4
No one had ever said Tessa made the best decisions, and today was no different. She’d actually agreed with Brent’s idea, and now today was moving day for Murphy freaking Gallagher. Why had she agreed to let the hottest guy she’d ever known move in with her?
Because she was an idiot, that’s why. A big freaking idiot, who couldn’t say no to those pretty Gallagher eyes of his.
Yes, she needed the money. Yes, Murphy needed a place to live. Yes, living with one of his relatives might get tricky since he was about to go through treatment. Yes, she and Murphy were friends so she should have offered herself. Yes, she’d had naked dreams about him and had even put her hand down her pants to rub one off while thinking of him going down on her.
Yes, all of those things were true.
And yet…and it was the last one that made this a truly horrible idea.
She’d never lived with a man before other than her adoptive father. Well, she might have lived with her birth father, but she didn’t remember those times. He’d been in and out of rehab and her birth mom’s bed so much that she didn’t know if he’d ever been there when she was. That was all beside the point though, because she truly had no idea what she was doing.
She couldn’t live with Murphy Gallagher and remain sane. She also couldn’t kick him out, because while she had an attitude according to most people, she wasn’t that much of a bitch.
But what if she wanted to walk naked around her home? She couldn’t do that now with him walking around, as well—hopefully fully clothed.
Images of a naked and wet Murphy sauntering around her home—because if he was going to be naked, he was sure as hell going to be sweaty, too—filled her mind, and she quickly pushed those thoughts out of her head. So what if Blake had told her that she’d been the one to pierce Murphy’s dick. That, in fact, all of the Gallagher men had piercings adorning their most likely beautiful, long, and thick cocks.
That wasn’t something she was going to think about.
She was surely not going to imagine herself accidentally going into the wrong bed and spooning him. Because, hello, she’d never accidentally gone into Liz’s bed and done that. Though she was pretty sure one of her exes had imagined that. Often.
Murphy was just going to stay with her until they figured out the next step of the plan. He would be her roommate.
And for fuck’s sake, she had Brent. Brent. The sweet man who had offered up her home for Murphy as if he didn’t care that she’d be living with the sexiest man on the planet.
So, apparently, Tessa was officially the worst person in the world.
She didn’t like Murphy like that. He was hot, smart, and a wonderful guy, but he was her friend. She didn’t want to have a relationship with him beyond what she had. What she wanted was to see how things went with Brent, the man she was currently dating, though they weren’t at the boyfriend/girlfriend stage.
Because her life wasn’t complicated enough.
“Move out of the way, heifer,” Blake said with a laugh as she hip-checked Tessa out of the doorway. For a pregnant woman, Blake could sure move; though Tessa was pretty sure that box had been labeled pillows. That was a good thing because if Blake or Liz carried anything heavier than that, there would be hell to pay.
Tessa flipped her friend off with a laugh before going out to the moving truck for another box. Since everything was so last-minute, they hadn’t been able to hire movers. Instead, Owen had done what he did best and arranged the family so they took shifts packing up Murphy’s things, then sending the furniture and other items to their storage shed at their property, before transporting the things Murphy would need to her house.
Or their house rather.
She still owned it since the paperwork had gone through to get Liz off the deed, but Murphy would be paying rent and half the utilities. She hated having to charge him at all, but he’d insisted, and frankly, she needed the money to help pay for all the fees and the increase in her monthly bills now that Liz was gone.
She wasn’t sure what would happen once Murphy was able to move out, but she didn’t have time to think about it right then. First, she needed to find a way to make this whole roommate thing work.
“You sure you’re able to do this?” Liz asked as she walked beside Tessa, a light box in her hands. “I mean, you didn’t really sign up for a roommate.”
Tessa put on her brightest smile and rolled her eyes. “I’ll be fine. It’s Murphy. He’s a good guy, and I’m going to be completely safe around him.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it. I’ve seen the way you two flirt with each other. I used to think the two of you didn’t mean anything by it, but now, I’m not so sure.”
Tessa frowned, honestly confused. “He’s hot, I get that. Hell, all the Gallagher brothers are, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to jump him. I like him as a friend, and that’s all I want. And though I’m sort of dating Brent, I don’t do relationships. You know that. And even if I wanted to, it wouldn’t be with Murphy. I wouldn’t want to hurt what we have or ruin the dynamic of the group. And he’ll be thinking of more important things in his life than wanting to jump me.”
