My heart sinks, a heaviness resting on my shoulders because I know just by the way she’s looking at me, whatever caused her to be in a cast, it was terrible. I pop open the juice and have a drink.
“Cute outfit, by the way.” She smiles, I think trying to connect with me. Things are still awkward between us, and I know that’s my fault.
“Thanks.” I return her smile. “I took myself shopping this morning and got a few new things.”
“Fun.”
I huff a laugh. “It was, until Jagger turned up and… and your brother is a pain in the ass.”
She purses her lips, her features hardening. “What trouble is Jagger causing?”
“I don’t even know where to start. First he was doing all he could to get rid of me. Even this morning he told me to find some other place to live, then he turns up in the change room where I was shopping, pays for my purchases so I couldn’t, and informs me I’m now his problem to take care of. What does that even mean? He said I must always have one of them with me. Either him, Asher, or Cruz.” I slump back on the soft sofa, exhausted by it all. “Sloane, I didn’t sign up for this shit. I have spent years being told what to do, repressed. I just want to live. You get it, right?”
She rubs the back of her neck, looking uncomfortable. “I get it alright. Thing is, though, Daisy, if Jagger is acting like a controllingasshole, there is probably a good reason for it. And I’m the last person who wants to admit that, but his heart will be in the right place even if his actions maybe don’t seem like it.”
I sigh heavily, more worry creeping in. “That doesn’t make me feel any better.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not sure what is going on with him. I know he and Cruz ran into a bit of trouble last night. Maybe you’re now somehow wrapped up in that because you have been staying with them. I’m sorry if that’s the case.”
“He didn’t run into a spot of trouble; he came home with two horrific stab wounds.” I shudder, remembering the blood, so much blood.
I’m surprised when she doesn’t at all look concerned but nods like I just said it’s raining today. Something so trivial, not that her brother was nearly killed. “Cruz has a way of finding danger, I wouldn’t let it stress you too much. I’m sure Jagger has it handled. Could be why they want to watch over you, though. My brothers are a little overprotective, and now that they don’t have me to worry about, maybe they are turning their attention to you. I’ll talk to him, see if I can get him to calm the fuck down.”
“Thanks, that would be good. I don’t really know what else to do.” I want to tell her so much more, like the fact I think that Cruz seems to think I’m his girl and, oh, you know, the fact I’m pretty sure Jagger paid to have sex with me last night. But none of that seems like stuff I could discuss with their sister, even if she is the only kind-of friend I have. I sigh heavily, knowing I need to get to work.
I feel her eyes on me. She has this assessing way, a confidence, that makes me feel under scrutiny even when we’re having a friendly chat. “Are you enjoying the job? Paige says you’re a natural.”
Memories of my time here the last couple of nights come back to me. The thrill of being on stage for the first time in so long. I can’t help but smile. “I’ve had a couple of fun nights. Before I got home, anyway.”
She hops up and moves over to her computer, typing something on the keypad. “You want me to find you someplace else to live? I have other options. At least two of my other apartments are vacant at the moment. And they don’t come with roommates. I just thought this was the safest option for you.”
I stand and move over to the wall of photographs she has, considering if I want to make a move or stick it out with the boys. The images that line her wall are all of beautiful women, staring back at me with so much hope in their eyes. I wonder who they are to her. “According to Jagger, I don’t get to make that choice now.”
She raises a brow, a scowl etching her face, and I see he annoys her more than Asher does. “He’s holding you hostage in my apartment?” she snaps.
“Something like that.” I shrug, still not sure exactly what he thinks he’s doing. He’s so hot and cold, so damn confusing. And so damn gorgeous even when he’s being an infuriating grump.
She taps her long nails on the desk as she thinks. “I think Jagger might just be on a rampage this week. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but what the fuck. We girls need to stick together. He’s had a shitty week. The girl he’s been seeing for a while dropped him out of the blue, and as much as my brother doesn’t like to show his emotions, I know he’s taken it hard.”
“Oh.” Now I feel kind of bad for him, he’s hurting. Still, he could at least try to be hospitable. He doesn’t have to talk to me or anything; we could live together and just co-exist. “It doesn’t excuse the way he’s treating me,” Isnip back.
“Not at all,” she agrees. “Did you say he paid for all your new stuff this morning?”
“Yes, and do you know how pissed I am about it? I finally have my own money and was feeling so damn good about treating myself after everything I’ve had to deal with, and then he went and did a shitty thing like that.”
Her lips twist into a wicked grin. “I have never known Jagger to do anything so generous before. And here I was worried about Asher trying to get into your pants.” She huffs out a laugh.
“What?” I ask, kind of confused by what she’s implying.
“Daisy, my big brother clearly has a soft spot for you, even if he hasn’t worked it out himself yet. Maybe he’s not as heartbroken as I thought.”
I stare back at her, blinking a few times as I try to take in what she’s saying. “The man hates me and has done everything he can to show it since I arrived. Cruz is the one going around telling people I’m his girl when it couldn’t be further from the truth. Something about you telling him to watch out for me, and in his mind, that means I am his to protect.”
She bursts out laughing this time, her roller chair sliding back as she gets to her feet. “Oh my God, Daisy, I’m so sorry. I thought my brothers were mature adults. But maybe not. I will see what I can do to find you somewhere else to live, and I’ll talk to Jagger.”
“It’s so not funny.” I half smirk back, seeing my situation from her perspective. It must look hilarious.
“I know. It’s just when you have known them as long as I have, it kind of is.” She moves through her office, opening the door for me. “I’ll fix this. Just go enjoy your shift and make some more big money.”
