Four Real

Ryder takes two steps back in the direction of my apartment but stops and turns, looking at me. “You coming, Bianca?”

I frown at him and am about to argue when Dave steps around me and continues down the stairs. “Maybe I’ll see you around,” he says as he passes, his arms bent at the elbows, hands up in front of his chest in an easygoing gesture of surrender.

I glare up at Ryder, so surprised by the situation, because I don’t think I’ve ever been mad at him before. “What’s wrong with you?” I hiss.

Seeing that Dave has moved on, Ryder turns and continues to my unit. I follow him in long strides.

He still hasn’t answered me when we get inside so I repeat my question loudly. “What’s the matter with you?” Alarmed, Cade looks up from his work on the bed frame.

“Nothing’s the matter with me,” Ryder says through clenched teeth as he kneels down to help his brother.

“Did you get the screwdriver?” Cade asks him.

Ryder stands back up abruptly. “No, dammit. I didn’t make it down to the truck because some asshole was bothering Bianca.”

“What? He wasn’t bothering me.”

“He was blocking your path while you stood there holding a heavy box.”

Cade stands now, too, frowning.

“We were talking,” I say, drawing out my words, impatient and irritated. “I’ve been going on dates with you and your brothers so that I can learn to be more comfortable around men. Now, I was talking to a man and you chased him off.”

“He’s an asshole, Bianca. You need better judgment.” Ryder storms back out the door, letting it slam shut behind him.

“What the hell?” I mutter. I’m angry, but self-doubt is starting to creep in. It’s true that Dave wasn’t exactly being considerate when I was standing there holding a box, but maybe he didn’t realize how heavy it was. It’s not as if he was being pushy or aggressive.

“The guy should have helped you, B,” Cade says, as if reading my thoughts.

I wait until Ryder returns with the tool they need, and then I leave to get another box from my car. I’m relieved not to see Dave again – I’ll be embarrassed the next time I do.

When Cade and Ryder finish assembling the bed, they help me with the rest of the boxes. None of us speak much.

When everything is unloaded, the two men stand near my door, looking around the space, which now seems even smaller with my furniture in place.

“Is everything where you want it?” Cade asks. “Want us to rearrange anything before we go?”

“It’s good. Thanks again for your help.” My voice is flat as I say goodbye to them. I was so excited earlier, and then so angry. Now I’m just numb.

20

Exclusive

Two hours later, I’m unpacking and still in a grim mood when I get a text from my sister.

Lacy: Mind if we stop by?

Me: We?

Lacy: The guys are with me. I want to see your new place and we have something to drop off.

I tidy up the best I can, pushing unpacked boxes together and breaking down the empty ones. Not ten minutes later, there’s a knock on the door.

“Hi, B! This is so exciting.” Lacy bounds in, giving me a quick hug before looking around.

Four men – my sister’s men – are behind her, two of them carrying a very large, narrow box wrapped with white paper and a bow. I step back and gesture for them to enter. Nathan and Landon give me quick, one-armed hugs. Ash and Derek carry in the box, but continue to hold it, looking to Lacy for instructions.

“What’s this?” I ask.

“Just something for your new place,” Lacy says. “It was the guys’ idea, actually.”

I look around at their grinning faces. “Open it,” Nathan says.

I tear a corner of the wrapping paper and reveal the logo from an electronics company. Another rip confirms my first thought – it’s a TV. A big one. “I … I can’t accept this from you.” Shaking my head, I look around at all of them.

Lacy glances over, but she’s busy inspecting my place, looking in the closet, opening the empty refrigerator.

“What do you mean?” Derek says. “We’re essentially your brothers-in-law – except for the actual in law part.”

“And you’re going to be our baby’s aunt,” Landon adds, “so I think we have a right to give you a housewarming gift.”

The men do look happier than I’ve ever seen them. Lacy said they were over the moon excited about her pregnancy, and they’ve been waiting on her hand and foot, even though she’s only barely started showing.

My sister comes to stand beside me, draping a hand over my shoulder. “Take it, B. They can be very persistent.”

I open my mouth to say something, close it, and then start again. “Thank you. Thank you all very much. This will be much better than watching things on my laptop.”