“Another one!” The door slams shut behind her.
I’m left staring at the door until Dylan clears his throat. “What the hell is wrong with her?”
I sigh. “She’s pissed at me and until she accepts what I want, then it’s always going to be between us.”
“Stop talking around the subject. I know about you and Alexander, and I’m not going to judge even though it feels a bit weird.”
My eyes snap to his as he continues, “I’ve known you both since I was born, and I mean that I know you, and our cousin. I’ll get used to it, and so will the others. Paige will come around eventually, although I’m not sure why she’s being so difficult about this.” He rubs a hand over his face. “I know she can be a pain in the butt once she gets onto something, but this is different.”
“Enough about me, what’s the favor you needed to ask me?” He lets me go back to our original conversation much to my relief.
“Madison is taking a commission—”
“That’s amazing.”
“—from Derek Jackson,” Dylan mumbles.
My eyes widen. “Oh!”
“Exactly.”
Frowning, I ask, “I don’t understand what the favor is though? I mean we all saw the attraction between the two of them.”
“Jeez, Rachel! He’s old for heavens sake.” Dylan rolls to his back and stares blankly at the ceiling.
Moving closer, I rest my head on his shoulder and snuggle up against him. Out of all my cousins, Dylan and Jaxon are whom I’d consider more as brothers. Because we’re the same age, we spent the most time together.
“Derek is only a couple of years older than Garrett, you know this right?”
“She’s my sister.”
“Then ask Michael or Joshua how they handled their sister being with a much older man.”
He turns his head and looks as though a light bulb has gone off in his head. “I hadn’t thought of that.”
Sitting up, I turn and tell him, “I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that Michael and Joshua accepted their sister’s relationship because it’s obvious how much Garrett loves her.” I smile. “Sirena is just as strong willed as Madison. I actually don’t think Derek has a chance now that Madison has fallen in love with him.”
“Oh God, don’t say that.” Dylan rolls to his feet and holds his handout before he glances at the door then back to me. “Paige invited Brad and Seth.”
I nod. “I heard their voices when you all arrived.”
“I hate that she’s leading him on by using me. I don’t know how to stop it.”
He shakes his head with his hand on the doorknob. “I’ll talk to him later and tell him you’re taken, and your twin has a problem with that.” He kisses the top of my head. “Don’t worry, Rachel. Everything will work out in the end.”
He opens the door, but I tug on his arm. “I still don’t know the favor.”
“I forgot.” He chuckles and puts his mouth against my ear. “Will you talk to Madison and make sure she really is okay?” He winces. “It might be easier her talking to another girl.”
I pause for a minute then I wrap my arms around his neck and hold him tight. “You’re a big softy, Dylan McKenzie, and I love you.” I kiss his cheek and smile as I greet the others.
“I want one of them,” Jaxon pipes up and before I know it, he has me in his arms and off my feet, followed by a sloppy, noisy kiss to my cheek.
“You’re gross.” He pretends to sulk as I push him away. “But, I love you anyway.” I grin. “Happy now?”
“I am.” He drops to his usual chair at the table we use when there are a few of us to eat. Unless of course it’s pizza, then we spread out over the living room.
“Brad came to see you, Rachel,” Paige announces.