Just what I needed. Mally would fret over me, while Stoke no doubt would lecture me about making his woman worry and that I needed better security. I didn’t have a damn clue why Julian was there.

“Who are they?” Easton whispered. I glanced back to see his arm stretched out towards me, as if he wanted to grab me and pull me inside if I needed saving.

Christ, I wanted to smile, but I held it back. I couldn’t get excited at the possibility of a chance between us. For all I knew, he hated me and only put up with me because he’d helped me. But hell, I really did want to get my hopes up.

If I were really honest with myself, I could also see Parker there, but that was only because we worked together, and that was it, dammit. It was all I allowed myself to think.

My front door flew open with a bang. I winced knowing there’d be a hole in the wall. Then flinched as pain shot through my shoulder, arm, and leg. Hell, even my hip seemed on fire. Parker stood in my doorway next door, his wild gaze travelling over everything.

“Where in the fuck is he?” he snarled.

“Oh shit,” Oliver muttered.

I caught Stoke grin and point our way. Of course he would have noticed where I was. Mally and Julian glanced over as Parker stepped out onto the porch and stood with his legs spread, arms crossed, glaring at us.

“He didn’t know you were out of the house,” Easton whispered.

“Nope. He was asleep on the couch.”

Easton grumbled under his breath, and then I heard his gasp. I looked to where he was. Parker had taken a running leap down to the end of my deck, over the railing, managing to take the fence as well. He landed hard in a crouch and stood slowly, all while scowling at me.

“What in the fuck were you thinking?” he growled out.

“Pinch me,” Oliver whispered. “Ouch! Okay, I’ll be storing that away for my spank bank.”

“I was just next door,” I stated. Jesus, they all treated me like I couldn’t take care of myself. I had a damn revolver hooked in the back of my pants.

“He hasn’t had any medication,” Easton supplied.

I glared down at him, and he smirked.

Fuck me. If he wasn’t trying to get me in the shit, I would have enjoyed that smile.

“I’m fine,” I clipped.

“Help me too,” we all heard Julian call, and turned that way. Stoke had just dropped Mally to her feet on Easton’s side of the fence and Julian was standing on my side with his arms up as if he thought Stoke would pick him up like a baby and lift him over.

“No,” Stoke said.

“Declan,” Mally started, but Stoke already started our way. “Come on,” Mally said to Julian and took his hand. We continued to watch as he fumbled his way over landing on his arse. Finally, he stood with a pop and brushed his butt off, doing it all smiling. With one arm swung around Mally’s shoulders, they started for us.

“What’s goin’ on?” Stoke asked, stopping at the bottom of the steps next to Parker. “See from the photo Pick sent, you’re looking better, brother,” he added, eyeing my face.

“Nothin’s going on, and thanks, brother,” I clipped.

“Well, well, well… looks like I’ve certainly arrived at the right time. Are we having an orgy?” Julian asked.

Mally giggled.

“Can we get him the fuck home? He’s sweating, shaky, and needs to goddamn rest,” Parker ordered.

“Who’re you?” Stoke asked. He lifted his chin towards Easton behind me since I blocked his doorway.

“Neighbours, duh, even I knew that one.” Julian cackled. “Hey.” He waved. “I’m Julian, the Hawks MC gay mascot—”

“Like hell you are,” Stoke barked.

“Did you used to date him?” was asked from behind me.

Everyone froze, and then slowly shifted their eyes to Easton. However, I still stood in front of him. Stoke raised a brow and asked, “Who’s he talkin’ to?”

“I so have to get Chris for this,” Oliver said, and then he bellowed, “Chris. Chris, come quick.”

I moved to the side and shot daggers at the man, but he seemed immune. We all heard heavy footsteps pounding and then Chris saying, “What? What’s wrong?”

“There’s more of them.” Julian gushed.

“Nothing, just watch,” Oliver told Chris.

“You called me like the damn house was on fire for nothing.”

Oliver snorted. “No,” he drew out.

I looked to Parker. His scowl had been replaced by an amused smirk. I glared. “Need to get back home and take meds.”

Parker shook his head. “It can wait a bit longer since you wanted to take a walk over here in the first fuckin’ place without cover or any drugs to take away the pain I’m sure you’re feelin’ right about now.”

Fuck you. I sent him the message with my gaze. I clearly wasn’t going to get any help from him.

“Stoke, Mally, Julian,” I snapped. “This is Easton, Oliver, and from what I heard, Chris.”

“Your neighbours?” Mally queried.

“Just him.” Chris thumbed at Easton, who looked a little pale. He probably didn’t mean to ask that question earlier, but it was too late now.

“Hey there, Easton.” Julian waved again. “Cute name by the way. But who were you asking that question to? I mean, I know I’m totally smoking, but I’m unsure—”

“No one,” he blurted loudly. His hands rose and covered his burning cheeks. “Nothing. Don’t know,” he added, and then, “Dressed. Shower. Headache. Drinking.”

Oliver curled his arm around Easton’s waist. I glared down at it. He quickly removed it and cleared his throat. “I think what Easton’s trying to say is that we had a few too many last night. He woke with a headache, and he needs a shower before getting dressed.”

“Yes.” Easton nodded.

