RILEY
Riley was up bright and early Friday, excited and anxious for the day. She couldn’t wait to finally get the cat she had wanted for years. She would need to ask Andrew about one more stop at the small pet store for supplies as well. She was pumped. She would get a car in February, she told herself, if the cat was affordable enough. One thing at a time. She didn’t really need that car, she liked walking. She ran to get exercise anyways and loved it so walking was fine.
She looked over her outfit one last time. It had to be casual, this was just her boss giving her a helping hand since he was a nice guy. That’s all, she couldn’t dress up, it was not a date. A Halestorm tee (her favorite band), black skinny jeans, black steel toed boots and a thick black coat. Maybe she needed to dress in more color or he would think she had some problems. No, she shook her head, why would she care what he thought about her casual clothing? She did well at work and that was all he needed from her.
But he was very sexy.
She watched the sun blaze down on the snow, none of it having melted since the storm. It was just too cold and that was Colorado every winter. It was just like Montana and she still wasn’t used to it. She grew up in Washington near the coast. Snow there lasted two days on the ground maximum and one was lucky to get six inches of it. She snort at the thought. Lucky to get six inches, awful. She bet Andrew had more then six inches… She was a pervert and she knew it.
Andrew: Almost there :)
Was he really texting and driving? She looked down at her phone, frowning as he drove up. She had been thinking of replying but then he was suddenly in front of her. He was texting and driving. Fool. Even she knew that was a bad idea.
“Hey, need a ride baby?” A male voice rang out. Harsh and cold like the snowstorm just earlier in the week. It was deep and rugged too with an accent that sounded city-based. Her head snapped up.
It was the blue-eyed guy with the black wild punk hair and the leather. She stared at him in the passenger’s side of the SUV(not Andrew’s truck) and swallowed visibly. She slowly looked around him, to a sheepish looking Andrew.
“Who’s this and what happened to keeping my secret, Andrew?” She asked loudly.
The guy got out of the SUV and looked her up and down. She watched his nostrils flare a little as if he was sniffing something. Fucking weird? Andrew chuckled at his… friend and her.
“Get in and I’ll tell you,” he made it sound like a dare. She edged around the huge guy with cold eyes and a colder voice and jumped into the passenger side of the front seat. She didn’t ride in the back. She wasn’t that type of girl. Big guy did though, accepting his fate at backseat bitch to her. She didn’t even need to call shotgun.
“Zachary Woods,” he told her, leaning forward to say it in her ear. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Riley Stern.” Suddenly, there was nothing cold about his voice. No, it was incredibly hot.
“I certainly hope you haven’t actually,” she responded tightly. “You brought someone with you, Andrew?” She turned to her boss, glaring. He was trying hard to keep a straight face.
“He just jumped in. He wanted to get out of the house for a little while. I’ve told him nothing,” he finally let another sheepish smile spread over his face and laughed without regard to her blush rising.
“Well,” she looked back to Zachary, “we’re going to the local animal shelter and I’m hopefully adopting a cat. I hope a big tough… guy like you can handle that.”
She swore he nearly smiled and she didn’t understand the inside joke as Andrew howled with laughter.
“A cat, huh?” He was now at least smirking, this Zachary Woods. A smirk looked fucking good on him. He had a God damn dimple and she really wanted to know if the other side matched.
“Yes?” She looked between him and Andrew, who was pulling off now. She had a feeling this was going to be a very long morning.
“Cool,” he finally said. “Cats are cool. I know a lot of cats.”
“Alright…”she turned to Andrew, who was still having a hard time not laughing while he drove.
“Zachary, I don’t think I’ve ever seen this from you, man.” Andrew chuckled hysterically.
“Seen what?” Zachary growled. She could only describe that sound as a growl at least. It was feral.
“There’s the Zachary we all know and love,” Andrew mumbled to himself. Riley could barely hear it. “Nothing, man.” This he said louder for Zachary.
She snorted and figured out that rib. Apparently Zachary was the temperamental one, She looked back at him and the glower he had plastered on his face, making it all harsh angles, had her a little worried. He glaring at the back of Andrew’s head.
“That’s his default face,” Andrew whispered to her. He must have been able to see it in the rear view mirror.
