But none of that prepared me for the overwhelming nature that is Reid and his best friends. I’ve grown used to Reid’s dominating presence, but it’s magnified by the three men surrounding him as he guides me into Hayden’s kitchen.
All eyes instantly turn in our direction, his hand squeezing mine reassuringly. “Everyone, this is Penny.”
I give a small wave, instantly feeling embarrassed by the action.
He starts introductions, even though I already know who everyone is. Everyone knows who these men are.
Reid points to Nikolai. “You’ve already met that one.” Nikolai gives me a bright smile, putting me slightly at ease.
“And you sort of met Walker already.”
Walker steps forward, leaving the embrace of the woman next to him. He extends a hand to me with genuine kindness on his face. “Nice to officially meet you, Penny.”
His hand almost crushes mine, but I don’t think it’s on purpose. He’s just a big guy who seems like he probably doesn’t understand his own strength. “Nice to meet you, too. I like your shirt.” It’s a neon-green cut-off T-shirt that exposes his tattooed, beefy arms with a picture of a cartoon T-rex in the center.
He beams, and my compliment earns an exaggerated eye-roll from the woman next to him. “Christ, I’m never gonna hear the end of it now,” she mutters.
Walker grins triumphantly at her. “See, I told you it’s cool.” He turns back to me. “She tried to throw this one away when we were cleaning out our closets the other week.”
“It looks like a child’s shirt,” she argues.
“It’s fun!” he playfully spits back.
She shakes her head at him, but her lips purse in a barely restrained smirk.
“This is my girlfriend, Scar.” She doesn’t step forward to shake my hand, but she doesn’t strike me as one for formalities. She’s dressed in all black, matching her long, wavy hair, minus the dark purple hue at the end of the strands.
Her boots are a similar shade.
“I can’t believe there’s anyone able to put up with this asshole.” She flicks her eyes to Reid. “But I guess there really is someone out there for everybody.”
I’ve heard their history, but that doesn’t stop my walls from rising at her attitude toward Reid. That’s my boyfriend after all.
But Reid shoots back, just as cooly, “The same could be said about you and him.”
Walker watches the two of them, all traces of humor wiped from his face. He looks ready to jump in, but then Scar cracks a ghost of a smile. “Fair enough.”
A look passes between the two of them, some sort of unspoken truce, and it seems like everyone in the room lets out a collective breath.
The woman tucked into who I recognize as Hayden’s side breaks the silence. “I’m Carter, by the way. I’m so happy you were able to make it over.” She brushes her blonde hair back behind her ear, engagement ring catching the sun. “Would you like a tour?”
“Yes, please,” Jane jumps in, looking rather eager to escape the kitchen as well. “Have you guys ordered yet?”
The four guys look at each other.
“Oh my god,” she mutters. “Someone order the damn food while Carter shows us around. You’ve only been here all day!”
I decide there and then that I like her, no matter her history with Reid.
The girls follow Carter out of the kitchen, while the guys talk amongst themselves. The moment we’re away from them, it’s like I can breathe easier.
“You feel it too?” Scar nudges my shoulder. “The dominating air the four of them have that sucks up all the oxygen from the rest of us?”
“Yeah. I thought it was just me.”
She fiddles with the string of her oversized hoodie. “It’s not. You’ll get used to it. And sorry if I offended you earlier. I only meant to insult your boyfriend.”
Her bluntness takes me aback for a moment, but once the shock wears off, I can’t help but laugh. She gives me a conspiratorial grin, but it doesn’t quite reach her brown eyes.
