Wild Collision (Us 4)

“Books,” I answer.

“Books?” he repeats as we reach the landing. “Do you need so many?”

“Knowledge is power. Also, they make excellent weapons when they’re heavy enough, you might want to watch your head if you piss me off,” I say sassily and bypass him into the apartment.

My dad and Cannon are putting together a stand for the TV while Fox and Rush put the dresser together. They’ve already managed to get my bed built, two tables, and a desk. I have to say, I’m impressed. Who knew musicians could be so handy?

I set the box I’m carrying down on the counter and Hollis follows suit.

Boxes litter the entire space—labeled carefully to make unpacking easier.

Hollis and I head back outside to my dad’s Range Rover to get more boxes. All the seats are down to make room for all my stuff—it’s not like anything except one box would fit in my tiny car.

“How are you feeling about being on your own? Ready for your first night alone?” Hollis asks, pulling a box toward him. I stare at his bicep as it flexes.

“Well, I’m not going to be alone—am I?” I tease.

He grins. “Not if I have anything to say about it.” He sets the box back down in the trunk and pinches my side.

I squeal and scuttle away.

“Mia?” I sober, and Hollis’s smile falls as we turn.

“Oh, hey, Uncle Maddox.”

Maddox tips his head in Hollis’s direction. His eyes are narrowed suspiciously, but he’s easy going enough I know he won’t say anything—but he will be watching now. “How are you, Hollis?”

“Doing good,” Hollis says, his voice higher than before.

“Need some help?” Maddox asks, motioning to the boxes.

“Sure,” I reply, taking the box Hollis was going to take next and shoving it into Maddox’s waiting arms. “The apartment is up the stairs and to your right.”

“Mhmm,” he hums, looking from Hollis to me. Finally his eyes settle on Hollis. “When Hayes skins you alive for touching his daughter … you better hope you have a guardian angel on your side.”

“Uncle Maddox,” I hiss.

“It’s only a friendly warning, surely you know how your dad will react.” He shrugs. “I won’t say anything.”

He heads inside and I hang my head, groaning out loud.

“Do you think he really won’t tell?” Hollis inquires.

“He won’t say anything. Maddox is pretty chill, except when it comes to his own kids.”

“It’s not like we were even kissing. I touched you. How’d he know?”

“I don’t know,” I force out.

But I do know. When Hollis and I are alone, we both can’t help but have stars and hearts in our eyes. Those twinkles shine with the glimmer of something new and the promise of more.

Hollis looks up toward the building. “I can’t believe I’m admitting this, but your dad scares the shit out of me—forget the fact I technically work for him, he looks like he could cut me in half with one look.”

“Then don’t piss him off,” I mock, patting his chest.

“Devil woman,” he mutters.

I can’t help but crack a smile. “Hmm, has a nice ring to it. Mia ‘Devil Woman’ Hayes.”