Page 25 of Saints & Sinners

“Jerry?” Silas asked as if I would even know.

“Jerry?” I practically shrieked. “Since when do you own a tarantula?”

“Since always.” He shrugged. “Don’t worry, she’s completely harmless. She actually has a thing for the ladies, so I’m not surprised she decided to go into your room.”

I blinked at him.

God, I really hated the male species.

Hunter was still standing there, his lips twitching with the necessity to laugh at me. When I whipped my head back to face Silas, I could see the grin growing wider as he and Hunter shared a look that told me they had done it all on purpose.

“I’ll go grab her,” Silas said. “She’s probably already missing me. Tarantulas are sensitive creatures, you know.” He sauntered off to get his precious pet while I shot one final glare at Hunter. He was smirking at me, and I could practically feel the amusement radiating off him.

“You should learn not to accuse people so easily of something they didn’t do.” His voice dripped with sarcasm. “Not very virtuous of you.”

I scowled at him, pivoted on my heel, and raised my middle finger in the air for him to see.

As I stormed toward the living room, I made a mental note to check every corner of my room from now on.

“Who calls a tarantula Jerry?” I muttered to myself, still in disbelief.

“Silas calls all his pet animals Jerry,” Brandon’s voice floated over from behind me.

I spun around to where he was leaning against the kitchen counter and narrowed my eyes. “Really?”

“Yeah, I think it’s because he’s too lazy to come up with anything else.”

I crossed my arms, still annoyed, but couldn’t help the slight grin peeling at my lips over the ridiculousness of it all.

“If it helps.” Brandon nibbled on his lip piercing, his tone softening. “I don’t think it’s so bad that you’re here.”

I let out a short laugh, but there was no humor behind it. “Yeah, well, according to your friend, I’m going to regret it.”

Brandon’s expression tightened slightly. “Cain’s just...complicated.”

I snorted. “That’s what everyone says when they’re trying to defend their friends’ actions.”

“I wish that was the case,” he muttered, leaving us in a void of silence.

I cleared my throat and started making my way toward my room, thinking there was nothing left to say.

“Word of advice?” he said, and I looked back at him. His eyes flickered toward the hallway where all the boys’ rooms were. “Play his game. He’s always one for a challenge.”

I stood there, taken aback by his words. Unsure of how to respond, I gave him a slow nod. “I’ll keep that in mind... thanks.”

He offered me a small, genuine smile, then casually grabbed his mug from the counter before heading down the hallway and leaving me there to brainstorm ideas.

Chapter Thirteen

I woke up to muffled voices outside my door, punctuated by Silas’s loud, exaggerated groan. Pulling the pillow over my head, I rolled over, but it did nothing to block out the noise.

“It’s been an hour!” Silas’s voice echoed down the hall, his tone bordering on whining. “Anhour, man!”

I sat up, ran a hand through my hair and debated whether it was worth getting involved. Something told me I shouldn’t, but it was too late as I swung my legs off the bed and dragged myself to the door. As soon as I stepped into the hallway, I saw Silas pacing in front of the bathroom while Brandon stood nearby, leaning against the wall with an amused grin.

“She’s not coming out,” Silas continued and paused by the door to the bathroom. “Come on, Grace! I need to piss badly!”

“What’s going on?” I asked, my voice still rough with sleep.

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