“I can hear that, fucker,” she watched Zachary reach one long leg out and kick the back of Andrew’s seat.
“Yo, man, I’m fucking driving. Can we not do this?” Andrew grunted. “I’m not even sure why you’re fucking here if you want to be a cranky fuck.”
Riley snapped her head back to Andrew. Did he just drop three f-bombs in three sentences? Good lord and all things holy. Zachary only growled at him and that sent shivers down Riley’s spine. That feral sound was hot.
“As I was going saying,” Andrew growled back. “I don’t normal see you try and be nice to people or have regular conversation. I guess that five minute change in personality had ended.”
They rode in silence for a little while, ignoring each other. Riley wasn’t sure how to feel about this entire morning anymore. They picked up her check from the diner and she nearly squealed at how much it was. In two weeks, her check would be even better.
By the time they were done with the bank, the SUV internal temperature was cold. It had less to do with the heat on and more to do with Zachary in the backseat.
“So, we should hit the pet supply store first,” Andrew told her quietly. “So you have everything you need, even if you don’t get a cat today. You’ll be ready.”
She nodded slowly. Yup, that sounded pretty well thought out.
“What kind of cat were you thinking?” Zachary mumbled in the back. She had the distinct feeling he wanted to know what was going on but was too much of a bad ass to appear that he wanted to know.
“Something small,” she turned to him and smiled. “A little runt that I can cuddle with.”
“So…” he grinned then, looking her up and down from around the seat. “Like you.”
She bristled and glared at him. Wow, these estate boys knew how to say everything wrong thing. Andrew was back to chuckling to himself, shaking his head.
“I might be a little runt, but you damn sure won’t be cuddling with me,” she hissed. “So, no, not like me.” Zachary laughed, throwing his head back.
“Troy was right,” he finally patted Andrew’s shoulder. “She’s got a mouth on her.”
“Don’t antagonize her, Zachary,” Andrew mumbled between chuckles. “I want my employee to feel comfortable going places with me and not harassed by all of you.”
“Doing a stand up job there, boss man,” she mumbled and moved to look out the window. Zachary was still laughing to himself, not even attempting to control himself.
“Don’t antagonize Zachary,” he looked down at her as they pulled up to the pet supply store. “He can be downright mean if you push him and he really doesn’t give a shit about people’s feelings.”
She nodded silently as Zachary kicked the back of Andrew’s seat again in what seemed like retribution. Andrew didn’t respond this time and they all jumped out of the SUV. Luckily, the place was open this early. It was only eight, since they were able to get through the bank quickly.
Inside was everything you could possibly ever need for a pet and then some. Andrew took the lead, pushing a cart and grabbing all sorts of wet cat food in different flavors. He told her that he was aiming for a month’s worth. She swallowed at the amount. That was more then she planned. She was aiming for two weeks, until the next paycheck. Zachary was throwing cat toys in without even check their prices and she tried to get him to stop only to get picked up and relocated to the collars and leaches section.
“You should get a harness and leash along with the collar in case you have a cat that likes to go out.” He pointed around to the different items around the aisle, his voice a low growl.
“Yeah,” she mumbled. She started looking through everything and landed on a really gorgeous teal. Teal paired with blues, pinks and black was her favorite. It reminded her of space and the such. She was secret a space geek and she had no shame. It was part of why she liked the diner. It was based on a painting (she was a painter) about the night sky (she loved space). Perfect fit really. She had considered it a sign when she ended up in Wild Junction.
She tossed the collar (that had a bell), leash and harness in the cart. She took a long at the cart, while both of the guys only stared at her.
“This is just too much,” she finally told them. “I don’t think I-”
Zachary pushed the cart and Andrew grabbed her elbow. What was happening? She looked up at him and hissed.
“I can’t afford all that,” she punched him lightly. Hopefully he wouldn’t fire her for that. They were trying to be friends right?
“You don’t need to,” he whispered back, leaning down to deliver the message directly in her ear. “You just worry about the cat you’re about to have.”
She stumbled to a stop and Andrew just kept walking. She saw Zachary pull out a black credit card and gaped. The total was nearly five hundred dollars? How did they get that much cat stuff? She was thinking like two toys, two weeks of food, litter box with litter, and the collar.
