“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” Leo comes waltzing into the kitchen and meets everyone’s gaze with his own cold stare. Once his eyes meet mine, I have to look away out of guilt. I knew I forgot to do something.
“Another Cage party that I’ve been mistakenly left off the guest list.” He takes a seat next to me and glares at everyone. “You know I’m an honorary Cage. I’d be an official Cage if one of those gorgeous men stopped lying to themselves and came out.”
My cousin Silas walks into the room then right back out when he hears the comment. It’s funny that Leo can make all the grown men in my family run in the other direction when they all claim to be badasses.
“It’s like they’re scared of dicks. News flash,” Leo raises his voice. “You have one!”
“Good to see you, Leo. You were invited. Actually, I told Emerson to invite you.”
Great, now his focus is on me. I hold my hands up in front of me and feel horrible I forgot. “I’ve had a lot going on.”
“I bet you have. Speaking of dicks, where’s your boy toy?”
“My uncles are holding him hostage in the study. He’s probably running for the hills as we speak.” I take another sip of my wine. When Leo gets up and runs out of the room, I’m thankful he’s here. “I’m glad someone gets the severity of the situation. Don’t you guys want grandkids someday? With the Cage Challenge, you’ll never get any.”
“Barbarians, all of you!” Leo laughs walking back into the kitchen a moment later. “Those hooligans kept him in there and beat him to a bloody pulp.”
“What?” I scream and jump from my seat.
“Calm your tits girl, I’m just playing.” At that moment Joss walks into the kitchen with a grin on his lips.
I remain silent and unmoving, waiting for him to make a move. If my family did anything that makes him break up with me, I’ll fuck them up.
Joss looks around the room of women, and a dopey smile spreads across his face when he notices me. “Hey, Princess. I am now in the folds.”
The room breaks out in hysterics and when Joss realizes what he said he joins in. “You know what I mean. I passed with flying colors. I have nothing to hide.”
I run to him and jump into his arms feeling extreme relief that he passed. I’m a little confused when I kiss his lips and don’t catch a hint of any liquor.
“Wait, what’s going on? I don’t smell anything.” I take an audible whiff and notice my dad walking in the room behind us with a scowl on his face.
“You may have passed, but I don’t want to see any of that shit when I’m around.”
“Then I suggest you close your eyes,” I challenge, then steer my attention back to Joss. “What’s going on? How many shots did you have to take?”
“None.” My dad answers for Joss. “Your cousins hit him with some really personal ones too. Grampy said he didn’t lie once.”
“Wow,” I whisper and kiss Joss again.
“I may be stone-cold sober, but something tells me you’ve been hitting the bottle, Miss Cage.” Joss laughs placing my feet back on the floor.
“If you thought our relationship was hanging in the balance you’d drink too.” His eyes soften, and he leads me out of the kitchen where I notice all my aunts have hearts in their eyes.
“Your cousins are starting a game of football out back.”
I pull his arm. “No way. They all cheat. If you learn one thing about this family, all the men are cheating assholes.”
“Then let’s show them how to win outright. Let’s go, princess, we already picked teams.”
Great.
Chapter 27
Emerson
“I’ll fucking kill him!” Everly yells at the top of her lungs.
“Quit your bellyaching. That was a fair tackle, and you know it.” My cousin Luca argues for his best friend, Cohen.
“Would you feel that way if I said he squeezed my tit in the process?” She cocks an eyebrow then suddenly all the men face the man in question.
Cohen’s hands raise in the air as he backs away from the group. “It was an accident, and I’m very sorry.” He says slowly, “Ev, help me out here.”
Everly remains silent with her arms across her chest. Other than this little incident, I haven’t had a night of fun like this in ages. Sure, most of my family members are cheating assholes, but I’ve come to realize I’m also a cheating asshole.
“Don’t think I didn’t notice you getting a little handsy with me, princess,” Joss growls in my ear. I turn and give him my best who me? Face and kiss his cheek.
