“Hey, Louisa, we’ve arrived,” Bryce says.

My eyes feel heavy, the Tramadol has well and truly knocked me for six and I feel bone weary, but I open them slowly. Nisha has jumped out of the car, and I can hear the distinct sound of gravel crunching under her feet as she chatters incessantly about the size of the place. Bryce is still in the front seat. He is staring at me, a worried expression on his face.

“Urgh, I feel awful.” My head is spinning, and the dull throb is still there. All I want to do is collapse in a bath.

“Give me a sec. I’ll get the door.”

I move to sit up, but my head swims and I suddenly feel nauseous. A moment later the door opens. Bryce leans over me and unclicks the seatbelt, sliding his hands under my thighs and around my back.

“I can walk,” I say half-heartedly.

“Maybe, but I’d rather you didn’t faint on me.” Bryce lifts me out of the car. Another sharp pain makes me draw in a sudden breath.

“Nisha, will you get the door?” Bryce asks. Nisha looks over at us both.

“Shit, of course. Sorry, Lou. I’m such a bad friend. Are you feeling alright?”

I lean into Bryce’s neck and press my fingers against my cheek. It still feels sore. “I’ve felt better,” I say with a wry grin. She walks over and presses a kiss against my forehead.

“Sorry, Lou. It’s just…”

“I know, I get it,” I say, reaching for her hand. I understand her awe. “This place is about as far removed to what we’re used to as snow is to people living in the Sahara Desert. But you’re not a bad friend. You’re my best friend and I love you.”

She smiles. “Now, let’s not get soppy. I think that’s the Tramadol talking.”

“Come on, let’s get inside,” Bryce says.

Nisha rushes forward and Bryce follows. Even through the haze of the painkillers I am acutely aware of his hands beneath me, the closeness of his skin to my lips. I really, really want to press them against his neck, to breathe him in. I want to kiss him. I want him. Bryce looks down at me. For a moment I think he is going to kiss me, but he doesn’t, he simply smiles and moves forward.

His home, the brothers’ home, is a huge modern building set over three stories, with smooth white walls and huge panoramic windows on each floor that wrap around the entire house. To the side is a large garage and above it, what looks like a granny annexe or studio of some sort. The light is on in the first floor and I can see two people walking around. My heart lurches in my chest as I recognise the physique of the first person. It’s Max. The other man isn’t Hudson. I don’t know who he is.

Bryce walks me up the couple of steps to the front door, then gently lowers me to my feet whilst he fishes in his pocket for his keys. He hands them to Nisha, pointing to the correct key.

“Would you mind?” he asks, then leans over ready to lift me up again, but I place my free hand on his shoulder. “I can walk, honestly. I think I just sat up too quickly or something.”

“All the same, I think I’ll still keep my arm around you. Is that okay?” he asks.

My hand slips to the opening of his shirt, my fingers resting on the skin there. “It’s more than okay,” I respond.

He looks at me for a long moment, his face nearing mine. “God, I’ve missed you…”

“There,” Nisha says, breaking the moment between us. “After you.”

Bryce’s head snaps up and she looks at me with her eyebrows raised, a devious twinkle in her eye. As soon as we’re alone she’s going to be bombarding me with so many questions.

“Max, Hud, get your arses down here,” Bryce calls from the open doorway.

Inside, the house is all clean lines, white walls and minimalistic furniture. There are pieces of cool graffiti artwork hanging on the walls.

“Is that a Banksy?” Nisha asks before I can.

“Yes, it is,” Bryce says.

“Holy shit.” Nisha walks over to the painting, reaching up to touch it.

“Max, you need to get down here now,” Bryce yells, smiling at me apologetically.

“Alright, bro. What’s the sodding hurry?” I hear Max say from above.

Bare feet, followed by legs clad in light blue jeans and a figure-hugging white t-shirt descend. Catching sight of me, Max stops midway on the stairs. He leans his hand against the wall, steadying himself.

“You found her?” he says. He looks at me in shock, then frowns when he sees my cut lip, my swollen cheek and the way Bryce is supporting me.

“What the fuck has happened?” He scrambles down the stairs, jumping the last few steps and rushing towards me.

Bryce withdraws his arm from around my waist.

“Gently, Max. I think she has a broken rib,” he says, stepping away.

“Broken rib? Louisa what’s happened, where have you been? Why did you leave? God, I want to hold you. Can I hold you?” His words tumble out of his mouth in a rush.

I nod. “Just be careful of this bit here,” I say, my hand hovering over the part that is sore. It occurs to me then that I am still wearing my fluffy Primark pyjamas, but he doesn’t seem to notice. Max steps forward, wrapping one arm around my back, avoiding the sore spot, and with the other, gently guides my head towards his broad chest. I lean into him, wrapping my arms around his waist. Tears prick my eyes as he strokes my hair.

“Louisa, why did you leave?” he asks quietly, pressing a kiss against my head. I can hear his heart thundering beneath his rib cage.

“So, this must be Max, right? The fit blonde one,” Nisha says from behind us.

Max pulls away, looking down at me. “Fit blonde one, eh?” he grins, pulling back. “Yep, that’ll be me. Bryce is the cuddly, hairy one.”

I laugh, just the same as Nisha does. She strides over, her tight curls bouncing.

