The Marked Men Series Books 1–6: Rule, Jet, Rome, Nash, Rowdy, Asa. Jay Crownover
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She called Ayden for a ride and ran out for breakfast while she waited. I dunno, man, she didn’t seem all swoony in love or stalker pissed-off, she just seemed like normal Shaw. Granted, I always thought she kinda had a thing for you.”
I turned to him with a look of bewilderment. “What?”
“She puts up with your shit no matter how bad it is. Don’t you remember that one New Year’s she showed up to get you and you brought home the redhead and her friend? That was a freak show and Shaw didn’t even blink, she just tossed you your pants and told you to get it together. She lets you be all moody, surly, and grumpy and doesn’t even bat an eye—and trust me, dude, that shit gets old superfast. She’s willing to go to battle with the only parents she’s known to show her any love because she wants them to treat you right and quit blaming you for Remy’s death. She isn’t doing any of that for Margot or Dale, and she sure ain’t doing it for Remy. The only person any of that benefits is you. Even as stubborn and self-involved as you are, you have to be able to see that.”
“But she’s Shaw. Perfect Shaw. Even when she was little she was untouchable and aloof. She would be over at the house all the time with Remy and every time I said anything or did anything she would just look at me like I was an idiot.”
He snorted. “You were an idiot. You don’t remember being sixteen? We were a nightmare and never very nice to her. You made fun of her hair, teased Remy mercilessly about spending all his time with her, you were an ass.”
“I was?”
“Dude, you still totally are. And Shaw is Shaw. She’s so freaking beautiful it hurts to look at her sometimes, but she doesn’t even know it. She’s still untouchable because she’s always going to be richer and smarter than we are, but she doesn’t care about any of that. She’s cool, she doesn’t care that you’re just you, and honestly, Rule, any chick who can put up with the headache that is you, well I’d put a goddamn diamond on her finger.”
I punched him in the shoulder. “I’m not that bad.”
He gave me a look. “Yeah, you are. Think about it; it only took seeing her dressed as a sexy referee to get you to notice she was an actual girl after all this time. You suck.”
“But, man oh man, did she look good in that outfit.”
“See, total suckage. So what are you going to do now, call her?”
“I don’t know. Rome is coming to town, and since I like my privates located where they are I need to keep this on the down low. I don’t think she’ll say anything to him.”
“Probably not. She knows it would drive your crazy mom right over the edge.”
“Yeah.”
“So.” He paused and gave me a pointed look. “Was it worth screwing everything up?”
I let my head fall back on the couch and stared up at the ceiling. “It so totally was.”
I had had the best sex of my life with a girl I had thought was way out of my league and in love with my dead brother. Yeah, Nash was probably right, if anybody could put up with all the crazy I was rocking I should probably lock her in quick because even I could see how seriously screwed up I am.
CHAPTER 6
Shaw
“Stop looking at me like that.” I fiddled with my hair and adjusted the scarf I had around my neck. Rome was looking at me like he was trying to see inside my head and I didn’t like it one bit. I ignored his calls all day Sunday because I was still trying to get my head around the fact that I had drunkenly demanded Rule take my virginity and I had been sore—from both the booze and the bed acrobatics. I had a test Monday and had to work a closing shift, and on Tuesday I did a volunteer shift at the children’s hospital and suffered through an ungodly dinner with my father and his new wife. Rome had been forced to wait until today to take me on my belated birthday dinner. Ever since I’d sat down he had been peering at me intently and I had to keep checking to make sure that the scarf was covering the lovely hickey Rule had left Saturday night. I’d gotten enough flak from Ayden about it and I didn’t need Rome joining in on the “Shaw Is an Idiot” bandwagon.
“It’s the hair. It’s nice but I’m just used to the all blond. You look different, more mature.”
“Thanks, I like it.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in jeans, either.”
“I went shopping for my birthday. I decided that the pearls and heels didn’t need to be worn every time I left the house. I have plenty for when it’s time to play society maven for the folks.”
“Speaking of birthdays, I brought this from Mom and Dad.” He handed me a little bag and I set it on the table between us.
“Your mom won’t talk to me; I tried to call her the other day.”
“She’s having a hard time now that you laid down the law. She always viewed you as an ally in the ‘Rule Needs to Get His Act Together’ war. She just doesn’t see what she’s doing to him, to us.”
I sighed. “I know. That’s why I had to stop.”
“This is from me.” He gave me a gift certificate to my favorite bath and body store. I smiled and gave him a big hug. I just love this guy; he looks like a warrior, but he has such a good heart.
“Thank you, Rome, this is so sweet. I’m so glad you’re home.”
“Me, too, little girl. I tried to get Rule to come out but he had a late client. He was grumbling about having to draw yet another Harry Potter tattoo or something. I guess I forget he actually works.”
I peeked inside the bag—it was a picture. Margot had found one of the very first pictures taken of me and Remy and put it in a lovely silver frame. I was so small and awkward and Remy was so tall and handsome—we looked ridiculous. It was a sweet gesture and it brought tears to my eyes. I showed it to Rome and slid it back into the bag.
“I miss him every day,” I said.
“I do, too. I miss the way he made everyone act right.”
I laughed a little and sipped some of my iced tea. “Yeah, he was good at policing the way everyone treated each other. He didn’t tolerate any of the silliness we tend to allow.”
“Rule said he’s run into you a couple times, how was that?”
I cleared my throat and willed the scarlet blush that had been accompanying Rule’s name all week to stay at bay. “Kinda weird. He came into the bar I work at with a bunch of friends on a game day. It’s strange to interact with each other like normal people.”
He nodded and I noticed the waitress openly checking him out when she dropped off our dinner. “He told me you’ve been having some issues with your ex.”
I groaned and gave my head a shake. “He has a big mouth.” Among other things, but I wasn’t going to let my dirty mind go there.
“So what’s the deal, little girl?”
I made a face and shoved a bite of pasta into my mouth. “Rule already talked to him, so did the enormous ex-marine who bounces at the bar. Gabe’s just a spoiled guy who isn’t used to rejection. He’s having trouble hearing me say no.”
“Is he still calling you?”
I didn’t want to lie so I tried to change the subject. “What did the doctor say about your shoulder?”
He narrowed his eyes at me and picked at his own food. “He thinks I need to up my physical therapy and if that doesn’t work I might need a second surgery; either way I’ll be home longer than I thought.”
“Well, that’s good isn’t it?”
He shrugged