Page 25 of Love, Hate, Love

“Missy, use your own damned?—”

Adam’s voice drifted off as he stood there in front of wide-open door. I was completely naked. Not only was he there, but Benny and Elijah were standing across the room with a clear view.

I grabbed my towel from the bar as I yelled, “Shut the door, you animal.”

My words seemed to jar Adam out of the spell that had frozen him. To give him credit, he shut the door immediately.

I wasn’t exactly an exhibitionist, but I wasn’t so modest I’d be dwelling on this. Still, someone really needed to fix that lock. I wasn’t ready to give peep shows every day.

I cameout of the bathroom after my shower, and settled at the table, where everyone was already eating. Chuck, who sometimes ate while he cooked, was probably off doing the last run around the ranch that he liked to do before leaving.

I was already digging into the chili when Adam said, “Sorry for the, eh…situation.”

The small smirk didn’t ring of an authentic apology.

“Not a problem, but if you don’t knock next time the door is closed, I’m going to kick you in the balls.” My tough words didn’t have the effect I’d hoped for, as he sat there still smirking to himself.

“Stop looking at her like you saw her naked,” Benny said, glaring at Adam.

“It’s hard because I have,” Adam said, smiling at Benny, who was significantly smaller.

“You’re so gross,” Missy said, glaring at him too.

“Hey, let’s not make this bigger than it is,” Elijah said. He looked across the table at me, his cheeks getting a touch red. “Sorry if I accidentally caught a glance, too. Wasn’t intended.”

“Not a problem.” At least his apology had a spark of truth.

“Why’s it not a problem to flash him?” Adam asked, staring at me.

“Because he didn’t stand there and drool, you loser,” Missy said, answering for me. It was a pretty accurate call on her part.

“Shut the fuck up, you charity case,” Adam said.

“Don’t talk to her like that. Who do you think you are?” I said, his words finally igniting my temper.

“You’re way out of line, Adam,” Elijah said at the same time.

Missy was got to her feet and leaned over the table, trying to poke Adam in the chest as she said, “You fucking bastard. You don’t know a horse from an ass. You want to talk charity? Your paycheck might as well be a donation check to the needy.”

Seeing as Missy clearly didn’t need me to defend her, I grabbed her and the chili bowls and said, “I think we should go eat over at my place.”

Elijah, who was physically blocking Missy with his body, nodded. “Yeah, that’s a good idea.”

Adam just stood there looking at her with a smile.

“Missy, come on,” I said, bumping her with my arm, since my hands were full.

She hesitated for a few more seconds, while Elijah jerked his head toward the door, before she finally relented, following me.

“I hate that fucker,” she said as she took her bowl from me and settled into my one chair.

I settled cross-legged on the bed. “He really is unpleasant.”

She glanced around, the haze of rage she’d been in seeming to lift. “Why didn’t we go back to my place?”

“Because I was trying to just get you out of there before you punched a guy who is twice your size and would probably punch you back.”

She tilted her head. “Sometimes I get a little mad and seem to lose perspective of what I can do.” She shrugged and then giggled.

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