Chapter Eleven
Two weeks later
It’s my day off and I’ve decided to do some volunteer work at the animal shelter. I’m a huge animal lover, and want to help out in any way I can. I’m about to leave the house when all three guys come out of the kitchen and ask me where I’m going.
“Going to the animal shelter to volunteer for a bit.” I say. All three guys stare, surprised.
“You’re so cute Laylay,” Kade says smirking.
“Hey, you’re breaking the rules using that name!” I say, annoyed. I really hate that stupid nickname.
“It was a slip! My bad,” Kade says, completely unapologetic.
“It’s your day off and you are going to the shelter? I thought we could go out for a movie or something,” Chase sulks.
I laugh, “You’re going to work, and I’m going to help.” I smile up at him; he sighs, leaning over and giving me a kiss.
******
I walk in and meet the man at reception, whose name is Gage. He’s about thirty five, with warm brown eyes and blonde hair. The shelter is in a large warehouse looking building.
“Okay, so are you up for walking some of the dogs?” he asks me after giving me a tour. I nod. I could no doubt use the exercise too.
“How many should I take at a time?” I ask nervously.
Gage grins. “Depends how difficult the dog is.”
“Perhaps I’ll start small,” I mutter, walking past the huge greyhound and towards a poodle mix.
After two hours of walking, I’m finished for the day. “I’ll see you next week, if you can make it,” Gage says.
“I’ll be here,” I tell him.
I go straight home and have a long hot shower. Chase comes home about an hour later, hot and sweaty after a long run.
“If it isn’t my favorite girl,” he drawls.
“I better be your only girl,” I tease.
“You’re a handful, Layla, I don’t think I could handle anyone extra,” he says cheekily.
I throw a pillow at him.
He ducks.
“See! I can barely handle you,” he smirks.
I pull out my phone and play ‘Handle me’ by Robyn for him to listen to the lyrics. He laughs- a deep throaty sound.
“What’s the plan for tonight? I’m hungry. I think we should go to the pub,” I suggest.
“I suppose we can do that. Have to feed my woman, can’t be letting her lose those curves I’m so fond of,” he says in a husky tone.
“Chicken, jack potato and a salad,” I plan what I’m going to eat already. I really am hungry.
Chase shakes his head at me, “I better go shower and get dressed before you get hungrier and therefore grumpier.”
“I do not get grumpy!” I say defensively. Kade and James walk in together, and Chase invites them out to dinner.
“Come out and eat with us, but hurry, Layla’s already starving,” he looks at his brothers with wide eyes.
Kade grimaces. “We better go now people. Hurry up!” While James nods knowingly.
“I’ll be five minutes.” They all leave to get ready. I’m not that grumpy when I’m hungry. Am I?
Chase is no longer concerned about me being around Kade and James. My theory is that any woman in the house was free game. I was the first woman who wasn’t, so he needed to set boundaries. His brothers are nothing but loyal. They tease me and play around, but I know that they only see me as a little sister.
******
` I’m awkwardly sitting in Kade’s Hummer next to a random girl he picked up at the pub. Weirdly, this is the first girl I’ve seen Kade bring home in a while. James and Kade are in the front, and I’m in the back, sandwiched between Chase and Crystal. She keeps glancing over at Chase, and I feel my claws coming out. Chase does look hot today; he’s wearing faded jeans and a tight white V neck top. His arms are ripped, and I can almost see his toned stomach through his T shirt. Yummy. Only problem is, so can Miss Crystal over here. She’s twirling her hair in her hand, and I’m pouting, with my arms crossed over my chest. I realized something today. I’m so used to being at home with all three brothers, joking around and such, that now when they go out and pick up and ignore me, I find myself acting like a two year old and sulking. Chase is watching me and his eyes narrow on mine perceptively. I watch as he bites his lip to stop himself from smiling.
“What’s so funny Chase?” I’m in the mood for a fight.
“You are, baby,” He full on grins now. “You’re acting like a spoilt child.”
Kade looks at me through the rear view mirror and frowns. “What’s wrong, princess?” he asks in a concerned tone.
Crystal bristles at the endearment.
“Nothing,” I grumble.
Chase bursts out laughing, and I narrow my eyes and stare at him.
James turns around and stares at me, curious. “Tell me,” he demands. I glance at Crystal, who is shooting me daggers.
“Fine, you all asked for it! What happened to bro’s before hoes? I wanted us to all go out and have a good night together, but no, you had to go off flirting with anything and ignoring me.” There I said it.
“You wanted it to be a family dinner?” Kade asks softly. My heart melts. A family. That is exactly what we are.
“Yes,” I mumble, now embarrassed at my outburst.
Kade smiles through the rear view mirror, his eyes twinkling. “Next time, princess, just the family, okay?” I nod, appeased.