Pink spread across his cheeks despite being scared and that was my fault. He was probably worried about my reaction after he’d blurted his question, and in front of Stoke, a biker. I didn’t want him to worry. I hated the look of fear in his eyes. It reminded me of the time I lost him because I’d been a fucking fool.

“Me,” I said.

While I was sure everyone’s stare shot to me, all I wanted was Easton’s, and when I caught his gaze, I gave him a soft smile, and to hell with it, a wink also.

“Lan,” he mumbled.

“I wanted to get the truth out there,” I stated.

Oliver sniffed beside Easton.

I glanced at my cousin Stoke and told him, “Easton asked me because he and I used to date ten years ago.”

Somewhere close by, a slow rising rooster let off his morning greeting.

Stoke stared at me with no expression showing. Mally smiled, and Julian gaped like a fish out of water.

There was another sniff. I saw it was Oliver once again. Only he had tears in his eyes, and when I spotted Easton’s bottom lip wobble, my heart stuttered over a beat. My confession had meant something to him.

“You could have told me,” Stoke said.

I glanced back and shrugged, only to damn wince. “Had too many issues back then.”

“So,” he drew out, then his lips twitched. “Used to date. Like when he was fifteen? He looks about eighteen now. Lan Davis, my cousin, the cradle robber.”

Parker snorted, then chuckled. He wasn’t the only one. Chris and Oliver joined him, while Julian swiped away tears and Mally’s smile grew bigger.

Meanwhile, I sent Stoke the finger, and said, “Fuck you.”

“I’m twenty-nine actually,” Easton said, and more chuckles were added to the first.

“And now?” Julian asked.

“Friends,” Easton shouted.

Parker scoffed, shook his head and came forward. “How about we worry about all that shit later and get this dickhead back to his house and drugged up.”

“Can I just say, I love your tattoos,” Julian piped up. His eyes were running over Easton appreciatively. Not liking it, I stepped back in front of him.

“East, you wanted a shower, and you’d better get back to your friends,” I said.

Julian and Mally giggled with each other. I ignored them.

“Nice to meet you all. Bye,” Easton called quickly, then shoved his friends back and shut the door.

“Just friends?” Stoke asked.

“Shut it,” I said, as Parker stopped at my side to help me down the steps. I’d already started to feel like a damned weak kitten. My legs shook with each step I took.

“Fuckin’ idiot,” Parker mumbled.

“You can shut it too,” I told him.

“Just to say, I’ve never stood in front of a woman, as friends, if another man was eye fuckin’ her,” Stoke mentioned as we all made our way back to the fence.

“Stoke,” I warned.

“It was only a thought.” He helped Mally over and then came to my side. With both his and Parker’s help, I was over the fence and Mally came to my side, sliding her arm around my waist.

“Hey, babe,” I said.

“Good to see you.” She rubbed her hand up and down my waist, and I waited for it. “But if we ever get a call hours after an incident that involved you—someone in our family—I’ll never talk to you again.”

With my hand on her shoulder, I squeezed it. “Got it.”

“You’d better. We were worried sick.”

“I’d hit you if you weren’t healing for making my woman panic,” Stoke added.

Mally gasped. “He wouldn’t.” Glaring over her shoulder, she snapped at her man, “You wouldn’t.”

Stoke chuckled.

I started up a step, only to stumble. I would have fallen on my arse if it wasn’t for Parker rushing forward to grab me.

“Can I call you a dickhead again?” He shook his head and helped me the rest of the way inside. I sat on my couch after Mally moved the blankets down and then she sat next to me. Parker ordered, “Julian, the room with the door open down the hall. Grab the pills on the bedside table.”

“Got it, Loki. By the way, loving the longer hair on you.” Julian was another man who was immune to glares. He walked off with a smile on his face.

Parker hovered in front of me, scowling with his arms crossed. It was the usual look for him, only most of the time I wasn’t on the receiving end.

Leaning forward, I pulled the gun out and sat it on my free side. “I’m not stupid.”

Stoke laughed and took a seat in the chair. Parker raised his brows at me. “No? Hmm, let me fuckin’ think about that.” He dropped his head back, eyes to the ceiling. After a second, he straightened, even dropped his arms down at his sides, his hands fisted. “Not stupid would be for an injured person to stay the fuck in their bed and take their medication. Not stupid would be stayin’ in a house where he’d be the safest. When someone’s not stupid, they wouldn’t walk goddamn next door to demand to see if his ex has a guy in his bed. Not stu—”

“Enough,” I snarled. “I get it.” Shit, if I had enough energy, I’d get up and in his face, maybe even punch him… or grab him and kiss him. Crap, erase that bloody last thought.

“Do you?” he bit out. He faced Stoke. “You lot hangin’ about for a bit?”

“Yeah, brother.”

Parker stalked to the kitchen where we heard him grab some keys. “I’ll be back,” he announced, and then stormed out the door, slamming it closed.

“Ah… someone has their knickers in a knot,” Julian said from the hallway entrance. He came over and handed me the pills and a glass.

“You worried him, Lan,” Mally said.

I wasn’t ready to think about Parker being worried for me. We were work colleagues, brothers in a way, but that was it. That’d be all there ever would be.

Fuck. I was too tired for anything more.

“I have an idea. Let’s talk more about your neighbour,” Julian said. Closing my eyes, I rested my head back on the couch and gave him the finger.

Once again, Stoke chuckled.