Page 48 of Comeback
And I think I might be her first victim.
“You smell nice,” she says, those red lips parting with a grin.
“Thanks,” I say, the word coming out gruff. I clear my throat. “I didn’t know you were coming too.”
She walks farther into the kitchen. Her perfume or shampoo, something fruity, hits my nostrils. She smells nice too, but I don’t say that. My gaze travels over her, taking in every detail. A gold bracelet wraps around her right wrist. A tiny charm dangles from it, too small for me to make out.
“Brogan didn’t leave me any choice. He said parties at Slade’s house were life-changing.” She shoots a glance at her brother.
My brows inch up and a rough chuckle escapes. “I don’t know if I’d go that far.”
Wild, over the top, fun. All out madness. But maybe not life-changing.
“Don’t let his blasé attitude dim your excitement,” Brogan says, then he smirks. “And the cologne is good. Maybe you’ll bring back a nice, young woman who can cheer you up. You’re awfully broody lately. Turning into Knox right before my eyes.”
I scoff. I have never been compared to Knox. My brother is sullen and moody or at least that’s how he was before he met his fiancée, Avery.
But Brogan’s not wrong that I’ve been a little on edge. It turns out it was a lot easier to function when Sabrina was the enemy. The more time I spend with her, the more I seem to forget that she’s my best friend’s little sister. He’s turned his life upside down just to get to know her. I doubt he’d be thrilled to know I’ve spent most of the last week fantasizing what she looks like naked.
If I’m broody it’s because I’m in blue ball hell.
“It’s true. When’s the last time you hooked up?”
I clear my throat and glance at Sabrina, blatantly ignoring Brogan’s question. “Are you sure you know what you’re getting yourself into?”
“Oh, I’m not bothered. I could use some life-changing excitement.”
Brogan’s brows lift. “Not sure how I feel about that, little sister.”
She laughs, the sound too quiet for me to hear, but the way it lights up her face does something to my stomach. That and the thought of her hooking up at a Slade party. More than one of my teammates, (honestly, probably all of them) would be happy to be the one to help her out with that.
We ride over to Slade’s together. Brogan drives and I end up in the back seat with Sabrina. I’m starting to understand her quirks and tells, and right now she might be nervous.
I watch her as we pull up the long driveway. Her lips part as she stares out the window, taking in the big house lit up onthe mountainside. It’s quite a sight even for me and I’ve seen it dozens of times. It’s the kind of house that screams opulence and extravagance and, above all, fun.
Brogan is beside himself, giddy about the party and Sabrina tagging along. It hits me again how much he wants to have a close relationship with her. He wants to know her, share experiences and plan for a future that includes her in his life. I want him to have that too. Which is why I decide to let go of the past and my anger at her for running off all those months ago and then coming back like nothing happened.
Most of it was already gone anyway. Since she moved in, she hasn’t done anything to warrant my suspicion. The more I get to know her, the better I can see her beyond Brogan and the pain she caused him.
Basically, I’m choosing to believe she means well. If she’s playing a long con, then I guess I’ll just have to be as surprised as anyone else.
We’re greeted by Tripp and Merrick as soon as we step into the kitchen.
“Me and you.” Tripp points a finger at Brogan. “I need redemption at flip cup.”
“Don’t make me embarrass you so early in the night.” One side of Brogan’s mouth quirks up and he slings an arm across London’s shoulders.
Tripp scoffs. “You had some sort of drunk super focus last time. I want to play while you’re still sober.”
“All right, if you want to start the night off with a beating, that’s on you.” Brogan flicks his gaze to me and Sabrina.
“Are you cool to stay with Arch for a bit?” he asks her.
“Sure,” she chirps up immediately. She’s clutching a bottle of red wine in her hands because she refused to show up empty-handed.
They depart, taking the chaos with them and leaving us standing around looking at each other.
“You don’t have to babysit me,” she says and signs.
