Page 17 of Friends with Benefits

I lean my head back and roll my eyes. ‘Ah, remind me why I’m spending a week with you?’

‘Because you love me and because I’m saving your arse.’

6

JAKE

The sun is starting to set as we pull up to my brother’s new place. When I go to pay the driver, he tells me Drew has already settled the fare. He’s always doing stuff like that. His old habit of never letting me pay my way will die hard.

I help the driver unload our luggage and then stand beside Jess on the quiet street, staring at the enormous white house in front of us.

‘Is your brother royalty or something?’ Jess asks.

‘Yes. And I’m a prince.’

She glances to me. ‘Now I know you’re lying.’

There are four houses on the street, all facing the ocean. All big seaside properties. The gardens are pristine. Even the trees have been perfectly shaped. The grass is lush green.

Before I can say to Jess, Let’s head inside, the door opens and a tall brunette bounds out onto the porch. ‘Jakey!’

Sarah runs down the pathway and crashes into me, squeezing me tight. ‘You must be Jess. It’s great to meet you. Jake talks about you whenever I speak with him.’

That’s one of those statements that would be awkward if Jess were a new girlfriend and I was playing it cool. But she isn’t. And I do talk about her all the time because she’s a big part of my life.

‘Jess, meet Sarah. Sarah, Jess.’

‘I love those pants,’ Sarah tells Jess, making me roll my eyes and Jess stick out her tongue in a ner-ner-ner-ner-ner fashion.

I mouth to her, Child. And she mouths back, Cock.

‘Jake, my man!’ Brooks heads toward us in dark jeans and a white T-shirt that shows his inked arms and ripped muscles. He pulls me into a man-hug and thumps my back, then kisses Jess on the cheek. I wait for Jess to fall apart, like she has a tendency to do around ripped guys, but she gets through the meet in good shape. And, yeah, I’m comfortable enough in my own manhood to admit Brooks is like a real life, inked and more muscular, version of McSteamy from Grey’s Anatomy. All women want him and men really do want to be him.

Brooks pulls the blond – who I know is Izzy because I’ve seen her commercials for dance and fitness on TV – under his arm. ‘Guys, this is Izzy. She’s crazy and annoying as hell but you’ll come to love her.’

Izzy scowls, then laughs and gives Brooks an elbow to his ribs, which he deserves.

I lean in to kiss her cheek, then she starts practically singing something complimentary about those goddamn horrendous pants Jess is wearing. I take this as a good time to carry our luggage into the house.

Brooks helps me get everything inside when Drew calls out. As I enter, in search of his voice, I take in the bright, clean feel of the place. The light, wood floors, cream, fur rugs, white walls and nautical things hanging on the walls all scream money and beach. It’s nice with a capital N. As I look up to the high ceilings and the spiral wood staircase, I trip over my own feet, bursting forward into the kitchen.

‘Yep, that’s my kid brother. Always big on the dramatic entrance.’

‘Shut the hell up,’ I say, as I make quick strides into Drew’s arms – in a manly way, obviously. ‘How’re you doing, kid?’

‘Not as good as you,’ I say, pulling back and gesturing around the open kitchen space. ‘Look at all this. And look at that hot chick you’ve bagged,’ I say, clocking Becky as she comes toward me holding a glass of red wine. Her cheeks blush. She never can take a compliment. It’s sweet and endearing.

‘Hi, Jake,’ she says, letting me pull her into a hug. She’s the kind of woman I would think was lovely anyway, but that she makes my brother so clearly happy gives her more points than she can imagine. ‘I take it you had a hand in the décor here, Becky, because you’re the only exception to my brother’s lack of taste.’

She laughs as Drew throws a wine bottle cork at me, which I catch. The other women come into the kitchen; Sarah, Izzy and Jess already seem to be pals.

‘Becky, we’ve got ourselves another Brit,’ Izzy says, clapping her hands.

‘We’re working on a large-scale British invasion,’ Becky says, giving Jess a hug. ‘It’s nice to finally meet you in person.’

I watch the introductions for a minute, enjoying how happy Jess seems, forgetting why she’s here and just being damn pleased that she is. I love that it’s not awkward. There’s none of that feeling of introducing your girlfriend to your friends and family because it’s just Jess. Easy company. Kind, slightly nuts Jess.

‘Well, I’ll be damned,’ Drew says. ‘I thought you two were just roommates.’ I turn and come face-to-face with my brother. Brooks is standing by his side. They both have their arms folded across their chests, eyes mocking me.

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