“Excuse me?” She blurted out. “I don’t -”
“You’re welcome,” Zachary growled. “I like animals and any new pet should have everything. We even got a carrier in case the cat needs to see a vet or for any car ride.”
Ah, that’s what she had forgotten on her original list. The carrier. She glared at Zachary and bit her tongue. A two hundred and fifty dollar cat tree was still not on her list though and yet it was there in Andrew’s arm. His really nice arms.
“Thank you,” she finally mumbled as they walked to the SUV. This shit was embarrassing and she suddenly want to just steal their vehicle and leave them there. Now they were going to watch her go all soft picking out a cat. “You really didn’t need to do that.”
“We wanted to,” Andrew told her patiently, smiling gently. “We like cats and we want which ever one you pick to have the best stuff. Plus, I’m just happy you asked me to come so I’m paying you back for that.”
She nodded slowly, heat rising over her face. She looked at herself in the side mirror and saw she was incredibly red. Wonderful.
“Seriously?” She bit her bottom lip.
“Yup,” Andrew grinned. “Just let us be nice, Zachary needs the practice. And I like to think that friends buy friends things without complaint so I’m teaching Zachary that.”
“Fuck you, Andrew,” Zachary growled from the back.
They pulled into the animal shelter in silence. The guys were both excited in their own way. Andrew was grinning and Zachary had a smirk as she climbed out. Once inside, a kind woman led them back to the cat house. Riley took a deep breathe before stepping inside.
There were cats every where. Dozens of them and they were on everything. Cat trees covered in cats, several litter boxes with cats in them doing their thing, and several running up to her for rubs. Zachary and Andrew stood outside, using the excuse that she was the one picking out a cat so they didn’t want to go in and bother her.
She stood there for a long time until her eyes fell on a small little thing curled up on of the trees. It was tiny and the lady had said no kittens were in the main cat house, so it must have been fully grown. All black except one white burst on it’s chest, it meowed loudly when she got close. It bumped her with it’s head and she was lost.
This cat was it for her. She picked it up and it rolled over in her arms, curling into a cuddly ball. She bit back tears at the adorable thing. A quick check told her that it was a girl and she immediately knew a name. Star. Star was a great name for little girl with a white burst on a pure midnight black coat. The woman just stood smiling at her as Riley turned to her.
“This one…” Riley whispered. “I don’t know if you name them here, but her name is now Star and she’s going to be mine.”
“Alright!” The lady was incredibly cheerful now. “Did you bring a carrier to take Star home?”
Andrew must have heard, because he went running back to the SUV and came back only a couple minutes later with the now fully built carrier. He stepped inside and Riley was stunned by how every cat suddenly wanted his attention. Only Star continued to even care Riley was there. Yeah, she definitely chose the right cat, the one that doesn’t fall for the hottie in plaid. Go girl. More willpower then Riley had for the two sexy men driving her around today.
Once Star was loaded up, they moved on to paperwork. There wasn’t much of it and fifty dollars later, Star was Riley’s newest and only family member. She was already madly in love.
“So, Star.” Andrew grinned at her as they all got back in the SUV. Riley opted for the back, to sit with her new best friend. Zachary actually seemed upset he couldn’t sit in the back with the cat.
“Yeah, because she had this little white marking on her chest. It’s cute.” Riley mumbled quickly.
“It’s a good name,” he nodded to her at that. “Let’s get you and Star home. It’s nearly ten in the morning.”
She gave Andrew a thumbs up and once they made it back to the apartment, the guys took all the bags and boxes to her front door and waited. She got the door unlocked and stared at them. She held a meowing Star and just watched them while they both looked to each other.
“Have a nice day?” She looked between them both.
“We’re going to help you set up,” Zachary growled, grabbing the cat tree and stepping around her. “Whether you like it or not.”
Andrew kept grinning, grabbing the cat carrier from her and following Zachary inside. She stood quietly with the bags and sighed. Men. At least she wouldn’t have to put all the stuff together. They bought it, so it seemed fair they build it.
But now they were in her apartment… with her sketchbook. She grabbed several bags and began shuttling them inside quickly. Zachary was already on the floor piercing together the new cat tree. Andrew was holding Star, now out of her carrier and looking very upset with the activity of being held by Andrew. The carrier was tucked away in the corner by the television. Riley took a moment to see how small apartment was with the two giants in it.
