Craving Rose (The Aces' Sons 5)

“Coward,” she yelled back, laughing her ass off.

She was right. I was a coward. But I was okay with that.

I quietly opened the door and peeked outside to make sure the coast was clear, then sprinted over the deck and jumped over the stairs. My car was parked at the end of the driveway, and I fished the key out of my pocket with a grin. I would’ve hotwired it if I had to, but then I’d have to go to the garage Monday morning and ask my dad to fix the dash. I let out a huge breath of relief as I reached for the door handle, then screamed like a banshee as arms wrapped around my waist and lifted me into the air.

“You actually thought you’d get away?” Mack asked, laughing as I started kicking my legs.

“It was an accident,” I yelled, twisting and turning. He was soaked, and the few dry patches on my t-shirt were quickly becoming damp from where he pressed against me.

“You sprayed me with the kitchen sink,” he replied incredulously.

“I thought you were one of my brothers!” As soon as he set me back on my feet, I twisted and took a few steps back, watching him warily.

“Well, that’s insulting,” he said, making me laugh.

“See,” I said, stepping toward my door. “It was all a misunderstanding.”

He stepped forward and I stepped back again. “Misunderstanding or not,” he murmured, his lips twitching, “I’m still soakin’ wet.”

“And I’m very sorry for that,” I replied, nodding.

“It doesn’t feel like you’re sorry,” he said, taking another step toward me.

“I am.” I lifted my hands in front of me like I was trying to ward him off. “I really am.”

“See,” he murmured, tilting his head to the side. “I just don’t believe you.”

I screeched as he rushed me, and laughed hysterically as he threw me over his shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” I yelled through my laughter as he carried me back toward the house. “I’m really sorry!”

“Uh huh,” he grunted as I twisted and turned, trying to escape.

We rounded the corner of the house and I amped up my squirming. He was bringing me right back into the thick of things. At any moment, my brothers and cousins would catch sight of us and I’d be at their mercy.

“We can talk this out,” I said, pushing against his back as I tried to straighten. “We can be allies.”

He scoffed and wrapped his arms tighter around my thighs.

Before I could comprehend what was happening, I was being flipped back over and dropped gently into the plastic kiddie pool filled with cold, dirty water. I gasped as the water covered me from breasts to thighs, staring up at him in disbelief.

“I think we’re even now,” he said, grinning. “Allies?”

Ignoring the way his smile made my stomach explode with butterflies, I scowled at him.

“Oh,” Tommy yelled, laughing like a hyena. “Looks like the little cheater met her match!”

“You’re supposed to have my back!” I yelled, splashing water ineffectually at him. “Where’s the loyalty?”

“This is war, Rose,” he said seriously. “Every man for himself.”

“I don’t think that’s how it works,” Mack muttered with a chuckle.

I climbed out of the pool, dripping wet and pointed at him. “What did you say to me? Payback’s a bitch?” I smiled as his eyes widened. “Remember that.”

“You think you’re gonna get me in that pool?” he asked in amusement.

“I don’t have to,” I replied smugly. “I’ll remember this.”

“Ah, man,” Will said, coming up behind me with a towel. “You should probably just sit your ass down in the pool and be done with it. She’s not kidding. One time, she waited two months before getting payback. You never know when it’s going to happen, and then BAM!”

“I’ll take my chances,” Mack replied, his eyes still holding mine.

“Thanks,” I said to my brother as he handed me the towel.

“Molly thought you might need it,” he murmured with a chuckle.

After one last glare at Mack, I wrapped the towel around myself and stomped away, my shoes making a squelching noise with every step.

* * *

Later that night, I was curled up on the couch, the reality of my breakup hitting me with the force of a sledgehammer. I was alone. Again.

I wasn’t a person that needed people around me all the time, and I liked my space, but coming home to my empty apartment had felt lonely. And I didn’t handle lonely very well.

I’d gone from living with my parents to sharing a room with Lily in Connecticut while she went to Yale, so when I’d rented my apartment all by myself, the freedom had seemed pretty fucking fantastic at first. I’d stayed up all night and left lights on whenever I felt like it, and stunk up the place with takeout. But it hadn’t taken long before I realized that I didn’t like living alone.