I ruthlessly smother the envy because there’s no one in the world who deserves happiness more than Charlie. She deserves a whole bunch of guys who absolutely worship the ground she walks on, unlike the dickheads she’s been with in the past. If Hal, Rook, Azrael, and the other two can be that for her, then I’ll be beyond happy for her.
Besides, it’s not like I’m in the market for a relationship, or multiple, at the moment. I don’t know how I could trust another man again.
“That’s Hal,” I whisper, trying to keep my inner turmoil from my voice.
“That’s him?” She looks at me with raised brows. I nod. She stares back at the four men, but without interest in her gaze anymore. “Fuck yes, girl. You should definitely be tapping that. Who are the others?”
My cheeks burn. Hopefully they didn’t hear that.
Even though Charlie said it quietly, shifters can hear from a much longer distance than humans. With the way Hal and Rook are laughing and shoving each other as they walk over, I don’t think they’re paying attention. “The one in the black sweatshirt is Rook. I don’t know who the other two are.”
The two mystery men are almost identical, so they must be twins. They both have jet-black hair, ice-blue eyes, broad shoulders, and muscles straining against their hoodies. They’re an inch or so taller than Hal and Rook, making them around six-foot-five.
The one in the navy hoodie and black jeans has his dark hair trimmed shorter and styled with the tips slightly spiked. His twin, in a forest green sweatshirt and faded blue jeans, has longer hair that’s messy and falls into his startlingly blue eyes.
When the one with the longer hair makes eye contact with me, he sprints over, closing the gap in less than a second. He wraps me up in a bear hug that I don’t have time to avoid. I stiffen in his hold, but he doesn’t seem to notice it. “It’s so good to finally meet you! I’ve been waiting forever, and you’re even better than I imagined!”
I have no idea what he’s talking about and wonder if he has me mixed up with someone else. Unsure what to do, I give him a pat on the back. My wide eyes meet the other black-haired man.
He gives me an apologetic smile before hauling his brother off me by his hood. “Sorry ’bout Remy. My twin’s a little overeager around new people.”
Remy sees the look his brother is giving him and his eyes widen. He ducks his head and rubs the back of his neck as his cheeks flush slightly. After a moment, he glances up at me through his thick lashes. “Uh, yeah. Colt’s right. I’m an awkward motherfucker around new people. Sorry.”
A genuine smile curves my lips at his admission. “You’re fine. As Charlie can attest to, I’m also a super awkward person, so you’re in good company.”
“Oh, yeah.” Charlie bobs her head up and down enthusiastically. “Jojo here is just about the most awkward person you’ll ever meet. If you ever need a good laugh, I can tell you all about her adorkable middle school years.”
I lightly shove my elbow into her stomach and turn to glare at her. “Share those stories, and there won’t be anything left of your body to find, Charles.”
Coop was the one who started calling her Charles to annoy her. Now I use it whenever I’m peeved.
The last thing the four stupidly hot guys in front of us need to hear are tales of my embarrassing middle school years.
Charlie gives me an innocent look. “No need to be so violent, Joseph.”
I roll my eyes at her because we both know she’s just as violent as I am, if not more so. I can’t help my grin at her teasing, though. She gives me a broad smile in return before I turn back toward Hal.
His eyes dance with mirth as he watches our interaction. “I’ll keep that in mind. Whatcha been up to tonight, wild girl?”
“We’ve been doing a photoshoot of me and my bike, mildly against my will, for the past eight million hours.” I’m exaggerating, but I don’t really care. It feels like it’s been forever.
Charlie huffs. “It hasn’t been that long, you dramatic Dorothy.”
Before I can retort, Hal chimes in. “Can I see the pictures?”
I want to refuse because I hate looking at myself. All I can see are my flaws. The too-long face, too-green eyes, too-wild hair, too-slim frame, too-plain features, and so many more things wrong with me.
But Charlie is an amazing photographer who doesn’t get to show off her talent often. I’m not going to let my self-criticism get in the way of her getting to hear just how awesome she is.
I sigh. “Yeah, sure.”
“Really?” Charlie turns hopeful eyes to me. I give her a small nod. She grins and tackles me in a huge hug. “You’re the best!”
She excitedly runs over to the guys and pulls out her camera.
They all crowd around her to get a good look at them.
I wander over behind the five of them, trying to peek between Hal and Rook without blocking anyone’s view.
