“Stop,” she says, getting watery eyes. “You’re making me get all emotional.”
“Sorry,” I grumble. “I just want you to be happy like I am and I know that Rivers has been an ass, but I still believe you guys will find a way to make it work.”
“I’m not so sure,” she tells me. “I think it’s run its course.”
I let out a sigh, hating that she’s hurting so much right now. Maybe I should just let her explore her options with Rocko. After all, she knows all the rumors just as I do, yet out of the both of us, she’s the only one who had a proper conversation with the guy. Maybe I do have him wrong. Maybe he is an alright guy.
Either way, I have a feeling we’re about to find out.
I reach for a pizza as the door practically flies off its hinges before two huge guys barge their way through the living room as though they own the place. Noah slams the door shut behind them before inhaling the heavenly aroma of pizza on the coffee table and fist pumping the sky. “Yes,” he cheers, looking right into my soul. “It’s like you read my fucking mind.”
I roll my eyes as Rivers practically barges his way past me and drop downs in front of Tully. “What’s wrong?” he demands, taking in her watery eyes and making Noah more alert than ever.
Tully brings up her foot and places it on Rivers’ shoulder before pushing him away from her. “Nothing,” she grumbles, glancing away and refusing to meet his eyes. “Just choked on my food is all.”
Rivers narrows his eyes on her for a moment before glancing to me, hoping he’ll find some answers within my eyes, but not today. I’m a closed book and in this situation, I’m with Tully. I know they’re both hurting over this, but Tully is the one who needs me more.
Noah cuts the tension in the room as he storms in front of me and scoops up a slice of pizza before taking another. He puts one upside down, on top of the other like a pizza sandwich before hoisting me up off the couch. He takes my seat, dropping down beside his sister with me on his lap and takes the biggest bite of pizza I’ve ever seen. I mean, how was that even possible?
I lean into his chest and he curls his arm around me. “How was your night?” I ask with sarcasm. “Did you enjoy being a drug mule or were you kept busy stealing a car?”
“Neither,” he grins. “Collecting a debt.”
Tully scoffs. “Is that why Rivers’ knuckles are bloodied?”
Noah shrugs his shoulders. “The guy wouldn’t pay up and I don’t want to be the sorry bastard who has to go back and tell Anton that we didn’t come through.”
“And did you, come through, I mean?”
“Don’t I always come through?” he murmurs before pressing his lips to my neck.
I can’t help but smile as a moan slips from my lips. “Yeah, you do.”
“Damn straight, Spitfire.”
Tully leans forward and takes a sip of her soda as her eyes worriedly rake over Rivers’ hand once again, hating seeing him in any sort of pain. She looks to her brother. “So, how come he had to be the one to do the damage? What’s wrong with fucking up your knuckles?”
Rivers scoffs as a smile crosses his lips but it’s Noah who speaks up. “Because I lost the fucking bet.”
“Wait, what? You make that sound like a bad thing,” I say.
“Come on, Spitfire,” Noah grins. “Don’t act like you don’t know how good it feels to nail some dickhead in the jaw.”
Tully nods her head, completely in agreeance with her brother while I let out a sigh. “Yeah, ok. You’ve made your point.”
“Good,” he says, pulling me in a little tighter. “Now, what have you guys been doing all afternoon?”
Tully’s eyes flare open as I quickly cover for the two of us. I mean, they really don’t need to know what we’ve just spent the afternoon discussing. “Nothing,” I tell him. “Just chilling.”
“No,” Aria yells out, flying to her feet and staring angrily at me as she looks away from the TV for the first time in over an hour. “Don’t lie. That was a lie.”
“What?” I demand with wide eyes as Noah’s hand flinches on my waist.
“What’s she talking about?”
“Nothing,” I say.
“No,” Aria demands, stomping her little foot on the ground. “You were fighting with Tully. You yelled at her.”
Noah grumbles beside me, sitting up a little straighter to see Aria better as Rivers just looks on in confusion. “What are you talking about, Ari?”
Aria looks at Noah. “Henley was yelling at Tully and told her she can’t play with the boy next door.”
Shit.
“Rocko?” Rivers grunts.
Aria nods her little head as Tully’s world comes crumbling down. I reach out and squeeze her hand. “Sorry,” I tell her. “I tried.”