And she didn’t kick me out.
MILLER
Gabrielle.
Why is Rookie McGee in your kitchen?
ME
Why did you call me Gabrielle?
Wait, how do you know who is in my kitchen?
“Honey, I’m home,” Miller shouts from downstairs.
Fuck.
I roll onto my back, staring at the ceiling and recalling the events of last night. Talking to Chase at the bar. Him showing up drunk on my doorstep after midnight.
I still need to know how he got my address.
Him demanding to know if Miller was here. If Miller and I were together. Me leaving him to sleep on the couch despite a perfectly good guest room upstairs. The last part makes me smile because it’s petty, but I love it.
The distant murmurs of voices remind me Miller is in the kitchen with Chase right now. I guess I can’t avoid the conversation forever. Sitting up, I stretch my arms over my head and debate my next move. I’m wearing my favorite silk camisole sleep set. Definitely not going downstairs in this.Deciding the boys can wait, I crank the shower on high and step into the billowing steam.
Twenty minutes later, I’m freshly showered and ready for the day in my favorite pair of jeans and a nice shirt. Did I do my hair and makeup? Yes. Was it for armor or because Chase is downstairs? I haven’t decided.
“There she is,” Miller says when I reach the bottom of the stairs.
“What’s going on in here?” Chase sits on a barstool at the island, sipping orange juice while Miller leans against the sink on the other side with his arms crossed.
“We’re just having a little chat. Rook was surprised when I let myself in this morning.” Miller fills a glass with water and passes it to me when I join them in the kitchen. Chase’s eyes bounce back and forth between us. “I was just as surprised to find him asleep on your couch.”
“What are you doing here?” I ask. “Where are your parents?”
Miller doesn’t see his parents as often as he would like, so I’m surprised to see him here mid-morning instead of spending time with them.
“We went to an early breakfast and then they left for Seaside Pines,” Miller says, wrapping me in a hug. I’m keenly aware of Chase’s glare as Miller tightens his arms. “You know they like to go there after the event.” His family vacationed in the small coastal North Carolina town of Seaside Pines every summer. Even after his sister passed, they kept going, sometimes even in the offseason.
Ignoring Chase, I burrow deeper into Miller’s hug. “A beach vacation sounds nice.” There’s something about a brotherly hug that settles a girl.
“We can go anytime you want, Gabbina.”
Chase clears his throat and accuses. “So, you two are together?”
“Why do you care?” Miller looks over at him, releasing me.
“Just answer the question. You seem awful chummy for two people who are supposed to be friends.” He’s fuming.
“Why. Do. You. Care?” Stepping to the counter, Miller places his fist down on the top and stares Chase down.Hello, protective big brother.But Chase doesn’t take it that way.
“Were you together on the island?” Chase pushes harder.
“Are you implying I slept with you after myboyfriendleft the bar? Or worse, that my boyfriend left me at the bar with a strange man I was clearly flirting with?” The audacity on this man.
“Yeah, I’m going to stop you right there, Rook.” Miller raises his palms, likely knowing I’m about to make a big deal of his attitude. “Gabby is my girl. But she’s notmy girl. You catch my drift?”
“So, you’re not together?” Chase’s suspicious eyes bounce between us.
