Izzy

 

We drive for around four hours towards the Lake District. Harley tells me that we’ll be living in a small village called Kendan, where they are all from. Harley continues to tell me that I will be joining the twins in their last year at the local grammar school. The school does the same courses that I am doing now, and I can continue them for the few remaining months I have left. We talk about what I study, I tell him about my love of art and history. Then, I tell Harley that I want to work with my art when I'm older. I’m surprised when he thinks this is great and can't wait to see my work.

“So, what work do you do?” I ask.

“I own the local gym in the village. It’s the only one for miles, so we do good business. Plus we all had a very good inheritance.” He glances at me before looking back at the road.

“That’s why you’re all buff then,” I joke, and he grins at me.

“Yes, and so are your brothers. You can come any time to build some muscles if you want,” he smiles as I laugh.

“No, I don’t do exercise.” I laugh at his shocked face. “I’m serious. I can run if I want to, but I get all red and sweaty. Well, I’m lazy.”

“You’re joking right? Don’t you eat, then because you’re quite thin and small?” His tone is now serious. I can understand why, seeing where I came from. But, I’m just lucky that I have a good body despite not doing much exercise. My friend Tilly always used to moan about that.

“I just have good genes I guess. I have a bad addiction to Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.” I laugh with Harley when he answers.

“It’s good that Luke likes that stuff and it’s always in the freezer, then.”

“I may like Luke already.” I say.

“Do you drive? We live in the middle of nowhere and without a car, it will be difficult to get around.”

I sigh thinking back to Tilly’s father who bought me a crash course for my seventeenth birthday from all of them. It was the sweetest thing, even if I could never afford a car and insurance. I passed straight away out of pure luck I believe and a few late nights practising in my foster parent’s car. “Yeah, I have a licence.” I answer.

“That’s great, all the boys have cars, so one of us will be able to drive you anywhere until Seb or I can buy you a new car.”

“That’s too much money,” I frown.

Harley laughs at that and we carry on the drive.

As we pull into the village we cross over a beautiful, old bridge with the large river running through the town. As we drive further, I notice the small mountains in the background, and the town is beautiful even at night-time. It’s now close to nine pm, and I'm hoping to go straight to bed when we get there, I’m glad we stopped off for some food on the road.

We pass more country roads and eventually pull into a small road with heavy, black gates which are open. I can see a long road behind them with massive trees on both sides and it’s lit up with large street lamps.

Harley mutters something about the gates being open when they weren’t meant to be and drives up the path. Slowly the biggest house I’ve ever seen comes into view. It's beautiful, grey stone even in dim lights, but when I see all the cars parked in front and hear the loud music blasting from inside, I wonder if this is normal. I briefly think I have no chance of sleeping till morning as I look at the garage built on the side of the house and then the people flittering around outside. I can’t see much in the dark, but it seems to have big windows lining the front of the house.

“For fuck’s sake, I leave them for three days and come back to a massive party,” he jumps out of the car and slams the door. 

I go to follow, and he gestures for me to stay behind him. I really don’t want to be my brothers right now. Harley looks scary as hell.

He slams the massive, wooden door open and pushes drunken people out the way as I follow. I can't see much over the amount of people and noise from some loudspeakers that make my ears feel like they are bleeding. I have not been to many parties because I just didn’t have the clothes or the time to go to them.

We pass through a dark kitchen which has three couples making out on the counters, I keep my head down and try not to look around. I spot the booze everywhere when we pass through a dining room, where there were teenagers dancing on the impressive, wooden table. We eventually make our way into a living area with two massive speakers either side of the largest TV I’ve ever seen. On screen is a music channel with almost naked girls dancing. There are three black, leather sofas spread around the TV and on each is a couple. The room is dark, so I can't see much.

Harley leans into me to shout, “I'm going to turn the electric off in the basement. Stay here, if anyone bothers you tell them you’re with me, alright? I'm so sorry about this, Izzy.” he says with a frown, taking off his jacket and throwing it on a sofa next to a couple who don’t notice.

I just nod. Once he’s gone, I lean against a wall next to the window in the lounge looking out into the massive garden with a huge tree in the middle. There are lights all up the tree highlighting a big tree house.

