“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
I bit my lip as warm fuzzies formed in my stomach. “Sometimes I feel like you and Daisy are the only ones who get me.”
“Maybe we’re the only two you show your real self to.”
“Maybe we’re the only twoto whomyou show your real self,”I mimicked, correcting his grammar in a sing-song voice.
Cash laughed, taking my hand, and tugging me to him. “Talk to your parents, Turtle.”
“I’ll think about it.” I sighed, sliding my hands up his back and burying my face in his chest. “Now, shut up and pour me a shot of that plausible deniability.”
With one last squeeze, he released me and opened the bottle of tequila.
* * *
Cash
The next morning, I dropped Teagan at home before heading to my sister’s condo. I needed to have a conversation with my sister about her putting her safety at risk.
My brother, Archer, met me at her front door and the second she pulled it open, I growled, “What the hell, Ducky? Why the fuck were you at Elixir without us at your back?”
Without warning, my face was suddenly shoved into the wall, and one arm was forced behind my back. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” a deep voice snarled.
Daisy gasped, Archer pulled out his gun, and I just chuckled.
“Oh my god, Arch, put that away.” Daisy turned to the guy behind me, reaching for his arm. “It’s okay, Huck, these are—”
Before she could say anything further, cell phones pealed in the silence of the hallway.
I rolled my shoulders. “Get the fuck off me, man.”
“No,” Huck snapped.
“Hi, Mama,” Daisy breathed out as Archer said, “Hey, Pops.”
I heard my dad’s voice coming through the phone, but Archer walked away while Daisy continued to speak with our mother.
“Hold on, Mom,” she said, and then, “Huck, that’s my brother, Cash. Can you please let him go?”
He gave me one more shove before releasing me, and I scowled as I pushed off the wall.
“Thank you,” Daisy said, then went back to her call. “Okay, Mom, it’s all good now. Can I call you back? Yes, Archer’s talking to Daddy now.” She sighed. “Will you please talk him down off the ledge?” She glanced Huck’s way. “Daddy absolutely doesnotneed to come here. No. I have finals next week and I have to study. If he comes down here beating his chest, just like Cash and Archer did, then I’m going to lose my ever-loving shit, and I’ll be forced to forget I’m a lady.”
I raised an eyebrow as my sister mean mugged me, waiting to see if she backed it up with words.
“Okay, Mama. Thanks.” She smiled. “Love you, too. Bye.” She hung up and slid her phone into her pocket, then crossed her arms. “Cash, this is Huck. Huck, meet Cash.”
We both glared at each other, and Daisy sighed. “Jesus, why can’t I just have quiet, meek men in my orbit?”
Archer came jogging up a few seconds later and Daisy turned to him. “Did you talk him down?”
He shrugged. “Not sure.”
She threw her hands in the air and let out a frustrated squeak. “Big brothers, get inside. Now.” Turning to Huck with a grimace, she said, “Huck, I’m sorry these two idiot-sticks dragged you into our family drama. They’re good guys, well, mostly. But I’m sure you have more important things to do than worry about me and my dumbass siblings. I’m so sorry they wasted your time.”
I followed my siblings inside, and Daisy turned on us. “Oh my god, if I had time to murder both of you, I would.”
“Who’s the douche?” I asked.
