

I'd follow her to the end of the world.

Stepping foot inside the townhouse, my senses are hit with the delicious aroma of fresh-baked bread and garlic. Italian must be on the menu for tonight's dinner. Brynn and Chloe both live in a two-story townhouse near campus. It's a newer complex with higher-end finishes and neutral colors throughout.

The two started hosting dinners with their other friend, Macy, a few years ago. Even though Macy moved out to live with her boyfriend, Gregg, Brynn and Chloe have continued the tradition. Luckily for us, Chloe cooks all of the food. Her dad is a Michelin-star chef, and she acquired his talent in the kitchen.

"Okay, before we get this whole thing started," Brynn's energetic voice carries me back to the present. "I've gotta know what the hell I should call you. I had no clue you were like a double agent with your multiple personas."

Bret chuckles softly. "Grant, and occasionally, my mom will call me Addy. I'm Bret to everyone else, but you can call me whatever."

"Be careful, or she'll give you some stupid nickname." Speaking of her brother, he chimes into the conversation as he steps in from the kitchen.

Brynn rolls her eyes. "Bret it is. Welcome to my house. Ignore your brother. He hates me."

"He's a grump to everyone," Bret adds, turning to hug her brother. "Isn't that right, big brother?"

Grant scowls at his sister and then Brynn. The two have history, not romantic history or anything like that. Brynn was a wildcard until last year when she got with Quinton. Speaking of Quinton…

"Q here?" I haven't seen him since he moved to Denver in May. Last spring, the Denver Mustangs selected him first in the NFL draft. The two of them quickly found an apartment to rent in the city, and Q moved west. Brynn spent the summer with him, so the start of this school year is pretty much one big family reunion.

"Did someone say my name?" Quinton appears at the top of the stairs. I can't help the surprise that washes over my face as he hops down to where we're standing. With a quick kiss to Brynn's temple, Q sticks his hand out, and I grab it firmly. We pull each other in for a quick, one-arm hug as our shoulders bump, clapping each other's backs. Stepping back, I can't wipe the smile off my face.

"How's it going, man?"

"Good. Glad to be back for the weekend." Quinton drapes his arm around Brynn, and she beams up at him. Both of them glow. Happiness looks good on them. "Nice game yesterday. "

"Food's ready," Chloe shouts from the kitchen, interrupting the conversation. Q and Brynn turn, and we all follow them into the kitchen.

"Chlo, you've got to meet Bret." Brynn's energy vibrates as she reaches over the counter and snags a tomato out of the salad bowl.

Bret stands at my side, her brother moving through the kitchen. Chloe kicks the fridge door closed with her foot as her honey-blonde hair flies in her face, and she turns, bringing salad dressing bottles to the counter.

"Oh, hey! You're the girl who was at the lunch table on our first day." Bret's smile widens before she steps around me, moving closer to the kitchen. The two chatter as I move outside the patio door.

"You and Campbell?" Q steps out on my heels.

"Grant and I are fine." Lifting the top of the cooler, I shift around the ice until I find a bottle of water and Coke for Bret.

Quinton reaches inside and pulls out a bottle of water. "Not Grant, Bret."

Twisting the cap, I take a sip, busying myself as I scan the small backyard where tables are lined up. "Just roommates."

"Yeah, okay." Q nods to the guys sitting around the table. "Use your brain."

The creak from the sliding door has us turning our attention. The girls are piling out with hands full of plates. Quinton and I step out of their way before following them. The white plastic tables are decorated with a few ceramic vases with fresh flowers, and clear holders hold small white-lit candles. Each table setting has a clear plastic disposable plate and napkin-wrapped silverware set. The girls always make sure the dinner feels special.

"S'up, man." Cody nods next to me. Cody Jacobs is a pitcher for the university's baseball team, which just won their first national championship. It's been a good year for CTU athletics, and I hope it continues. He and Chloe started dating last spring. The two of them have a sordid past they kept a secret from our friend group. But it's all worked itself out. I feel it won't be long until they say ‘I do' like Q and Brynn. Only this time, I hope we're all invited to the wedding and not that surprise elopement bullshit.

I nod, taking in the spread. "Chloe, the food looks amazing."

She leans forward from her place next to Cody. "Thanks. I thought you boys could use a good meal after last night's game. How are the ribs? That hit looked nasty at the end of the game."

"Oh my gosh, you should see the black and purple bruise on them," Bret adds from her place across from me.

"And how would you know?"

Bret's eyes roll. "My roommates walk around without shirts, Grant."

"Yeah, Grant. A girl's got to get it where she can. And hell, I don't blame her for looking."

"You're extra spicy tonight, B." Grant leans forward on his elbows. Here we go. "I thought you'd be a delight with Q here."

"It's all my freaking—"

"Who wants salad?" Quinton interjects, and Brynn glares at him.

Heads whip at Q's random outburst, and Brynn slinks in her chair, her cheeks reddening. Something is off with those two.

Once the salad is passed around, everyone helps themselves to the Italian dishes spread around the table.

"Oh my gosh, this lasagna is amazing," Bret moans around a mouthful.