Harley's going to kill our brothers.

It’s strange saying our brothers when I’m used to having no one. My thoughts stop when large hands circle around my waist and pull me up against a hard chest. I look up, turn around and push my hands into the chest of a massive man. Maybe a little shorter than Harley, but he is still impressive, with wavy, dirty-blond hair and a handsome face. He is gorgeous, even my ex, Devon, wasn’t this hot. He is wearing a tight, grey shirt and blue jeans, with a surfer guy kind of look going on, and, holy crap, he has amazing muscles. My hands tremble as I push them into his chest to push him away, but I’m only fooling myself as my hands want to stay there. The hot guy grins at me and leans down. I feel the hard muscles under my hands as his warm hands go to my hips.

He says, “I haven't seen you before. Trust me, I would remember. What’s your name, beauty?” he asks in a deep, seductive voice that makes me body shiver and not because it’s cold. I haven't been attracted to anyone since Devon, and, well, he was great. This guy has my stomach and nipples tightening from just one sentence. I bet he knows it because my boobs are pushed against his chest, a downside of being big-chested.

"None of your business, look I'm here with Harley, and I’m just waiting for him, so you should let go,” I say as calmly as I can. I hope not to show my husky tone as my hands are still on his chest, and his hands are still on my hips running circles with his thumbs. This is turning me on, and I need to control myself.

“Harley is out-of-town or this party wouldn't be happening, so try again, beauty. What’s your name, or I will just keep calling you, beauty.” He grins and two beautiful dimples appear. How did I not notice these before?

“He is here,” I say strongly, getting angry now. I ignore his request and try to move back out of his grip. He sighs then lets me go enough to grab my hand gently and starts pulling me into another living room. This one has three desks and two sofas, so I’m guessing an office. The blond-haired asshole that’s dragged me here shouts to a familiar-looking, dark-haired man making out with a pretty blonde who’s grinding on his lap.

“Seb, come here a sec.” I frown at him as he winks at me. Asshole, I have decided his name is Asshole, pulls me in front of him by grabbing my hips gently, but it's clear I can't move if I wanted to. I kind of don’t want to. What is wrong with me? This man is a stranger, and I’m in my brother’s house and meant to be worrying about meeting them all for the first time.

The guy, Seb, kisses the girl gently then whispers something. She giggles and moves off him. She slowly glares at me, looking me up and down before moving out the room. I look back to see this Seb is now in front of me and he is frowning as he looks me over. Seb? Maybe that’s short for Sebastian, and I remember that’s one of my brother’s names. I look at him closely; I can see it the minute I look at his eyes. Sebastian looks nearly as tall as Harley but slightly shorter, I think. His hair’s cut short and looks perfectly done in a messy ‘I just got out of bed’ way. Sebastian is just as muscular as Harley like he said they all are. My brothers must all go to the gym that Harley owns. As I look more, I see can that Sebastian has a black eye and a cut lip. The asshole behind me is just as muscular, making me wonder if he goes to the gym a lot too. I wonder if I can go just to see him take his top off.

“Who's this?” he asks Asshole behind me, maybe Hot-as-fuck Asshole is more appropriate.

Sebastian looks down at me with mild curiosity. “I’ve not seen you before, and I know everyone that's invited here. You are not,” he says in a matter-of-fact way, and its pisses me off a little. But, with one smell, I know he has had a lot of alcohol tonight. So, I’m going to guess he might be nicer when he isn’t drunk.

“She won't tell me her name, just that she is waiting for Harley, which is crazy. But, she is hot, so I think we should let her stay,” Asshole says behind me, like I’m not right in front of him.

At that moment, the music stops, and the house is suddenly silent. The lights stay on, so I’m guessing they have some kind of back up. The guys ignore me as they talk about the electric going off. About five minutes later, while Sebastian tells some guy to go and check the electric, Harley stomps into the room glaring at Sebastian. I notice he then gets angrier when he sees me. Before I know it, Asshole is on the floor. I'm pushed behind Harley.

“Blake! What the fuck? Don’t touch her again,” he growls at the asshole on the floor that looks shocked and turns to me asking gently

“You did tell him that you were waiting for me right?”