Liz studied her face before giving her a slight nod. “I want to believe that. But, Tessa, I don’t want either of you hurt. I might be marrying into the Gallagher family, but you’re still my family, too. We’re sisters in everything but blood, and always will be, no matter how big of a family I marry into.”
Tessa’s heart ached at the mention of family, but she blew out a breath and waved it off. She didn’t have time to go down that particular memory lane today. “We’re not going to get hurt. Murphy is going to need a support system and a place to live while he’s going through this, and between all of us, we can make that happen. He’s just sleeping in your old room. Nothing is going to change.”
That was a total lie, but Liz let her tell it.
“Two ladies in my bedroom, I’m one lucky man,” Murphy said with a grin as he set down a box.
“That’s the mother of my future child you’re talking about,” Owen warned. “Watch it.”
Murphy’s eyes widened. “Tessa? Why didn’t you tell me?”
Tessa gave him a frown and put her hand over her belly. “I thought we were keeping it a secret, Owen.”
“I’ve always wanted a sister wife,” Liz added, her hand over her own belly bump—only hers was real. “I’m just not sure on the sleeping arrangements. Should I spoon Tessa while you spoon me? Who gets to be the big spoon?”
“It’s fun trying out being every spoon,” Jake said. As he was part of a triad himself, he would know. “Believe me.” He waggled his brows, and Tessa bit her lip so she wouldn’t giggle.
Owen looked between Liz and Tessa, worry on his face, and Tessa broke out into laughter. The rest of them joined in as Owen rubbed a hand over his jaw.
“I swear to God, if our little girl ends up like her aunt Tessa, we’re making her join a convent.”
Murphy met Tessa’s gaze as they both smiled widely. “You’re having a girl?” Tessa asked, bouncing on her feet.
Liz shook her head. “We don’t know yet. Soon, though, I think. Owen and I thought for like thirty seconds we’d want it to be a surprise, but we like our lists.”
“Just don’t do a gender reveal party, okay?” Tessa rolled her eyes. “I mean, the whole ‘rifles or ruffles’ thing is a bit much.”
“No problem there. That whole thing freaks me out a little,” Owen agreed. “Anyway, we’re all done unpacking the truck, do you want us to help with the boxes in here?”
Murphy shook his head. “You made sure everything was labeled to the point of color-coding, even in such a short time. I can handle it from here. Go do what you need to for the rest of the day. Rowan’s with her friends, but Noah is with your brother, right?”
Maya nodded. “Tabby and Alex are practicing with all the Montgomery babies for when they’re ready to have kids. It makes it easy to find a babysitter for sure.” As Maya had seven siblings and countless cousins, finding a babysitter wouldn’t be a problem for her.
Tessa, on the other hand, only had her parents, and though they were amazing people, she still felt a little cut off from them. Her fault, she knew. She hadn’t been an easy child and an even worse teenager. They’d never blamed her for acting out, but she sure as hell blamed herself.
“Tessa? You okay with me ordering a pizza?”
She blinked at Murphy’s question and shook her head as she looked around the room, noticing that they were alone now. Apparently, when she’d been in her own little world, the others had left. Had she even said goodbye? Hell, she needed to get her head on straight—especially since this was Murphy’s first night staying at the house, and she didn’t want him to think she was a complete head case.
“No on the pizza? You okay, Tessa?”
“Sorry, yes, pizza is fine. I was thinking about something and, apparently, lost all track of where I was and how to act like a nice host. Did everyone leave while I was standing there drooling?”
Murphy chuckled and wrapped his arm around her shoulders while leading her back to the kitchen. “You weren’t drooling. Much.” He winked, and she punched him in the side before remembering that he was sick. She quickly pulled away and cursed.
“I am so sorry.”
Murphy’s eyes darkened. “You didn’t hurt me. Don’t treat me any different than you normally would. Okay?”