“This is home,” she whispered self-consciously.
“Decent place,” Andrew nodded to her.
“It’s an apartment in the Dump,” Riley cocked an eyebrow at him. “Don’t lie to me.”
“True…” Andrew trailed off, looking around. She shut the front door and he put her new cat down. Star immediately ran to her and circled her legs, rubbing. Riley couldn’t stop the smile that broke out at the sight. She definitely picked the right cat.
It took nearly an hour for them all to settle in and get everything placed out. The cat tree was an instant hit with Star and they placed it on the other side of the TV. The litter box was stationed discreetly in her living room as well, on the floor near the back wall. Toys were scattered everywhere and she got the collar on Star after a small fight with the cat.
When they were all done, Andrew pulled her in for a hug.
“Want to grab a bite to eat? Let Star get settled on her own for a moment?” He was leaning down and talking her ear. Why did all these all guy do that? It was sexy and seductive and did horrible things to her self-control.
“Uh, sure,” she mumbled in his chest. She wasn’t sure what to do with the hug so she patted his back twice. Zachary was watching them intently and Riley felt another blush spread over her face. Andrew left an arm thrown over her shoulder for a long time as they all looked at each other.
“Let go back our place, Andrew will make something for lunch,” Zachary growled, stomping out of the apartment, making the floor shake. Andrew lead her out without much else to say and Riley said a quick good bye to Star. The cat was already napping on the top platform of the cat tree, completely uninterested in everyone. Riley was jealous that Star had an easier time ignoring hot guys then she did. Totally not fair.
Riley was able to lock her door before Andrew continued to drag her back to the SUV. Suddenly, with her in the front seat again, they were on their way to the Kingson Estate. They passed Haley in her truck and Riley tried to duck for cover. Haley would be furious that Riley was out and about with these couple of boys. Haley had been adamant. Do not get involved with them under any circumstances. Too late, Riley thought to herself, much too late. She wasn’t paying attention as they pulled into the driveway and up towards the house.
The Kingson Estate mansion was massive and Riley sputtered at the sight of it.
“Wow,” she whispered reverently.
“Yeah, it’s a nice place,” Andrew chuckled. “I still do that do when I see it sometimes.”
“But…” she looked over at him. “You grew up here?”
“I wasn’t a kid with money like the others,” Andrew gave her a smile and she saw he was self-conscious. “I was the stray they took in.”
“Don’t say it like that, “Zachary growled. “We liked you, we were kids and we didn’t give a shit about money. We still don’t, you know that. Plus, you were Brenton’s friend long before I was.”
She watched Andrew shrug and thought about that for a minute. Andrew was the ‘regular guy’ of the group then. She wondered if Troy and his brother were the same as Zachary or Andrew. She hadn’t met the last one yet either, Brenton Kingson, the guy who inherited this place. The one she hoped would be ugly as sin so she had one safe on in the group.
They pulled into the garage and Riley gaped at the selection. They had three black SUVs in total, Andrew’s gunmetal pickup, a candy apply red convertible, and seven motorcycles of different varieties.
“Who has this many modes of transportation?” She waved her hand at it as they got out of the SUV.
“Five guys with too much money,” Andrew chuckled. “And we all ride, so we all have our own motorcycle. That inflates it a bit.”
“There are only five guys and there are seven motorcycles.” She pointed out, staring at Andrew in disbelief.
“Troy and Gabe build custom bikes, so two of those are probably in testing and got parked in here.” Andrew grinned at her and threw that casual arm over her shoulders again, leading her inside.
They built custom motorcycles? Christ, she was out of depth here. She was a waitress. This was her boss and his rich-as-fuck friends. She shouldn’t be here and it was too late to run away.
In the giant kitchen (it was seriously bigger then her living room), she sat down at the bar and shrank as much as she could. Andrew immediately began making really good looking sandwiches, asking her about her preferences. Zachary disappeared to go do something and mumbled that he would be back.
“It’s only me, you, Zachary and Gabe today,” Andrew mentioned casually. “Brenton and Troy had to go into Denver for their own things and won’t be back until dinner.”