I nod smirking a little and say, “Yes, but the Asshole wouldn't listen.”

Harley laughs lightly then turns back to Asshole, aka Blake, and Sebastian who is still frowning at me. Harley exhales before looking at his brother.

 Before he gets a chance to say anything Sebastian says, “Who's this? Is this your new girlfriend? I think she looks a bit young for you, man,” he laughs.

“No, fuck no, she isn't my girlfriend. I’ll explain it all to you when all of us are here, and the house is empty. So, start chucking them out.” He huffs and sits on the sofa. I wait for a little until he frowns at me gesturing for me to sit by him.

“Tell me now, who is she?” Sebastian says, standing in front of the sofa now looking down at me like he trying to work out a puzzle.

“Your sister, you idiot. Now, get the others, and we can chat. Her name is Izzy,” Harley says with a slight chuckle at Sebastian's face.

Sebastian looks shell-shocked for maybe a second and then smiles grabbing me up off the sofa for a hug. I can hardly breathe by the time he drops me carefully back on the sofa and smiles happily before heading off. I turn and see Blake standing by the door inspecting me slowly before smirking then leaving. 

"Who was the asshole?" I ask Harley trying to act cool about asking.

"Blake. The twins’ best friend, I’m sorry, he’s just a flirt. You looked like a new girl, and they are always interested in new girls. He won’t do anything like that again," Harley says and smiles at me. Harley’s phone starts beeping, and he quickly types some messages to someone on his phone, ignoring me.

I’m kind of happy and sad at that news. One, is that I’ll see him again; and two, that he is my brother’s friend, which I’m guessing makes me off-limits. I remember when Devon and I started dating. Devon was one of Tilly’s four brothers, she was mad because she was afraid it would be weird if we broke up, and it would affect our friendship. It was lucky for us that Devon and I broke up a month before her parents made them all move. I don’t want to make problems, it’s probably best if I stay away from the hot asshole.

I said probably, right?

It takes around an hour before everyone is gone, and Sebastian joins us in the living room, sitting close to me. Sebastian tells us the others are cleaning up and will be down soon. Harley asks if he said anything, and he said he hasn't yet but looks over-excited.

“So, sis, you’re blonde. Must be from your mother, as you clearly have our outstanding looks and eyes,” he grins and ruffles my hair. 

I laugh slightly and agree. “She was a little less blonde than me, but yes, I must look more like you guys. She had blue eyes, but I got her height,” I say and look at my two giants of brothers.

At that moment, a tall, black-haired man, with very similar looks to Sebastian walks in. He has darker-green eyes and unkempt, wavy hair. The man looks just as muscular as my other brothers, but has more of swimmer’s build with a smaller waist than Sebastian has. The man sits on the sofa next to us then looks me up and down frowning.

When he tries to speak Harley holds his hand up and says, “Wait for Luke, and we will continue this.”

I look at him dressed in black jeans, a black top, and a leather jacket. I think he looks like a typical biker dude, whereas Sebastian looks like a rich, prep-school boy in his blue polo shirt and normal jeans.

A second later, a drunken-looking, brown-haired teenager stumbles in. The teenager sways a little before dropping on the sofa next to the other guy, which I’m now guessing is Elliot. So, this must be Luke. The twins and I are the same age meaning his dad must have cheated around the same time he got my mum pregnant. I shudder at that thought, but if Luke is younger he must have left my mum. I remind myself to ask the twins’ birthday later. I notice he has light-brown hair that’s shaved on each side of his head but thicker on the top, and the same green eyes. But, what stands out is the tattoos on both of his arms. One looks like a dragon curled around his muscular arm, and the other is a more Celtic design.

I hear him mumble something to Elliot, who just nods before he looks at me super quickly with a frown then turns to his brothers as Luke talks, “How come she can stay, but my girls had to leave? That’s not fair.” He flops back in the seat with a huff.

Harley mutters something about God helping him before answering, “This is Izzy, your sister. Dad’s secret daughter. I wasn't sure I found her, so I didn't say anything until I brought her back to live with us.”

There is silence as I glance at each of my brothers.