"Thank you," Chloe says, her smile warming her face. Over the last year, I've learned that Chloe loves to feed people. Call it her love language, but she exudes joy when she sees people enjoying the dishes she prepares.

Bret angles her shoulder toward Chloe. "Seriously, if you guys ever need any help preparing dinners—"

"Please don't ask her." Harris cuts off her words.

Bret's perfect mouth flies open as her eyes widen. "That was so harsh."

"Harsh was you trying to kill us." The mouthful of food muffles Harris's words.

"Dude, you didn't let her cook?" Grant shakes his head.

Harris raises his hands. "I didn't know."

"It wasn't that bad," I add.

Harris scoffs. "It wasn't that bad? Dude, the ocean has less salt than that asparagus."

"Hey, assholes, I'm sitting right here." Bret crosses her arms across her chest and purses her lips.

"I know," Harris says, flinging his arm around her shoulders, which has my blood tingling. "Which is why I'm letting the girls know that if they ever need help in the kitchen, maybe you bring something premade."

"Or cups and ice," JP adds.

We all let out a chuckle on Bret's behalf, but the taken aback mixed with the offended face she makes is priceless.

"Grant, you're my big brother. You're supposed to defend my honor."

"Not on that one. Cooking is not your thing. I feel sorry for the man who marries you." He takes a bite of his lasagna as Bret's eyes find mine. Her cheeks take on a pretty pink hue as she blushes slightly. Does she feel the way I do?

Brynn comes to Bret's defense as she points her fork at Harris. "All right, leave my girl alone before she decides she never wants to hang out with us again."

"Nah, she's stuck with us now." JP nudges her shoulder from where he's sitting next to her.

As much as I miss home in Silo Bay, these family dinners make the homesickness not as severe. The way we all can bust jokes at the expense of others and have the evening feel like a real familial bond makes everything worth it. Bret fits in like she's always been a part of our CTU family. These dinners feel like a family reunion when your favorite cousins surround you. The ones who make the large events worth it with their jokes, but at the end of the day, you know they'll always have your back.

"Okay, now that we know that you are to stay away from the kitchen," Brynn muses as she cuddles into Quinton's side. "Tell us more about you."

Bret rocks in her chair. An uneasiness settles over her as attention is once again returned to her. "Is this like speed dating?"

"Oh, that could be fun." Brynn sits up higher in her seat. "What's your major? Your hobbies? Favorite music? Movie? How many piercings do you have? I totally noticed the nips, and you go, girl."

Grant groans, rolling his eyes as he sips from his Coke.

"She's pretty much the girl version of Grant. That is why she was easily accepted as our new roommate. Boy, were we fooled." Harris's tone is dry.

Bret shrugs. "Once again, it was your fault for not having a gender box."

"I didn't think a girl would want to live with three guys."

"Oh my gosh!" Chloe is practically vibrating from her seat. "Do you have some like reverse harem fantasy? "

Coughing sounds around the table, as I'm pretty sure each one of us guys just choked on whatever we were ingesting. Brynn's laugh fills the air as it's swept up in the late summer Texas breeze while Bret's cheeks flame red.

"I swear to god, you better not answer that question," Grant mumbles from where he's still cleaning up the Coke he spewed across the table.

"I haven't given it much thought, but never say never."

"Addy!" Grant's voice is harsh. Meanwhile, Brynn gives a, "Thatta girl!"

And I'm over here avoiding looking at the girl who just confessed she'd never say never to a threesome. Or more. What the hell is happening?

"Hey! Sorry we're late," a voice comes from the patio, and everyone's attention moves away from the topic of discussion. Thank God for the interruption, or I'd be passing out from all the blood rushing from my head to my dick.

Gregg and Macy step out of the townhouse with their dog, Boone, at their feet. Macy used to live here with Brynn and Chloe, but after her boyfriend, Gregg, had a stroke last fall, she moved in to help with his recovery. It was a whole ordeal with drama between the girls, but they eventually sorted things out. Boone takes off running across the yard before sniffing around the table, looking for any scraps. He's a small brown and white Cavalier King Charles Gregg gave Macy as a Christmas present.

"Hey, guys!" Brynn stands and hugs Macy before turning to Gregg. "You have to meet Bret. She's Grant's sister and the guys' new roommate."

Macy's gaze flits over the table as she looks for the newest group member. "Oh my gosh, you're gorgeous! "

"Uh, thanks," Bret shies away from the compliment.

Macy chuckles. "I'm Macy, and this is my boyfriend Gregg."

"Nice to meet you both."

Boone jumps up and places his front paws on Bret's lap. "Oh, sorry about him. That's Boone."

"Hi, Boone," Bret greets the pup, scratching behind his ears.

"Grab some food," Chloe instructs, gesturing to the table with plenty of food. I swear Chloe thought the whole team was coming.

Macy and Gregg walk around the table and begin filling their plates. "Before I forget, there are two cheesecakes in the fridge, and each group has a plastic container of sugar cookies I baked. They have red and blue sprinkles in them."

"Hell yeah." Drool practically slides out of Harris's mouth.

Conversation soon takes over the table. Hours seem to pass as the late summer Texas sky morphs into shades of orange and pink.

The start of a new school year is here.

And I'm determined to make it the best.