Page 6 of Monster's Madhouse
Drifter leaned back in his chair, smirking widely. “She deserves it, though. I mean, she just drove my sister all this way. I owe her a little hospitality, don’t you think? I never thankedyou for going out of your way to bring Josie here,” he said, staring Blitz down as she took a swig of her beer.
Blitz arched a brow, her gaze flicking between them. “What’s gotten into you two?”
“Nothing,” they said at the same time, both reaching for the ketchup. Their hands collided, and neither man moved first. The plastic bottle bent between their grips, pressure mounting until Blitz reached over, snatched it, and set it down on her plate.
“Seriously?” she muttered, shaking her head.
Monster scowled but speared a burger, dropping it on her bun before she could reach for one. “Eat before it gets cold.”
Drifter wasn’t far behind, sliding the platter of hot dogs closer to her. “Or try one of these—better flavor, not burnt to shit.”
Monster’s head snapped toward him. “Nothing I cooked is burnt.”
Blitz took a bite, chewing slowly, watching them like they’d both lost their minds. Drifter caught her look and softened his grin, brushing his hand lightly against her arm as he passed her the mustard. Monster noticed, his eyes narrowing, shoulders tensing like he was seconds from snapping, but Drifter didn’t care. They had both agreed to bring their A games when it came to competing for Blitz. He couldn’t help it if he had a better game than Monster.
But Blitz broke the tension with a laugh, shaking her head. “You two are ridiculous.” They both froze, and Drifter worried that she had already figured out their game. He just hoped that neither of them had blown their chances with her. No, that wasn’t exactly the truth. He hoped that he hadn’t blown his chances with her because that would suck—big time.
“You’re not ridiculous,” Josie said, looking between the two of them, “you’re both just gross.” Drifter knew his sister hadfigured out their game, but she at least hadn’t ruined it for them—yet.
Dinner went on, the clink of silverware and soft hum of conversation, but under it all ran the steady current of rivalry. Every time Drifter leaned close to ask Blitz something, Monster cut in with his own question. Every time Monster set something on her plate, Drifter offered her something else.
Blitz might not have known it yet—but the game had already started, and who the winner would be was completely up to her.
Blitz
Blitz sat curled on Drifter’s couch, legs tucked under her, a book open but unread in her lap. The house was quiet, the hum of the fridge the only sound. Josie had gone next door to babysit for the neighbors, and Blitz had figured she’d spend the night alone, maybe with some TV and a glass of wine. The guys had asked her to come down to Monster’s Madhouse with them for the evening, but she didn’t think that was a good idea. Blitz promised to try to stop by, but that was a complete lie. She could see that they were both waging a war against the other, and apparently, she was the prize. Blitz had to admit—it was nice to be fought over for a change. It had been a long time since something like that happened to her. But she wouldn’t let Drifter and Monster spoil their friendship over her. Sooner or later, she’d be gone, and all they would have is their friendship—she hoped.
She was surprised to find that it had been so easy for her to feel at home at Drifter’s place. She was helping Josie to get settled, but more than that, she was finding herself feeling settled too—and that wouldn’t end well for her. She knew that she couldn’t stay with Josie and Drifter forever. Her life waswaiting for her back at home, and unfortunately, so was Reid. At least she was safe at Drifter’s—at least she hoped that was the case.
The front door swung open without so much as a knock. Monster’s boots hit the hardwood, heavy and unapologetic. “She better not be bailing on us,” he grunted, stomping into the living room.
Drifter followed, his grin already in place as he leaned against the doorframe. “What’d I tell you? She’s still in her sweats. Didn’t even try to get ready.”
Blitz frowned up at them, snapping her book shut. “Ready for what?” she asked, playing dumb.
“You said that you’d come down to the club,” Monster said flatly.
Blitz arched a brow, “Actually, I said that I’d try to stop by. But if you want the truth, I wasn’t planning on going.”
Drifter pushed off the doorframe, strolling closer with that lazy swagger of his, and Blitz couldn’t help but look him up and down. God, he was built for sin, and that goofy grin he wore only made her want him more. “Josie’s tied up babysitting. You’re not stuck here. And the clubhouse is lit tonight—band’s playing, and the bar’s flowing. Wouldn’t it be better than sitting here staring at the walls or pretending to read a book?” He nodded down at her book, and she looked to find that it was sitting upside down on her lap. She quickly turned it around, causing Drifter to laugh.
Monster crossed his arms, looming near the couch. “You should come out with us, not hide out here like some hermit.”
Blitz gave them both a look. “Since when do you two care if I go out?”
Drifter’s grin widened. “Since we both agreed it’s a damn shame when you’re not there. We want to hang out with you, Blitz—you know, get to know you.”
Monster grunted, not one for sweet words, but his eyes burned with the same truth as Drifter’s had. They wanted her—both of them did, but she had a feeling that once she told them she felt the same way, they’d change their minds. There was no way that Blitz was going to break up their friendship. The only way that she’d be with either of them was if she could have both of them—at the same time.
“You’re coming. End of story,” Monster ordered. He was a little harder than Drifter, and she wondered why that was. If she were a betting woman, she’d put money on him being jilted in the past by a woman, but maybe she was wrong. She found his sexy scowl that seemed to hold permanent residence on his handsome face, a complete turn-on.
Blitz shook her head, lips twitching despite herself. “You’re both ridiculous. What if I don’t feel like going out?”
“Then we’ll sit here and bug the hell out of you until you change your mind,” Drifter shot back easily, dropping onto the arm of the couch and nudging her knee with his.
Monster leaned in closer, bracing his hands on either side of her on the cushions, caging her in with sheer size. His voice dropped low, rough and certain. “You’ll feel like it once you’re there. Trust me.”
Caught between them, Blitz let out a long breath. “Fine. But only because Josie’s not around and I’d probably go crazy sitting here with you guys bugging me all night.”