“I can’t make that promise, but I’ll try. And while we’re making promises, don’t hide your symptoms from me.” He opened his mouth to say something, but she headed him off. “I know you’re going to try and be tough and strong in front of your family, and I get that. You don’t want them to worry. But, eventually, you’re going to need to let things come out so you can heal. If you have to hide what’s going on where you live, as well, it’s going to just be tougher on you. So, never feel like you have to hide things from me.”
She hadn’t meant to say all that, but now that it was out, she knew it was exactly what she needed to say.
Murphy searched her face before nodding. “I’ll try.”
She cleared her throat, awkwardness settling between them. “Pizza?”
He nodded quickly as if thankful for the change in subject. She certainly was. “Pizza.”
Once again, she hoped she knew what she was doing.
“I’m totally Team Bucky,” Tessa said as she leaned back on the couch. She patted her stomach, now bursting to the brim with pizza, soda, and ice cream. She hadn’t eaten like this in months—if not years—and knew she’d probably regret it in the morning, but she didn’t care. Not when they were celebrating Murphy’s first night in the house.
“I don’t think there is a Team Bucky,” Murphy said from her side. He was also leaning on the couch but toward her so their shoulders pressed together. She figured they were both far too full and tired from moving his stuff in to move. “There’s Team Captain or Team Iron Man. And I have to say, I’m going with Captain here. Tony is a misogynistic hypocrite. I mean, come on. He’s the one who started the whole mess in the first place by being a selfish twat, then suddenly he changes his mind and actually has a real feeling about something, and now he wants everyone to follow the rules? Bullshit. He loves breaking rules. It’s his thing.”
She grinned and turned her head to look at him. His beard was a bit fuller than usual, and his eyes were droopy. She figured one of them would pass out soon from all the carbs and work they’d done, and she just hoped it wasn’t on her couch. There was no way she wanted to wake up cuddling this man. Not only would it be a bad idea, but it would also feel too much like cheating on Brent. Sure, she and Brent were allowed to date other people, but Murphy would not be one of them.
“Still Team Bucky.”
“Still not a thing.”
“It totally is. I mean, I love Cap, but Bucky is where it’s at. He didn’t have a choice in anything that was done to him, and yet he’s still fighting all that mind control and his past to try and find out who he is without Hydra. And if he and Cap were together?” She closed her eyes and moaned loudly.
Murphy barked a laugh and nudged her thigh with his fist. “Actually, I can see that. Would be kind of hot.”
Tessa opened her eyes and stared at him. “See? Team Bucky.”
“You’re insane. But I like you anyway.”
“That’s what they all say.” They continued the movie, laughing and slowly getting a little more tired as the night went on when her phone buzzed on the table.
Murphy sat up with her to pause the epic final battle, and Tessa lifted her phone to see who could be calling after nine.
“Ah, yes, Dull Brent. How is Dull Brent these days?” Murphy’s eyes danced as he said it, so she flipped him off. She didn’t really mean it since she’d been the one to call Brent boring in the first place.
God, she was such a bitch sometimes. She answered the phone and stood up, waving Murphy off when he shook the remote. “Hey, Brent, we were just watching a movie. Let me get back to the bedroom, okay?”
“No problem. I just wanted to hear your voice before bed.” She frowned at his words. He’d never said anything like that before, and she had to wonder if it was because Murphy was staying at her house or that maybe Brent was starting to feel more for her than she’d realized.
But, Tessa reminded herself, she’d made a promise to try and make this relationship work so she would just attempt to stop overthinking things.
“I’ll clean up,” Murphy said quietly. “Night, Tessa.”
She gave him a small smile. “Thanks, and good night, Murph.”
He gave her a wink and went about cleaning up the rest of their mess, though they’d done most it before, as she walked back to her bedroom to talk to Brent. It felt weird being in the same house with Murphy alone after dark, but she knew she’d just have to get used to it. In fact, she’d have to get used to a lot of things.
Murphy was going to need her soon, even if he didn’t want to, and she’d have to be the strong one—something she wasn’t positive she’d been before, even though she’d tried. She blew out a breath, knowing there was nothing she could do for him now. Instead, she needed to focus on something she could get a handle on.
“So, you wanted to hear my voice?”
Brent was a good guy. He was a nice guy. And maybe if she tried hard enough, she could be the type of woman who would be good enough for him.
Maybe.