He shot a dark look at Dax. “Anyway, I’m just down the road, and you can always stay over with me anytime.”
“Sure,” I said with obvious relief, glad he was getting on board.
Dax pushed the papers over for me to sign.
I stared down at them.
Him. Me. In a house alone.
What could possibly go wrong?
AFTER REMI AND company walked out the door with a promise they’d be back with some bedroom furniture and the rest of her things at seven, I strode back into the den and collapsed down on the recliner.
Fuck, I was certifiably insane.
In what universe could I live with Remi in the same house?
How was I going to keep my hands off her?
You will because she’s wearing his ring and he’s what she wants. He’s on her list, remember?
While Elizabeth popped outside to talk on the phone with her friend Shelley, Declan grabbed two beers from the kitchen and handed me one. “So, a new roomie? That means income. Not bad, little bro.”
I gulped a swig down, my fingers toying with the label on the bottle. “Apparently.”
“She’s got a big-arse diamond on her finger.” Declan didn’t miss much. “Hartford’s fiancée?”
I nodded.
“You think it’s wise to live with her?” His eyes studied me.
“I can keep my dick in my pants.”
He tipped his beer up. Wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Uh-huh.”
I scoffed. “What? Her? You know she’s the Queen of Plans and Getting Shit Done? Trust me, I’m not up to her standards.” I spread my hands apart. “Plus, she’s with an Omega.”
“Yep.”
“She’s a klutz too. Falls over everything. She slipped in this club and fell right in my lap. You should have seen it.”
“Really.”
I sucked down a swig. “She’s into birds—big time. Like she’s planning on getting a doctorate—weird, right?”
“Maybe.”
“And that hair. It was long and she went and chopped it all off. I mean, the red is cool, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not long enough to wrap around my hand . . .” I stopped.
“I hadn’t noticed,” Declan said dryly.
“We got matching tattoos at the Friar’s Church.”
“Okaaay.” He’d been standing but sat down across from me on the couch, and even though I wasn’t looking him in the face, I felt the weight of his stare.
“Anything else you want to tell me about her?”
I exhaled. “Her dad died a few years ago. She—she knows what it’s like to lose someone. I told her about Mum—and the dragonfly. She got it.”
“Hmmm.”
“We got fake-married.”
Declan sputtered. “Not sure what that means, but you have my full attention. Care to explain?”
“No.” I stood and paced around the room, checking the window at the front to see if they’d left yet. They had. But she’d be back. Soon. I checked my phone. In about three hours. Great. I rubbed at the half-beard on my jaw. I needed a goddamn shower, and I hadn’t shaved since London.
“You’ve fucked her before, haven’t you?” Declan’s voice came from behind me.
I sighed, still staring out the window. “Yep.”
“And London?”
I turned to face him. “I didn’t fuck her in London—wasn’t like that. She fucked me.”
Surprise crossed his face, then a slow understanding. “And now she’s with him?”
I exhaled. “They were on a break.”
He sighed, his gaze evaluating me. “Ah, dude. I bet there’s a story there. Do you want to talk about it?”
I grimaced, shoving that shit way down. “No. I want to forget it ever happened.”
He stood up from the couch and patted me on the back. “Yeah, bro, I think we’re gonna need some more beer.”
At six, Axel came over with a bottle of Patrón, several pizzas, and a couple of the fraternity little sisters. Even though classes didn’t start until Monday, sorority rush had been going on and, as usual, several of the girls had been hanging around the Tau house.
I’d dropped by a few times to check in on how rush was going, but since I wasn’t president this time around I didn’t have any pressing duties. I’d walked through the entire house, feeling a little detached. It was odd. I mean, I’d spent four years living and partying at that house. With my charm and penchant for a good time, I’d brought the girls and pledges in by the droves. I liked everyone, and ninety-nine percent of the time, it meant nothing, just a way to pass the time. I may have sucked at my GPA, but my friend list was extensive.
Yet . . .
Something in my gut said I’d moved on from the Tau shenanigans over