“I’m Nisha,” she says, thrusting her hand towards him.

“Hi, Nisha. Good to meet you.” Max gives her one of his most startling smiles, takes her hand and shakes it.

Nisha turns to me. “Well, aren’t you the bloody lucky one! Where’s Hudson?” she asks. It’s an innocent enough question, but I can sense the change in Max. He glances at Bryce.

“It’s alright, Bryce told me. Is he here?”

“No. He’s out right now. I don’t expect him to be back until the early hours,” Max explains.

“But you said he barely goes out?” I say to Bryce.

He puffs out a breath. “Hud doesn’t often, but when he does he comes back in bad shape.”

“I need to speak to him, to explain.”

“Why you left us?” Max asks again.

“Yes.” I press my hand against Max’s face. “I’m sorry, Max. My mum died… I wasn’t thinking.”

Max’s eyes widen. “Your mum’s dead? Damn it, Louisa. You shouldn’t have gone through that alone.” This time he leans in and presses a delicate kiss against my lips, and even though it stings a little, I am more overwhelmed by the sudden desire that tightens my chest.

Bryce steps forward. “There’s more. I’ll fill you in, Max, but before I do I think it’d be best if we show Louisa and Nisha to their rooms.”

“Rooms?” Max asks, confused.

“Yes, they’ll be staying a while. Is Cal here?”

Max points upwards. “He’s in the lounge.”

“Send him out for the luggage and then ask him to go and find Hud, bring him home.”

“But what if he’s…” Max starts.

“Then we’ll deal with it.”

Bryce takes my hand and leads me upstairs. Nisha and Max follow. As soon as we get to the top, Max takes my other hand and I am sandwiched between the two. The floor is open-plan with a pristine white tiled floor, white walls and more funky artwork dotted about the room. To the left of where we stand is a massive L-shaped sofa, a huge sheepskin rug and the biggest TV I’ve ever seen hanging on a central dividing wall. One side of the TV wall is a huge window that wraps around three sides of the house. There are no curtains anywhere. The whole world must be able to see in and somehow that makes me feel particularly vulnerable. I kind of shrink into myself. Look at me, dressed in Primark nightwear, with a swollen lip, a bruised face and messed-up hair. I’m a sodding mess. This place is a palace. I don’t fit in here.

“You alright, Louisa?” Max asks, sensing my sudden withdrawal.

“I don’t know…”

Nisha walks over to the couch, throws herself down and kicks off her shoes. “This is going to be fun!” she grins.

“Good evening, Bryce,” says a man with the most startling blue eyes and smooth caramel skin. He is well built like Max, with an athletic figure. His hair is cut close to his head and even though he’s wearing jeans and a navy hoody, he is extremely well turned out.

Nisha’s mouth drops open as her gaze falls on him. I watch how she pulls her back straight and brushes a hand over her hair. I’ve known Nisha long enough to know when she’s attracted to someone.

“Calum, let me introduce you. This is Louisa, and this is her friend Nisha. They will both be staying with us for a while.”

Calum nods to me. “Nice to meet you, Louisa,” he says.

“You too, Calum.”

“Please call me Cal, everyone else does,” he smiles, his gaze turning to Nisha, who is currently pulling her top down to show more cleavage. Oh God, what is she doing? Calum studies her, an unreadable expression on his face. Nisha looks up, sees that he’s watching her, then mumbles something about an uncomfortable bra whilst turning an even deeper shade of red, having been caught blatantly trying to show off her best assets. When we get a moment, I’m going to need to have a chat with her about her pulling skills.

“Would you show Nisha to the spare room? We’ll take Louisa to hers in a moment,” Bryce adds, looking as amused as Max.

“Of course,” he says, then turns to Nisha, who looks as though she’d like to crawl into a rather large hole and bury herself. Bless her, it’s been a while since she’s been caught off guard like this.

“Nisha, would you like to follow me?” Calum asks.

She stands, then realising she’s got socks with huge holes in, she sits back down and pulls her trainers on. Calum waits patiently.

“Sorry, I needed my shoes,” she rambles. “I mean, I don’t need them inside the house. I just didn’t want to leave them here.”

“Ready?” he says, a tiny smile twitching at his lips.

“Sure, lead the way.” She stops in front of me. “I’ll see you in a bit?”

“Take your time, Nish. I know it’s early, but I might go lie down for a bit. Maybe catch you in the morning?”

“Okay, sure. I’ll have Cal to keep me entertained,” she whispers, wiggling her eyebrows.

“Don’t count on it, he’ll be busy picking up Hud,” Bryce says lightly.

“Shame, he’s right up my alley.” She gives me a look. A very happy cat that’s got the cream look. I laugh as she walks away but soon stop when a sharp pain stabs me in the side.

“Your friend, she’s quite the character,” Max says, watching Nisha following Calum.

“I like her,” Bryce adds. “She can talk the back end off a donkey, but she means no harm.” Bryce lets go of my hand. “I’m going to fix you a drink. Max, take her upstairs, run Louisa a bath.”

“I’m not on the same floor as Nish?”

“No, you’ll be on the same floor as us, where we can keep an eye on you,” Bryce says firmly. I don’t try to argue. Frankly, I’m bone tired and a bath sounds amazing.

“Come on, Louisa, let me show you upstairs,” Max says.