Monty’s voice is low and controlled, but his expression says otherwise. “Jase’s ex is living in his mother’s house?”
“It's not like that,” I say quickly. “She needed a place to stay, and the Kings’ have the space.”
“Bullshit,” Nash cuts in, glaring at Jase. “The girl is fucking insane.” His gaze meets mine. “You’re pregnant with his kid, Monroe, and if he thinks any of this is okay?—”
“She won’t be here for long,” Jase says, his tone also controlled, yet there's no sign of what he’s really feeling. “I can promise you that.” The entire time he directs his attention to my brothers, not once looking my way. I can’t tell what it is, but there’s something in his eyes that’s different. It’s like he’s embarrassed perhaps that she barged in like a fucking tornado that sped through the house wreaking havoc. Perhaps ashamed that he can’t get rid of her, and much like with his mama, he has no control where she’s concerned.
My brothers aren’t exactly known for subtlety, and Indy has a knack for lighting matches without caring if anything catches fire. Much like she’s just done.
I need to sort this out with Jase and only him. We don’t need my brothers putting in their two cents about how we should handle the situation. I stand, reaching for Monty and grabbing him by the arm.
“Thanks for stopping by, but I think it’s time we call it a night. You three,” I say, “stop acting like you get to dictate my life. I’m not fragile. I know what I'm getting into, and if I say I have it under control, I need you to trust me.”
Monty mutters something under his breath in disagreement, but listens, more out of respect for me than because he’s convinced.
Still, I can feel their eyes on us as they say their goodbyes and leave Jase and me to deal with the aftermath of what’s brewing.
By the time the last of my brothers finally leave, the house feels so empty. I’m used to having my space, to the hum of the air conditioning unit in the summer months being the only sound in the house. Or the chirp of the crickets in the nightserenading me in a lonely room, but the chatter and laughter of a full house of people who want to be together is foreign. It’s only ever been Billie, Bailey and me, laughing and enjoying our time together, getting into trouble when we see fit.
If I’m not with them, then I’m with Monty, though he usually always has something to do at work. I haven't been in the same room for so long with my brothers in what feels like a lifetime.
I’m afraid I'm getting used to it.
The house looks foreign to me. It was designed with a farmhouse aesthetic when it was first built, and it fits the type of design I specialize in and adore. The original weathered wood floors release a subtle charm, along with the sunlight streaming through the large, floor to ceiling windows, which warms the exposed brick wall behind the fireplace that’s now been painted white to match the rest of the room. The light oak color of the wooden beams match the floor perfectly, and my vision of the delicate balance of rustic charm and modern comfort, something I would have always chosen for my own home, makes me feel like more than a guest in this house.
It feels like home.
I’m in the kitchen with my hands braced against the counter, staring down at the half-empty mug of tea I’d made an hour ago and never touched, when Jase comes over.
He softly nudges me with his shoulder playfully, in a way that says I don’t know what else to say. I ease his discomfort by speaking first.
“My brothers didn’t kill Indy, so I guess that’s a win,” I say, trying to make a joke, only he’s not laughing.
He lets out a long, tired breath. “I wouldn’t blame them if they had. Trust me, the thought went through my mind.”
I turn toward him, crossing my arms. “Then why is she still here?” I take a deep breath to center myself, but it’s hard when none of this makes sense to me anymore. “You say that you toldher to leave you alone. That you won’t be going back to her, then why is she still here?”
My question catches him off guard, and I can see how much this situation is affecting him. He runs a hand over his jaw and the slight stubble that’s growing. “I wish I knew, baby. I don’t know what she and my mama have up their sleeves. I just know that this is more than her needing a place to stay. I don't know what I’m supposed to do. I can’t just tell her to kick her out, not that she’d listen if I did.”
“She says it’s temporary, but your mama still thinks my being here is temporary.”
“It’s not.”
I place a hand on his shoulder to reassure him it isn’t. “I’m not saying it is. But the entire reason we are pretending to be in a relationship is to make her believe it. Yet here she is, trying to scheme her way into getting you back with your ex, a woman she apparently approves of. If this fake relationship we’re in is meant to push Indigo away, but she isn’t leaving, then why are we still pretending?”
“It’s not,” he says, and I don't quite understand.
“What?”
“It’s not pretend. It's not temporary, Monroe. You and I are…”
“Complicated,” I finish for him. “I’m pregnant with your baby. Having your ex live next door when she’s been clear about her intentions to get you back is…” I pause, pressing my fingers to my temple. “Do you have any idea what it felt like standing there with my brothers, having them hear for the first time that she’s living here? Having her look at you as if there’s something more. They don’t trust our relationship, Jase, and this will only make it worse.”
“Monroe,” he cuts in gently, gripping my chin and forcing me to look up at him. “I don’t need them to trust anything. I want tofix things with your brothers. To make things right, the way they used to be before I fucked shit up with Nash. But I'm not worried about what they think of this. I need you to know she means nothing to me. I am with you. I’m showing up for you.”
My chest tightens, unwanted tears pricking my eyes. “Then show up for me by not putting me in situations where I feel like I have to defend you.” I know it’s unfair of me to say it, but I can't hold back. It’s not his fault that she’s here, but the fear of losing him to her is too strong to ignore.
He leans in closer, pushing me back against the counter. It seems we keep finding ourselves in the same situation. “I’ll figure something out.”
