though getting caught means we’d go to jail rather than just be outed by one of my brothers.
“Cade!” Fisher screams.
“Give me a second,” I say to Presley, trying to keep my frustration in check.
She scrambles off my lap to grab her clothes.
If I had to trust any brother with my secret, it would be Fisher, but since I don’t think Presley has ever met him, it’s probably not a good time. I lower the volume on my television, unlock the door, and slide out.
Fisher’s standing in the hallway, and he turns on the hallway light as though he’s about to interrogate me.
“What?”
“Who’s in there?” he asks and crosses his arms.
“None of your business.”
“Whatever. I don’t give two shits who you fuck. But we have a problem.”
“What is it?”
“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye plays from Adam’s room.
“What the hell is that?” Fisher asks.
“I have no idea. It’s been Motown all night.”
“And let me guess, it got you and your lady friend all horny?”
“Lady friend? Has all that ink from Smokin’ Guns finally poisoned your brain?”
Most of us have tattoos, but Fisher’s taken it to another level. I’m not saying they aren’t cool. Liam at Smokin’ Guns in Lake Starlight does a bang-up job, but when you look at Fisher’s upper body, you’d never guess the guy was the sheriff of Sunrise Bay.
Fisher waves me off. “The lights above the garage are on, so I went up there to investigate. I think we have a squatter.”
“Yeah, I know who the squatter is. It’s fine.” I turn and put my hand on the doorknob to go back into my room.
“Well, she has sexy lingerie.”
I spin back around. “You searched her belongings?” I ask a little too loudly.
I hear Presley screech through the door.
“I’m a sheriff. I’m not gonna just run down the stairs scared. I investigate shit.”
I shake my head. “Well, no worries, dad’s letting someone stay there temporarily.”
“Who?” he asks, widening his stance and recrossing his arms.
“None of your business.”
“I’m gonna find out,” he says. “Just tell me.”
My door opens and Presley steps out next to me. “Hi. I’m the squatter. And I really hope you aren’t one of those guys who likes to wear women’s panties.”
Fisher looks her up and down. “Story girl?”
“If you’re asking if I’m the woman who’s opening The Story Shop? Yes, that’s me.”
“This is my brother, Fisher. Sheriff Greene if you want to be formal, which none of us ever are,” I introduce the two. “Fisher, this is Presley Knight.”
They shake hands.
“Nice to meet you,” she says.
He takes in the two of us next to each other. I’m sure Presley’s messy hair and both of our swollen lips are dead giveaways as to what we were doing.
“I should get back and clean up.” She ducks around us.
“No worries,” he says and she stops at the top of the stairs. When she doesn’t respond, Fisher finishes. “I don’t wear women’s panties unless it’s her kink.” He winks and she laughs, then heads down the stairs.
After we hear the back door close, my gaze falls to Fisher. “This is a secret. No telling anyone. Especially Jed.”
He holds up his hands. “That’s your business. She’s cute though. Might want to make sure she’s satisfied before another Greene slides his way in there.”
I know he’s egging me on, but still. “You might be the sheriff, but I’m the oldest.”
“That doesn’t hold weight anymore, old man,” he says, but I’m already walking down the steps.
So much for us keeping this between us. Five minutes in and one of my brothers already knows.
When I reach the apartment, Presley is already in the bathroom, scrubbing it down. Instead of bothering her, I use the duster in the corners, sweep the floor, and move the boxes to the unfinished part on the other side of the garage. Since she’s still in the bathroom when I finish all that, I put some sheets on the bed and head back inside to grab an extra pillow, blanket, and towels. I don’t really want to give her the ones we use when our drunk friends spend the night, so I give her mine. I’ll use the designated drunk blanket and pillow tonight. Since Marla stocks our toiletries because of her coupon obsession, I pull shampoo, conditioner, and soap out of our closet.
I somehow get all this accomplished before she’s done in the bathroom, so I poke my head in there. “All good now.”
She stops and walks out into the main room and looks around. “You