“I couldn’t say no.”

“Why? It’s easy, you open your—”

“Yeah, smartass, but he’s been giving me money,” I admit. And wow, aren’t I a Chatty Cathy today.

“You little shit,” she groans. “Are you serious? Don’t you know he is doing this to trap you? He doesn’t do it ’cause he loves you. He doesn’t know how to love, Jace.”

Did I mention that everyone hates my dad? I think I did. “I know, but I needed it.”

“Man, I am speechless. Jude and Jayden are gonna skin you, and I’m just gonna stand there, holding the knives.”

“Lucy! Five minutes ago, I was your favorite. Plus, I’m watching your kid.”

She pauses. “And you’re the best for that. But really, dude? Come on.”

“I hear you. Tell me what to do. Should I tell Mom? Jude and Jayden?”

“Um, no. You are insane!”

“Then what do I do?”

“You test my patience, I swear. I’ll do it.”

“What?”

“You’re watching my kid. I’ll tell them.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, but I’m not paying you for watching her, for one. And two, you owe me another day.”

Relief floods me, but then it’s followed by a bit of guilt. I did this. Shouldn’t I handle it? “I love you, Luce.”

“You better. But don’t worry, Mom will handle it fine. But Jude and Jayden, woo…that’s gonna be bad.”

“Thanks, really. And I’ll see you in a bit,” I say just as the door opens and Avery pops her head in. Flashing me a quirky grin, she shuts the door, dropping her bag before coming over to the bed as my lips turn up. She looks hot in a pair of jeans and a rocker tee that hangs off her shoulder. There is something about that shoulder that gets me every time. It’s so hot. She’s so hot.

“Okay, I would thank you, but I’m pretty sure I’m helping you more than you are me,” Lucy says.

Climbing the ladder to my bed, Avery crawls over to me, lying on top of me with her chin in the middle of my chest. “You’re right. I love you.”

“Love you more, dumbass.”

Hanging up, I lean down, framing Avery’s face with my hands before kissing her hard against her lips. “Hey, you.”

“Hey,” she says against my lips. “Your girlfriend?”

I chuckle, as she does this a lot. “Jealous Jenna,” I tease and she grins. “My sister. The only girlfriend I have doesn’t like labels.”

Rolling her eyes, she groans, “Jeez, I just walked in, and we are doing this now?”

“Yup, I’m unpausing now.”

“But I want to cuddle,” she complains, squeezing me before she nuzzles her nose against my neck. “Talk later, cuddle now.”

I let out a breath with an eye-roll. “You need to work on your communication skills.”

She gives me a cheeky grin before pressing her lips against mine. Melting against her, I feel like a weak ass. She knows exactly what to do to get my mind off anything else. Her lips are magic like that; I just wish she’d use them to talk instead of driving me wild with lust. Dropping her legs to the sides of my hips, she straddles me in the most delicious way. My fingers bite into her shoulders as she moves against me. I’m hard instantly, and fuck, I want her.

But really, when is there a time I don’t want her? This girl is wild, and sex with her is the best thing I’ve ever experienced in my life. There isn’t a moment I don’t want her or crave her. But I know if I let this go too far, I won’t make it in time to get Angie.

Pulling away, I wrap my arms around her neck, holding her close, her nose pressing into mine.

“I can’t do this right now.”

Her brow quirks. “No?”

“Nope, I’ve got a date.”

That makes her smirk. “Yeah, with me.”

For someone who doesn’t want to categorize shit, she sure is territorial. “I’m watching my niece today. My sister just called and asked.”

“Aw, sweet. So…”

“So, you should come. Angie is awesome.”

“Really? You don’t care?”

“Um, no. I want you to.”

She smiles. “I want to, too.”

“Good. Now get off me before I tear your pants off and have my way with you,” I demand, pushing her off me. Her laughter fills the room as I sit up to jump off the bed, but she stops me before I can go too far.

“I suck. I know.”

I grin as I nod. “Yeah, really good too, and I want it, but—”

“Jace!” she shrieks, smacking me, and I shake with laughter. “I mean, about communication. I know this.”

My laughter dies off as I shrug. “You’re getting better…”

“No, I’m not,” she says dryly. “Don’t sugarcoat my faults.” I shrug and she looks down. “It’s just…I never had to communicate before because no one ever listened.”

She doesn’t give me much info about her family. I know they are douches who didn’t see the star I see but nothing else. She keeps that locked up tight. So when she lets little things like that out, I not only file away the information, but I do everything I can to make her see that I’m not like them. That I want to know and I want to listen.

That I couldn’t ignore her if I tried.

“I understand that, but something has got to give, Avery,” I say honestly. I look at her, waiting for her to freak a bit. She always gets this look in her eyes, and it alarms me a little. But instead, she nods as I say, “I feel kinda one-sided here.”

She shakes her head. “Don’t. Please don’t.”

“Trying.” With a small laugh, I climb off the bed, my feet hitting the ground.

“And I know that you’re different, but still, it’s hard.”

I reach into my drawer, getting a pair of wind pants and a tee. “I get it, I do. But you gotta remember, I’m not that douche canoe, and I’m not your family. I’m amazing, remember?”

She grins as she nods. “Yeah, you don’t let me forget that.”

“Good, just making sure.” I grin before throwing my shirt on. “But all this can wait. I have to go get the girl who holds my heart.”