Rook huffs a laugh. “I don’t mind your feet on me, dove. I can work around you just fine. You getting the rest you need is my priority right now, anyway.”
My gaze bounces around Rook’s face, trying to detect any lie or frustration. When I don’t see anything, I scoot over until I can lie down on him. I cautiously stretch my legs out until my feet are resting on Rook.
When I’m settled, he takes the throw and spreads it over me. Remy helps by pulling it up to my shoulders and tucking it around me. Once I’m covered, Rook rests one hand on me and types with the other, not seeming to even notice a difference.
Remy runs his hand over my hair for a moment before asking, “Can I unbraid your hair? It might help with your headache.”
“Sure.” I can totally do it myself. But if a hot guy wants to play with my hair, who am I to say no?
Remy gently unbraids my hair before he starts running his fingers through it like Wren always used to do. My eyes close of their own accord as I practically melt into a puddle in his lap. Before I know it, I’m drifting off.
The last thing I hear before I fall asleep is the faint sound of footsteps, followed by Hal pressing a kiss to my forehead and whispering, “Sweet dreams, wild girl.”
“Nice of youto finally join us,” a feminine voice calls from inside what I assume is the kitchen. “Hal got here forever ago.”
I can’t see anything past Colt’s massive frame, but I can smell beef, tomatoes, garlic, and a bunch of spices emanating from the doorway in front of me. The few hours of sleep I got seemedto help with my concussion, so the smell makes my stomach rumble instead of turn.
I nervously smooth down my shirt for the millionth time as we walk into the kitchen. I briefly note the professional-grade appliances, shiny marble countertops, and natural white oak cabinets before noticing Hal and three other people scattered about the massive space.
There’s one woman with blonde hair pulled back in an effortlessly messy chignon. She looks to be in her late forties and is stirring a huge pot of something on the stove. She’s around my height and dressed in cream slacks and a lavender blouse.
The other two occupants of the kitchen, a girl and a guy, look like they’re around my age and are obviously siblings, with their matching black hair and icy blue eyes. I’d bet my bike that they’re related to Colt and Remy with how similar their coloring is.
“It’s been, like, fifteen minutes, Win,” Hal shoots back from where he’s perched on a barstool, sounding amused.
The raven-haired girl with light blue eyes, that look almost white, opens her mouth to respond before noticing me. When she does, she gasps and turns her wide-eyed gaze on Hal. “Is this her?”
Colt huffs a laugh and rolls his eyes. “Who else do you think we’d bring to family dinner, Win?”
Win grins at him before rushing over to me. She surprises me by throwing her arms around me. Even though she’s a few inches shorter than me, she’s strong enough to crush the air out of my lungs with her enthusiastic greeting.
My wide eyes meet Hal’s over Win’s shoulder. I get a glimpse of his apologetic expression before she straightens and pulls back to look at me. Her hands remain on my arms as she flashes me a giant smile.
“Oh. My. God! I’ve been waiting literally forever to meet you. You’re gorgeous! And you ride. The boys sure lucked out.” She’s practically vibrating with how excited she is. “I’m so glad you’re here! Alice and I have been fighting for our lives with all this testosterone, so it’ll be so nice to have another girl around. Do you cook? It’s totally cool if you don’t, but we can use some help if you wanna.”
It takes me a me a moment to process all her rapid-fire statements and her question. When I do, I fight the urge to blush at her calling me pretty and give her a small smile. “I’m glad to be here. And, yeah, I know how to cook a bit, so I can help. Just tell me what to do.”
Win beams at me before dashing off across the kitchen. I stare after her for a moment, wondering if I’m supposed to follow.
Before I can figure it out, Rook leans down to whisper, “You don’t have to help cook, dove. You’re our guest, so you can sit while we help out.”
I shrug. “I like being useful. Staying busy helps keep my mind off the fact that I’m meeting Hal, Colt, and Remy’s families,” I whisper back as quietly as I can, not wanting the other people I haven’t met to overhear me.
He pulls back with a soft smile as Win comes rushing back with a floral apron with ruffles on it. My lips twitch up because it’s the sort of over-the-top frilly clothes Wren would get me as a joke.
“Sorry about the apron.” Win ducks her head as she hands it to me, like she’s embarrassed by all the girlie decorations. “I wish we had something more badass to go with your all-black vibe, but at least it will keep your cute top from getting all saucy or meaty.”
I have to hold in my giggle at her calling me badass because I’m the furthest thing from it. “You’re good. I’m usually not inhead-to-toe black, other than when I ride. So, what do you need me to do?”
“You can help my littlest brother, Wes, with the garlic bread.” She hitches as thumb over her shoulder at the guy who must be Wes. Then she grabs my hand and leads me over to the woman stirring something that smells amazing. “And this is Alice, Hal’s mom. She’s the best.”
Wes sets down his chef’s knife and rolls his eyes before flashing me a half smile over his shoulder. “I’m younger than Colt and Remy, but I’m still two years older than you, Winchester. I am not your little brother. And nice to meet you, Lark.”
Win sticks her tongue out at Wes. He shakes his head at her but can’t keep the grin off his face. It’s clear how much the siblings care about each other. She then squats down to rummage in one of the lower cabinets for something.
Alice gives me a warm smile that makes her spring-green eyes light up. “It’s so nice to meet you, Lark. The boys have told us so much about you, and I look forward to getting to know you better.”
“It’s nice to meet you both, too,” I say in my cheeriest voice, like I’m not internally freaking out.