“Fuck, Emmy, no fraternizing with the other team. How many times do we have to tell you?” Danny yells at me.
“Fuck off, Danny.” I turn to face him. “You have some nerve to yell at me when I saw you cheap shot Joss two plays ago, you cheating bastard.”
“I’m going to call the game on account of breaking up a possible melee. Plus, it’s cake time,” Mom yells from the back deck where all the parents have been watching the game and cheering for their kids.
I’m thankful the games over even if my team did come out losing. The exhaustion is setting in from my early morning gym session, and I cannot wait to go home and get some sleep.
“You okay, princess?” Joss throws his arm around my shoulders and leads me to the house.
“Tired. At least I get to sleep in tomorrow.” I rest my hand on his abs, and my fingers start tracing each little defined pack.
“We’ll head out soon. Can’t have you too exhausted in the morning. I have big plans to fuck you in the shower.”
My legs clench together involuntarily. That sounds so delicious, and I’d suggest doing that tonight if I wasn’t so dog-tired.
When we sing Happy Birthday to Uncle Kyle, I glare daggers at each and every man that was on the other team. They meet my stare and some even standoff with me. Fun fact, I never lose a stare down. Never. Even if I’d have to throw someone in an arm bar to get them to lose. Luckily that’s not the case tonight.
I finish up my cake and grab Joss’s plate to throw them away. I run into my uncle Josh on my way back and stop when he steps in front of me.
“Your dad says you showed him up in the ring the other day. Would you mind if I came down to watch you train sometime?”
“Of course, I’d love some advice. I love that move you used on Johnson, the Peruvian necktie. I’d love to learn that.”
“Of course, I’ll get your gym schedule from your dad and work in a time to get down there.” He gently squeezed my shoulder. “That’s why you’re going to succeed Em. The tabloids have you all wrong. You aren’t some cocky, I don’t give a shit fighter. Despite where you come from you are humble and take all the help you can get. That attitude will take you far.”
“Thanks.” I blush from the compliment. “It helps that I have the best role models around. I love picking your brains.”
“I’m proud of you kiddo. You’re going to go far.” Uncle Josh pulls me into him and wraps his arms around me. “Joss is a good guy. I’m glad one of the women in this family have good taste in men.”
“I know, my mom and aunts’ taste is the worst.” I laugh as his face falls. “I’m kidding.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll see you this week.” He walks away, and I finally make it back to the dining room where I left Joss.
“Thanks.” I hear Joss say to my cousin Shelby. “I’ll give you a call tomorrow to set some appointments up.”
My cousin nods and notices me in the room. She clears her throat and quickly leaves. Well, that was strange.
“You ready to get out of here?” Joss grabs my hand and pulls me onto his lap. I rest my head on his chest and nod my head. I lift it knowing I’m too nosy to let his talk with Shelby go.
“What were you talking about with Shelby?”
“I’ll tell you later. Nothing important.”
Not the answer I was looking for, but I’ll let it slide. “You’re lucky all I want to do is get in my bed and snuggle with
you.”
“We need to talk about your bed. It’s too small for the both of us. Especially when I want to fuck you the way I want. I’m always afraid I’m going to thrust too hard and send you flying off the bed.”
It’s funny because Joss came close to knocking me off the bed the other night. The thought of it has my lower belly stirring. That feeling dissipates when my mom and dad make their way over to us. My dad glares at Joss, and he shrugs not removing me from his lap.
I knew he was the right guy for me. He doesn’t put up with my dad’s bullshit.
“We’re heading out honey,” Mom says as I remove myself from Joss’s lap to hug her. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the bar. Wait until you see all the changes I made.”
“You promised,” I accuse.
“It’s my bar.” Mom shrugs.
“I’ll see you at the gym tomorrow afternoon, sweetie. Get some rest. You look exhausted.”
“I will, thanks, Dad.”
