My eyes find Della who has Heathen in her tight grip, ignoring the way the cat squirms, petting her as she watches cartoons.
I’m still frustrated and a little mad at the triplets, but Della…Della is relaxed and happy. It hurts me, cutting deep, that I had to get us kidnapped in order to give her a stress-free day.
“Can I use your iPad?” I ask Sully. “Please?”
“To reach out for help?” he counters, a brow lifted.
“No one can help me,” I snap. “I’m just bored out of my skull.”
Lies. I just need to stay on guard. Pretending doesn’t make my situation go away.
He pats the couch beside him, flashing me a cocky grin. I roll my eyes, but scoot over to him. Sparrow makes a sound of protest, but it’s cut short when we hear keys at the front door. I spring to my feet, unsure what I think I’m going to do, just that I need to do something besides sit and wait.
“I’ll get it,” I offer, a little too eagerly.
Sparrow scowls at me, obviously annoyed that I’d even offer, and saunters over to the door to do it instead. He opens it to find Scout struggling with some bags and his keys. Sparrow takes one of the food bags, stepping aside to let his brother enter. Scout’s chocolate-syrup eyes find me immediately and I warm under his gaze.
At least Scout is entertaining.
“Where’ve you been all day?” Sully asks. “I thought you went to see Ty.”
“I did,” Scout says, dropping the bags onto the table. “Then I had shit to do.”
“You reek of smoke,” I say, hands on my hips. “Did you set him on fire?”
Scout’s grin is dark and terrifying. “No, but I like how you think, prickly princess.”
I don’t reward him with a reply.
“Seriously,” Sparrow grunts. “Why do you smell like smoke?”
“I told you. I had shit to do.” Scout starts pulling containers out of bags and setting them on the table. “Any more questions?”
Since we had a late breakfast, we skipped lunch, and now I’m starving. I grab one of the noodle bowls and a silverware pack to take over to Della. Heathen makes her escape which makes Della pout.
“Eat,” I say to her, making sure she sees my mouth. Once I set it down beside her, I smile and sign, Scout got your favorite. Chicken lo mein.
Her green eyes brighten. Did he get me a fortune cookie too?
Sully, clearly watching our conversation, chucks a handful of fortune cookies my way. I attempt to catch them, but miss all five that fall to the floor. Della happily collects them all, piling them up beside her. I ruffle her hair and then go back over to the table.
All three men are already diving into their meals, but all of them are staring at me as though I’m the one pulling the strings. I pluck open the lid on one of the containers and start eating. The thought of being in control of a situation, for once in my life, is gratifying. Empowered by that thought, I ignore them.
They say they like to play games.
Well, boys, I’ll play.
“So, Sparrow and I had sex today,” I say around a mouthful of fried rice.
Sparrow curses under his breath and Sully chokes on his food for a second. Scout doesn’t react, continuing to eat as though my revelation doesn’t bother him.
“He says I’m his,” I taunt, unable to stop now that I’ve started. “Is that true, Scout?”
Poke the beast, Landry. Terrific idea.
I’m so used to tiptoeing around the monster in my life, that these guys pale in comparison.
“Ours,” Scout clarifies, his nostrils flaring.
He’s not as apathetic as he’s trying to be.
“So how does this whole sharing thing work?” I continue with a saccharine smile sent Scout’s way. “Am I completely off-limits to Sparrow while you’re gone? Or are we just sleepover buddies who cuddle? What if Sully wants a piece? If there are rules to this stupid arrangement, I’m pretty sure we broke them. Oops.”
“Why are you doing this?” Sparrow demands, hurt shining in his maple eyes.
“Why not?” I shovel more food into my mouth, ignoring their intense stares.
“Yeah,” Sully chimes in. “What are the rules, because I’m pretty pissed that all I am in this situation is the fucking babysitter?”
“No one asked you to babysit,” I snap, glowering at him. “Maybe you three can schedule in who watches Della while the other two take turns tag-teaming me.”
Sparrow shoves his container away from him. “Enough. You’re just trying to rile us up and it won’t work.”
But it will.
They’re all getting pissed. I can see it all over their matching faces. Jealousy. Possessiveness. Each of them wants me all to themselves. I’m not a fucking pie you can cut into three sections and separate equally.
“I’m done eating. Scout? Is it your turn?”
“Stop,” Sparrow growls. “I said that’s fucking enough.”