“I love this movie. You guys should have called me. I would have come watch it with you.”
Wide-eyed, I lift my head and meet my brother’s surprised gaze.
Oh no. No, no, no. Why is he here? He shouldn’t be.
“What the hell?” Henry’s attention bounces between me, the guys, and every place on my body where they touch me.
Sawyer’s fingers tighten on my hip. “Henry? What are you doing here?”
My brother holds up a six-pack of beer, his face hardening. “After you stopped by the other day, I realized it had been a while since we hung out, and I wanted to fix that. I guess I can see why, now. Looks like you’ve beenbusy. With my sister, no less.”
“Henry.” I start to sit up, but the guys wrap protective arms around me, not letting me stand.
“Mysister, Sawyer? Listen, I’ve never judged you for who you’ve dated in the past, but those women are like you. They’re not looking for anything deeper. They understand the game. But Liv?”
My alphas and beta stiffen around me, and hurt lances through my chest at Henry’s words. Hurt, because he could think his best friend capable offucking aroundwith me, and because he obviously thinks I’m completely incapable of understanding complex social cues. Sure, maybe I’m not as effortlessly adept at navigating certain social dynamics as some people, but I’m not a fool.
“That’s not fair, Henry.” Sawyer’s voice is tight. He’s just as hurt by my brother’s judgment as I am.
Henry scoffs. “No? So you’re not sitting here with your pack and your hands all over my sister?”
“It’s not like that,” Hayes growls.
“Are you or are you not FUCKING my sister?” His voice raises.
Oh, heck no. He better not wake up Cici. “Henry! Liam’s little sister is trying to sleep.” I start to move, ready to launch myself off the couch, but Sawyer wraps his arms around me.
“It’s okay, baby. I’ve got this.” Sawyer’s words are soft for me, but they harden when he turns back to my brother, growing cold. Dominance drips from his tone. “First of all, Henry, it’s none of your business who I fuck, or who Liv fucks.”
Henry growls, but Sawyer ignores him and pushes on.
“Secondly, I wouldnevertreat Liv like she’s disposable. I’m well aware of what she deserves, and I would never hurt her. I’m sorry you found out about us this way, but I won’t apologize for this relationship.”
“Relationship?” Henry’s jaw grinds.
“Yeah, asshole.Relationship. Like the one you have.”
“I have a mate. What are you trying to say? You’re dating my sister?”
Sawyer chuckles. “No, man, I’m telling you we’recourtingyour sister. I’m telling you she’s ours, and we’re hers. I’m telling you we’re head-over-fucking-heels for her, and you’dbetter get used to this real quick, because she deserves to have her brother be supportive of her, especially since you know your mom won’t be.”
Henry deflates at that. Setting the six-pack down, he flops onto the armchair beside the couch and runs his hands through his hair. “Fuck, man. You’re courting Liv?”
“We’re courting Liv,” Sawyer confirms.
“Is that why you two were being so weird when you stopped by my house that night?” Henry’s lips twitch.
The rest of the guys chuckle, because we’d told them all about my dinner with Henry’s pack, and they’d been thoroughly entertained.
“We hadn’t figured out how to tell you,” I offer. “We weren’t trying to hide anything from you, though. I promise.”
My brother turns to me and leans forward. He’s in protective older brother mode, with his flashing eyes and deep voice. “And you’re happy? They’re treating you right?”
“I’m happy,” I assure him. “Really happy.”
He nods, like that’s all he needs to hear. “Are you going to tell Mom soon? She’s going to keep trying to set you up. You know that, right?”
That makes me groan, and I let my head fall back against Sawyer’s shoulder. “Ugh. I know. I’m going to tell her, I just... I’m not ready to deal with her yet. She doesn’t care about what I want, only what she thinks is best. But I’m not like her, Henry.”
