“The jury’s still out on that one,” she says, but she takes a step toward me.
I extend my hand, and after a brief hesitation, she takes it. Her fingers are cold from the night air, and I resist the urge to bring them to my lips. Instead, I nod to her other hand, still bandaged but healing. “How’s your hand?”
“Only hurt a few times tonight when I flexed too hard.”
I nod. “Beast mode problems, am I right?”
She laughs and the sound is absolute music to my ears. “Totally.”
We walk inside together and the second we step into the kitchen where the guys are seated at the table, it happens.
The shift.
Five heads turn almost in sync, and instead of confusion, there’s immediate grins, raised brows, and way too much interest.
“Uh… hi.” Sutton waves, a little unsure of what to say to everyone.
Jake recovers first, of course. “Distraction was accurate, Bishop. That explains everything.”
I shake my head. “Don’t start.”
“Oh, I’m starting,” he says, smirking as he leans back in his chair. “So glad you decided to join us, Sutton. Pull up a chair.”
Sutton pauses just inside the front door her weight shifting slightly like she’s deciding whether to step in or step right back out again but I squeeze her hand to let her know it’s okay.
“Hey, Sutton,” Bishop greets her, giving her a small wave. “Welcome home. We promise we’re less chaotic tonight than move-in day.”
“That’s a lie,” Kyler mutters.
“Bold-faced lie,” Boone adds.
Orry gestures toward the table. “We’ve upgraded from manual labor to gambling. Much more our speed.”
Sutton’s lips twitch, the beginning of a smile she’s trying to hide.
Jake points a chip at me. “You’re just in time. Your boy’s getting absolutely destroyed.”
“I’m not?—”
“You folded three hands in a row,”Bennett cuts in.
“Fuck you. That’s strategy.”
“Or fear,” Boone says.
Sutton glances at me, amused now, the tension in her shoulders easing just a fraction. “Wow,” she says, glancing at me. “Weren’t you just singing a different tune outside?”
“What?” I shake my head. “No. You must’ve misheard me.”
She laughs. “Ah. I see. I’ll add Q-Tips to my shopping list.”
“Did he tell you he’s good at this?” Jake asks, gesturing between Sutton and me. “Because if he did, he’s totally lying.”
“Careful,” I warn.
“Oh, I’m being careful,” he says, grinning. “I just think she deserves to know what she’s dealing with.”
Sutton huffs out a quiet laugh and gestures toward the kitchen. “Do you guys need anything? Drinks or?—”