He shakes Joss’s hands as they give each other chin nods. Saying bye to my family is a process. There’s so many of us it usually takes forever. I decide yelling in each room is sufficient enough before I’m letting Joss pull me to the front door.
Aunt Soph steps in front of me and wraps her arms around me. “Take care of this one, he’s a keeper. Anyone that can make it through the study test belongs in this family, and they all know it.” I hear Uncle Josh scoff at her words, but I know it’s halfhearted.
“Thanks.”
Most of the ride to my place is made in silence. Other than Joss singing along with the radio. I reflect on the evening and find myself elated. Tonight was a success. Everyone has let me know, whether it be with words or looks, that they like Joss. Better yet, like him for me. It would have killed me if my family didn’t approve of us being together.
I look down at my phone and see a missed call from earlier. It’s a number I don’t recognize, but they left a voicemail. I cringe when I hear it. It’s the secretary of Preston Matthews. I met him when I found out I had my first fight coming up because he runs the women’s division. She tells me to be in their office at nine in the morning. I groan and catch my Joss’s attention.
“What’s the matter?”
“I’m being pulled into a meeting tomorrow. It can’t be good.”
“Doesn’t mean it’s bad.”
“It’s with Preston Matthews.”
“Still doesn’t mean it’s anything bad. Don’t freak out until you figure out what they want.”
“Do you know me at all?” I ask him already knowing I won’t be getting much sleep tonight.
We’re finally in my apartment and getting ready for bed when I hear the front door open. I walk out and close the door leaving Joss to his shower to figure out who it is. My sister is in her wheelchair being pushed through the apartment by my brother.
“Hey, guys. You need help getting ready for bed?” I ask Quinn, and she nods.
“That’s my cue to leave.” I don’t miss the fact that Danny doesn’t look me in the eye.
“Danny.” He turns at me calling for him and slowly looks me in the eye and cocks an eyebrow. “We good?”
“Yeah, we’re good. This is weird for me, and I have to get over it. My last hope was Joss facing the firing squad, and we know how that turned out.” He chuckles. “Listen, knowing my sister is doing things I don’t want to think about with my best friend is a lot to take in. Not to mention I’ve barely seen the asshole since we’ve gotten back. I understand you’re more important to him now and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s just…” He doesn’t have to say the rest. He doesn’t trust easy, and he doesn’t have a lot of friends. He’s been burned one too many times by women using him to get to Gabe or worse my dad.
“I love you. Everything will go back to normal, you’ll see.” He nods and leaves the apartment.
“I am never bringing a guy home. Not that I’m even remotely near that step with any man.” She huffs.
I wheel her to her room. “You just wait until you bring a guy home. I’ll be the one laughing. Where the hell were you tonight? I barely saw you at the party.”
“I was playing video games with Danny and Gabe upstairs. I’ll never bring a guy home if I want to keep him. If there’s anyone to even bring home someday.” Her face is somber as I help her undress for her shower.
“Stop it. You’re so hung up on your mystery man. You have to let him go.”
“I know.” I get her out of the shower and into some fresh pajamas. “I’m going to bed. Night, Emmy, thanks for all the help lately. I really appreciate it.”
“As if I’d let you fend for yourself. At least you should be walking soon.” I kiss her forehead and close her bedroom door behind me.
Quinn is hung up on the guy that saved her. I would be too if I were in her shoes. She’s been through a traumatizing ordeal, and it’s gotta be considered normal to be crushing on a real-life hero. From what she told me, he’s not too bad on the eyes either. I just wish she’d finally get over him, but I know it’s pointless to tell her so. It’s only been a week, and she needs some time.
By the time I step in my room I’m ready to pass out from sheer exhaustion. I laugh when I find Joss laying sprawled out over the entire mattress. I’m not quite sure how I’ll fit in my full-size bed but decide to tackle that endeavor after I get ready for bed. I never thought of my bed as tiny until Joss said something about it earlier.
