Page 5 of April’s Fool

“Nobody, just a guy from school.” It wasn’t exactly a lie. It’s just not someone I wanted to talk to or tell about.

“A guy? Who?” Mercy demands. “You didn’t tell us you were seeing anyone.”

“I’m not,” I tell her. “We’re working on a project for a class we have together. He was checking whether I stayed on campus this week or gone home. It’s due next Friday.” A total lie. Well, not completely. There is a project, and it’s due the week we get back from break, but I’m not working on it with anyone. It’s just me, and I already have mine completed and turned in.

“Oh, okay,” Mercy says, now watching me closely as well.

Kayla and Twister stay silent, but I feel their eyes like lasers on me. I swear, sometimes it’s eerie how alike they all are.

A throat clears behind us, and I twist to see the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. I thought it when I saw him outside when they first got here, and I can’t help but think it now, even with glitter still shimmering on him, though he has changed shirts.

“You need something, Fool?” Twister asks.

I take a quick glance at the patch, which indeed shows the handsome man’s name is Fool. It makes me wonder how in the world he got a name like that.

“Yeah, wanted to meet the brains behind the sneak attack on my room.”

Twister nods and points to each of us. “This one is my daughter, Mercy. Next to her is my niece, Kayla. Then, on the end, you have my other daughter, April.”

Other daughter?

Seriously?

I whip my head around to look at Mercy’s dad. Did he seriously just do that?

“All three of them are off-limits. Spread that to your brothers. If they get an eye on any of them, they won’t like what will happen.”

“Daddy,” Mercy snaps.

“Uncle Twister,” Kayla hisses.

I stare at him in shock. I don’t plan to pursue any of the guys who visit or are involved with this club. The men here are like family—brothers or cousins. Although I realize this good-looking man is just a guest and I might feel tempted, but I won’t do anything. Still, I wouldn’t mind getting to know him. However, part of me definitely wishes to . . . but I should stop thinking about that.

I’m still a virgin for a freaking reason, and I’m sticking to it. I’m not going to be like my mom, who didn’t mind spreading her legs for any man who would have her. That’s not who I am. I made a promise to myself as a little girl that I’d never be like her. I wouldn’t give something so special away and keep doing it for just anyone. It’s important that someone wants me for me, not because of what’s between my legs.

“Wouldn’t disrespect your club like that,” Fool remarks. “Just wanted to tell these three it was a good prank. Pissed me off at first. Don’t appreciate looking like I got rubbed up on by a stripper, but it was a good one. Granted, I’m sure they could’ve come up with something better than shaving cream and glitter, from what I’ve heard.”

“Don’t give them any idea they could do better,” Twister grunts. “Need them to clean up the mess?”

“Nah, Cannon got one of the prospects to clean it up.” Fool smirks. “Just glad it ain’t me.”

Mercy and Kayla both snicker as I do my best not to stare at him like an idiot.

“Right,” Twister remarks, moving toward Fool. “You’re Hazard’s brother, the one who was⁠—”

“Yeah,” Fool interrupts Twister with a curt nod. “I got out, and Hazard recruited me. Just got my cut not long ago. Hence the reason I’m glad not to be the one doing the cleaning, and one of the prospects is doing it.” He grins and gives a fake shiver. “Glitter.”

The way he spills a single word from his lips makes me and others giggle.

I glance out of the corner of my eye at Twister to see him watching Fool closely, unfazed by Fool’s attempt at humor. “Got some brothers here, more than you’d think who served. If you need a sit-down with any of them, they’ll be willing to talk and listen.”

It takes me a minute, but I realize what they’re talking about. From the look on Fool’s face, it’s not something he seems to appreciate being brought up. Still, he nods.

“Appreciate it, but I’m good,” Fool says calmly.

“Food’s ready.” We all turn toward Kenny as she comes around the side of the building. “Kayla, can you and Mercy run over to the house and grab the box by the front door while April helps us set out the rest of the food?” she asks.

Please don’t let that box be for me. The last thing I want is for them to give me anything. They’ve already done enough.