Page 93 of #Bossholes

“Oh yes, the new fancy apartment that’s right below theirs.”

I groan again, this time throwing my head back and putting in more theatrics. “I regret telling you about that. It’s only temporary. Once Colin recovers from surgery, we’ll be moving out.”

June laughs and places a light hand on my shoulder. “Bless your heart. Remember when I thought living with Ryan was only going to be temporary until my apartment was fixed?”

“That’s different.” I bristle, shaking her off me. “I’m not living with them. And…”

I’m about to tell her we don’t have the kind of connection she has with Ryan, but I’m not sure that’s true. So I shut my mouth and do a swift turn, heading down to the bookstore.

June lets me get mostly down the stairs before she calls out. “Yeah, looks super temporary.”

But it has to be. That was the agreement, and it’s not one I intend to take back.

Besides, if this thing with them progresses, it’s not like we can all live there. The bed isn’t big enough.

Hell, neither is the closet.

FORTY-SEVEN

Maverick

“Have you been avoiding us?”I push my way into her apartment as soon as she opens the door, blocking the entire entryway with my frame. Let her try to push me back out in the hall. Two days ago I’d say that wouldn’t even be a possibility, but after nothing but radio silence from her for the past day and a half, I wouldn’t put it past her.

If she wants me gone, she’s going to have to physically remove me.

Newsflash—I’m bigger and stronger.

She can try, but she’s not going to get very far, and I need some answers. This girl has me twisted up in all kinds of knots, and I’m not sure if she knows we’re here for the long haul, but she will when I’m done here today.

I get why she was out, but I don’t like not seeing her in the office, and I especially don’t like the lack of communication on her end. Brantley and Wyatt feel the same. The only reason they’re not here, barging their way into her place, is because they had to work late.

Kinsley refuses to make eye contact with me. She hasn’t looked directly at me since she opened the door, and it pisses meoff a little. She’s staring at the floor, tugging at the bottom of a V-neck bookish T-shirt that does wonders for her tits. But I will not let them distract me from my mission. Not yet anyway. She’s nervous, and I get the feeling she’s about to lie to me.

“I’ve been busy.”

Bullshit. A pretty little lie from her pretty little mouth.

She can’t lie worth a shit.

I don’t know why she bothers.

While she had a few things going on today, she didn’t have to worry about work. James and one of the secretaries from her old floor covered for her while she was out. She had two—only two—appointments with her little brother today, and there’s no way that took all day. Even if it did, half that time would be spent in waiting rooms where, I don’t know, she could have picked up her damn phone and fired off a text or two.

I’d have taken a phone call too. Unless I’m in court, she’d always be able to reach me.

But nothing.

Radio silence.

Now I know how Brantley feels, going around hating everything. And I’m sure as hell not going to take her bullshit excuses. So, I plant my feet in her doorway, cross my arms, and peer down at her.

She still won’t look up at me, and I’ve got half a mind to spank her ass right now for ignoring me all day. I don’t know what’s happening with her, but she’s shutting us out. I’m not sure if it has to do with all the mistakes she’s made at work or if it’s something to do with us. Either way, it’s unacceptable.

I hold onto the top of the door frame and lean directly into her space. “Too busy to take a few seconds and text me back, huh?” And this is where I lay it on a little thick. I don’t like it either, but I need more than a few words and grunts. I get enough of that from Brantley. “We wanted to make sureeverything went okay with Colin’s appointments today. We were all worried about the two of you and wanted to make sure surgery was still a go. If Colin had any issues, I’ve got some friends in high places.”

“You have friends?” Her cheeks redden and finally, fucking finally, she meets my eyes. “I’m sorry. It’s been a lot lately, and after this week I wasn’t sure you guys still wanted to talk to me.”

This has me taking a step back. Not physically because I refuse to budge, but mentally.

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