“Do you think I’m selfish?” she whispered against my chest.
“Honestly? I don’t know you well enough,” I told her, and felt her stiffen. “But Ava does, and she’s really fucking loyal, so I’m going to trust her judgment.”
Red stepped back as she rubbed her nose. “Well, her current loyalties leave a lot to be desired,” she said.
Looking over to the bathroom door, I pulled my phone out of my pocket. “I give him ten more minutes,” I said gruffly.
“You give him too much credit.” Red dropped onto the sofa. “He’ll already be downstairs.”
She was probably right. This was a shitshow, and I wasn’t sure how to fix it. My mediation skills were usually between my cousins, not girls.
“Okay, I can fix this.” Crossing the room, I knocked on the bathroom door. “Yo, little slugger,” I called through the door. “Come out.”
I heard Ava’s reluctant laugh, and then the door opened. She looked past me at Red warily.
“Okay, we have about ten minutes before one or both twins come through the door,” I told her diplomatically. Ava looked like she was going to object. “Ava, trust me, you aren’t gettingaway from him. He’s in protective mode; the guy will sleep in here if you don’t leave.”
“You make him sound like a crazy person,” Ava mumbled as she shoved her hands in her jean pockets.
“Because he is,” I told her honestly, and I heard Red agree. “Now, you two need to take — wait, how long have you known each other?”
“Since we were four,” Red spoke from the couch.
“Right, one shit fit from Jett isn’t going to fuck you up now, is it?” I looked between the two of them. I focused on Red, my hand gesturing to Ava. “She cried when you were singing, she was so proud of you. And you,” I turned to Ava, “she let me redecorate your home so you would be safe and not worry about her.”
“Iknewit wa—” Red was on her feet.
“Shush, we can fight another time. You have enough people against you just now. Parkthisfight with me when you have more energy and allies.” I looked between them. “Girls . . . don’t let me down, you know I’m right. Now, let’s have a hot threesome and move on.”
My joke worked, and they both started laughing as I waggled my eyebrows.
“I don’t mean to always leave you,” Red spoke up.
“I don’t mean to wander off,” Ava admitted. “I know I’ve dived deep into this with Jett, and it’s strange, but he’s . . .”
“The love of your life, I know.” Red smiled before she frowned again. “And I really hate what’s happening to Quinn, but I’m not going back to that house,” she added with a stubborn glare my way.
“We know, we didn’t expect a miracle. Well, Gray did, but he’s not thinking too clearly right now,” I said as I observed the two beds in the bedroom. “I’m never going to fit in there.”
“Why would you need to fit?” Red asked me curiously. When she saw my face, she groaned. “Seriously? You can’t stay with me.”
“Yes, I can. I needed Ava to make admin think you were both here. Her job’s done. Jett will be outside . . .” I checked my phone and saw his message.
Jett:Is it done?
Me:Yup
“So, hug, kiss, tongues are fine if you must, and then Red, you can tell me about your set today while I find the game.”
Red was staring at me in confusion. “You planned this?”
“No, that’s ridiculous, that makes me a genius or something.” I grinned at her. “I just adapted to the current situation.”
“I want to hear about the set too,” Ava said as she crossed the room and sat beside Red.
“Psycho is outside,” Red reminded her.
“Yeah, well, my boyfriendismost likely the love of my life like you said, but he was a dick to you, so he can wait.”
