Walking out of my dorm, I’m shocked to see four intimidating men leaning against my brother’s car. Well, they might intimidate someone with the way their faces are set in stone and arms are crossed.
Not me. I know these fools are as gentle as teddy bears.
“I have to get to mediation. What are you guys even doing here?” I ask, stopping short of them.
It’s almost comical to see them. Clay is leaning on the hood, trying to look angry, but I know him better than anyone else. He’s worried.
Then you have Beckett. He is trying to mirror Clay but seems as if he’s not sure he understands why they are here. He is leaning against the passenger door.
Brett looks like he is in pain as he leans all his weight against the rear passenger door while keeping his crutch under his arm. I’m a little worried about him actually. He looks clammy.
Then there’s Wyatt. The man barely ever speaks, but right now his body language is screaming at me.
Out of all of them, he doesn’t want to be here. He is pretending to go along with the guys, but his body isn’t as closed off as the others. He doesn’t want to come off as trying to assert himself against me.
It makes him my favorite immediately.
“We need to talk,” Clay mutters.
“Well, make it quick. I have a bus to catch.” I hike my bag up on my shoulder.
“You are an adult, but you need to make sure you are making good decisions,” Clay starts.
He looks over at Beckett, who clears his throat. “We aren’t trying to tell you what to do, but the people you associate yourself with can be detrimental to your future. We just want you to think before you act.”
I roll my eyes as he looks at Brett. They rehearsed this. Any other time I would think their tag-teaming was adorable, but not today. Not when it’s aimed at me. I swear I am going to punch them all in the dick.
When Brett doesn’t talk right away, Beckett elbows him, making him groan.
“Oh, um. Cora. We love you like a sister.” He coughs, wiping his forehead with his hand. “We only want the best for you.”
I look to Wyatt when I’m sure Brett is done. He considers his words for a moment before speaking.
“These idiots think you need a talk about Kellan, but I disagree.”
The others start to protest, but he shoots them a murderous look, making them quiet down.
“As I was saying, Kellan was a dick last year, but it’s water under the bridge. I’m sure every one of us standing here has done something stupid in our past we would rather not relive, so I don’t know why we are making this a big deal. Cora is an adult, like you said. She knows what is best for her and doesn’t need us looking out for her.” He looks back to me. “With that being said, if he hurts you, I will fillet his dick like I’m butterflying a piece of chicken before dropping him into the middle of the ocean.”
He says it so deadpan that it almost frightens me. Especially when he looks at me dead in the eye then nods once.
“Morbid, dude,” Beckett mumbles.
Brett grows even paler, his hand coming to cover his crotch.
Clay is the only one who seems unaffected.
“I understand your position, Wyatt, but she’s my sister. She’s barely an adult, and I’m worried she will make a decision that will alter her life forever. It’s my job to protect her.”
I grow angry at his words.
“Protect me? For the past four years, I have lived in our house with Mom, but we both know that means I have practically lived alone. I have taken care of myself. There was no one there to make sure I came home at a decent hour or that I wasn’t out doing things I shouldn’t have been. You know I stayed out all night once. By myself, but still.No one noticed,” I seethe. “I made my own food, did my own laundry, and made sure I made it to school by myself. For four years, no one tried to tell me what was best for me. I had to figure that out for myself. Well, until you and Mom decided I needed to go to college. So I don’t need you butting into my life now, Clay.”
He looks sad for a moment, making me feel guilty.
“I know I wasn’t there. I wanted to be, Cora. I wish I had. I have regrets, but can’t you see? I don’t want you to have the regrets I have. I’m your older brother. Shouldn’t I worry about you?”
His words deflate my anger. I look at them all. The guys know me, but not really. They only know what Clay has told them about me. I haven’t spent enough time with them to get to know them truly.