Crystal huffs and I look over at her. She’s a stunner that’s for sure. Voluptuous and curvy, she’s has a body to die for. A fiery red head with blue eyes, hell, even I find myself checking her out.
Chase laughs again, pulling my attention back to him. “You are so fucking spoilt baby.” He throws an arm around me and kisses me on the head.
“You spoil me Chase,” I tell him honestly.
“I know I do baby, because you deserve it. I’ll always treat you right. And so will my baby brothers,” he whispers in my ear.
“I know,” I sigh, and lay my head on his chest.
I love these men.
About ten minutes later, my peaceful, happy mood goes straight to hell.
“So Chase, do you remember me?” Crystal croons from next to me. My head turns so fast, I’m lucky I didn’t get whiplash.
Chase noticeably stiffens.
“Crystal. Not a word,” Kade barks out in an icy tone.
She pouts, “But I thought since you were taking me home, we were all going to have a little fun.”
My blood boils. I see nothing but red.
Kade slams on the breaks and stops the car. Okay, I know I don’t own these men, they aren’t ‘mine’ or anything like that, especially Kade and James. But it hurts that this clueless airheaded bitch next to me has had a piece of all of them. Especially Chase.
James gets out of the car and opens Crystal’s door, telling her to get out.
“You aren’t serious?” She splutters, stunned.
“Get the fuck out of my car. Now!” Kade demands.
She hurries out of the car, looking shocked, and pulls out her phone. Probably to call someone to pick her up. Before James can shut the car door, I jump out of the car myself, avoiding Chase, who was reaching to grab me. Immediately all three brothers get out of the car, moving towards me.
“What are you doing, Layla?” Chase asks, his voice laced with surprise and concern.
“I’m walking home,” I say simply.
“The fuck you are!” Chase growls, storming towards me.
“Get in the car Layla,” James says softly.
I glare at Chase, then at Kade and James. “I don’t deserve this shit!” I yell at all of them. I see Chase flinch. James looks at the floor and Kade rubs the back of his neck with his palm.
Yes, I’m being dramatic, I know this. But, hell, I’ve had enough of this shit.
“If you guys don’t respect me enough to avoid bringing whores you have all slept with, sitting them in the car right next to me, you can all go to hell!” I start stomping down the pavement. Chase jogs to catch up with me and grabs onto my hips, holding me still.
“Get in the car, Layla, we can talk at home. Come on, baby,” he says softly, in a soothing tone.
I see a red sports car drive up and Crystal jumps in it. A pretty cute guy is driving it, with the top down. Damn the woman even has back up men to pick her up if other men leave her stranded.
I wriggle out of his hold and continue on my dramatic walk home. Chase lets me walk about five meters, before I’m thrown over his shoulder.
“Put me down!” I yell, angry as ever.
“You are getting in the fucking car, Layla,” he growls at me, sounding annoyed.
I’m placed in the middle, and James sits on one side, Chase on the other. Like I am going to try jump out of a moving car? Now who is being dramatic?
I fold my arms and scowl the entire ride home.
I ignore them all when they try to talk to me in the car, and push Chase’s hands off any time he tries to touch me. I think the Layla Crawford silent treatment is in order. When he pulls up at the house, I wait for Chase to get out before I storm up to the front door, opening it with my key. I practically run to my room and lock it behind me.
An hour later and no one has so much as knocked on my door. I can’t help but feel a little peeved. Where was all the apologizing? “Jerks,” I huff to myself. I force myself to study, when finally, about half an hour later there is a knock on my door. I open it, expecting to see Chase, but instead I get all three of them. They are all standing there holding bouquets of flowers, and sheepish apologetic smiles. Chase is holding sunflowers, which is my favorite flower, and Kade and James both have white roses. I look over at Kade, gasping when I see he has a cut lip. “What happened Kade?” I ask, worried. Kade narrows his eyes on Chase, and my eyes widened in realization. Chase clears his throat, drawing my gaze back to him.
“We’re sorry,” they all say simultaneously. I can’t help it when my lip twitches faintly.
“I’m sorry Layla, it was my fault. I was the one who brought her; I didn’t think anything of it. It was my bad judgment.” I sigh, and give Kade a huge hug.
“Okay, get your fucking hands off her now,” Chase complains behind me. I giggle and let Kade go, taking the roses from him. I step to James and give him a peck on the cheek.
“Thank you, James,” I tell him sincerely. He gives me a wink back, and hands me the roses.
Arms full of white roses; I give Chase a cheeky grin. He shakes his head at me and takes my chin in his hands, lifting my face up for a scorching kiss.
“Don’t be mad, okay,” he demands.
“Okay,” I grin, satisfied.
I put all three bouquets in various vases and smile. I turn to all of them and say, “You guys all know I was over reacting, right?”
All three of them shake their heads at me.