After finishing up in the bathroom, I walk out and find one of Joss’s shirts on the chair. I pick it up and slip it over my head and raise the collar bringing it to my nose to breath in all that is his manly scent.
Completely exhausted I slip into bed beside him and push him over the best I can. Right, when I’m on the cusp of sleep, he rolls over and pulls me into him.
“Night, princess.” His breathing evens out a few minutes later, and once again he’s passed out.
“Night, Joss. Love you,” I say like a coward knowing he can’t hear me.
Chapter 28
Joss
Christ. I need to talk Em into getting some blinds for her windows if I’m going to be sleeping here. I need to check with Em on what the building’s pet policy is. I’m sure the girls wouldn’t mind if I had Felix staying with us so I can give mom a break. She loves the behemoth, but he can be a handful, and he’s my responsibility. The bottom line is I miss him and want him with me. He’s like my kid.
I’m ready to make the promise of a shower fuck a reality when I extend my arm and find cold, empty space. I pop my head up and look around the room. The bathroom door is open and the lights off. The rest of the apartment seems to be silent other than the TV in the living room. Maybe she’s watching some TV and didn’t want to wake me up?
My back cracks when I swing my legs off the bed to stand up. Yeah, we definitely need to get a better bed. A bed that will be ours. I like the idea of that. Something being ours.
I talked to Shelby last night about finding a rental to start my dream. Start my own private security firm. It’s time, and she’s a realtor in the city. I would have a hard time trusting some random person when it comes to finding what I need. She knows my requirements and already has a place in mind she thinks will be perfect.
I grab my phone and panic when I see the time. Fuck, it’s nine, and Emmy’s meeting should be starting right now. I run into the living room ready to tell her we need to leave right now, but only find Quinn chilling out on the couch.
“Morning Quinn. Where’s our girl? Shit, I can’t believe I overslept when she had that big meeting this morning. Here I thought the sun had just come up.”
“She didn’t want to wake you. She grabbed Gary to go with her.” Quinn looks down at my body. “I didn’t know we’ve become so casual.” Her cheeks flame.
I look down and realize I’m only wearing my boxer briefs. That can wait because I’m livid. She was freaking out about this meeting last night and decided to go by herself? I wanted to be there for her today, an
d she took that option away from me. We are going to be having a long talk tonight about what being in a relationship means and not to leave me the fuck out of things that are important.
“You can still make it,” Quinn offers.
She’s right. The meeting just started, and I can get there in about ten minutes. I quickly get dressed, throwing last night’s clothes on because I ran out of clean clothes the day before. A few minutes later I’m telling Quinn to call the guard in the lobby if she has a problem and I’m out the door.
In record time I’m pulling into the parking garage in downtown Boston after committing several traffic violations. I’ve been here a ton of times in the past two years helping Emmy with her training and know exactly what floor to find Preston Matthews.
The second I step off the elevator, I hang a left and walk toward Gary who’s sitting just outside a closed door. He greets me and says Emmy’s been in there for a half-hour already. I take a step in the direction of the door and stop. Emmy won’t appreciate me barging in on her meeting, but I don’t have to stew long when the door opens, and I’m surprised to find Sandy Nicholson leaving the room. She stops moving when her eyes take me in, slowly appraising me from my shoes all the way up to my face.
“Well hello there.” Sandy purrs.
I am not in the fucking mood for this. “Hey.” I eye the door waiting for my girl to come through.
“I’m Sandy, you’ve probably heard of me. I’m a kickass MMA fighter. What’s your name?” She flirts in a voice that makes me wish there were earplugs in my pocket.
“Keep his name out of your mouth if you know what’s good for you.”
And there’s my little spitfire.
Chapter 29
Emerson
“We know this is asking a lot of both of you. Coming off the hype that Emerson has created we feel this is the best plan moving forward,” Preston continues to try and convince us.
Rebel: A Brother's Best Friend Standalone Romance Page 18