“Well, I need to be home by like five,” she chuckled nervously. “I’ve got plans tonight with Haley and Phoebe.”
“Oh?” He looked to her and was suddenly very interested.
“Yeah,” she waved a hand around while she spoke. “We’re going to Rocker’s for drinks and dancing. Girl’s night kind of thing.”
“Sounds like fun,” he grinned. “Maybe I can convince all the guys we need to go out and do something. It is Friday night,” he winked at her and she blushed furiously.
That wink said too much. Way too much.
“Go out where?” Gabe walked in, looking at Andrew. He was still gorgeous and away from Troy, he seemed like less trouble. He kept his straight black hair a little long, sweeping over his emerald green eyes. It looked incredibly soft and she wondered what it would feel like to run her hands through. The thought made her bite her bottom lip and she saw Gabe take a long breathe in and turn his head to her. Andrew was only watching her, a small smile on his lips. Weird? Did she smell bad?
“To Rocker’s,” he eventually told Gabe. “Riley here is going out with her girlfriends. We could meet up with them, have a drink and listen to some music.”
Gabe still had his eyes on her and then a lazy Cheshire Cat grin broke out on his face. Definitely still trouble in this man.
“Sounds like a plan,” he whispered, walking over to her. He leaned on the other side of the bar and got close to her face. She refused to back off herself so suddenly they were an inch apart. Riley hoped her breathe didn’t stink. “We haven’t been introduced yet. You ran off on Wednesday when I went to the diner with the guys. I’m Gabe Walker, Troy’s older brother.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said firmly, trying to will her heartbeat to slow down. “How much older?”
“A month. We’re half-brothers technically but no one cares about that distinction.” He leaned a centimeter closer. She fought the urge to move back or forward. This guy had no concept of personal space but she didn’t back down from shit like this. It just wasn’t in her.
Suddenly, he yelp and pulled back. Zachary was behind him with a wooden spoon.
“Back off,” he snarled at Gabe who shrank an inch at it. He nailed Gabe again on the back of the head.
“No reason to be violent, Zachary,” she laughed. “I’m fine.”
Gabe and Andrew looked at her like she had grown a second head while Zachary only gave a violent looking smile and leaned over to her, taking Gabe’s spot.
“Yeah, you are,” his eyes darted down to her chest. “But Gabe knows better.”
“Then you should too,” she hissed softly, a taunting smile on her lips. This guy was obviously one who like to be in charge. She wondered if he was the normal ring leader of the group.
He only nodded, backing out her space. His expression didn’t change however and she wondered what she just got herself into. These guys were different, strange. Maybe it was the money that made their behavior so weird? If not for Andrew, she would have run out of the room. He was at least a little normal.
They ate lunch and she listened to them talk about when they grew up in Wild Junction. She didn’t learn much. They all lived here with Brenton and his family most of the year and were home schooled. They all decided to stay permanently when the accidents happened. It was like they were telling her a press release version of their lives and she didn’t know if she could expect more. It wasn’t really her business.
It was nearly three when Andrew decided to drive her home. It was quiet ride but when the got to her apartment, he stopped her.
“Wait,” he whispered, taking her hand. She looked over to him, eyebrows raised. “I just wanted you to know that you can always come over. If you need anything or Star needs anything, call me. I know you have Haley and Phoebe but I don’t like you only having them in case you need help or a ride or even a friend to hang out with.”
He was just so damn nice. How could she avoid this guy when he was so nice?
“Thanks Andrew,” she gave him a smile. “I might like to have another friend.”
“I’d love to be considered one,” Andrew grinned now. “See you at Rocker’s tonight.”
“Yeah, maybe,” she mumbled, nervous now at the thought.
She jumped out quickly and ran up her stairs. These guys were getting to her. Too many of them, too much of them, too often. They were cocky, arrogant and then incredibly sweet. It was awful and she couldn’t risk getting close to yet another guy, let alone a pack of them. She’d barely known any of them a week.
Except Andrew, he was a sweetheart. Maybe too much of a sweetheart?
Tonight, she was going out and getting some action from a tourist that she wouldn’t need to see the next day. That might clear her mind of the outrageous men who were quickly storming into her life trying to be friendly.