Fight Me(15)

“Avery, why don’t you call the guys all in here for dinner?” Mrs. Stevens turns to me as Avery leaves the room. “Sorry it’s just burgers and dogs tonight. I usually make a large meal but I didn’t want Avery’s new house trashed any more than it already is. Sometimes using the grill is the simplest way.”

“No worries here. I love hamburgers.”

Several guys start filing into the kitchen at that moment, so I take that opportunity to step away from the island, back and out of the way. I recognize Jake’s dad, Michael, right away. He’s much older and graying a little at the temples, but he still has the same, friendly demeanor that he had when I was in seventh grade.

“You must be Erin. I’m Will, one of Jake’s brothers - the middle child actually.” Will is almost as tall as Jake, but not nearly as broad. He has the same blue eyes, but he wears glasses. He has the bookworm look to him that I can relate to instantly.

“Hi, Will. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Likewise.” We’re joined quickly by another tall guy with the same blue eyes but light brown hair.

“I’m Travis, the youngest brother. Nice to meet you,” he says as he extends his hand.

“Hello.”

“And that one over there already digging into the food is Nate. You might remember him from school,” Will throws in.

“Yeah, I think he was a year younger than me.”

Just then my attention is drawn to the doorway when Jake and Maddox walk in. They’re both tall with broad shoulders and radiate authority. Jake’s eyes crash into mine and it feels like the room shifts. Why do I have this reaction to him? It’s Jake Stevens for crying out loud. That’s just it. It’s Jake Stevens. Tall, tone, and devastatingly handsome. He’s also the one person I despise the most.

I look away quickly as the rest of the family dives into the food set out on the island buffet-style. Avery is making a plate for Brooklyn, and Will and Travis are putting folding chairs up around the kitchen.

“Better get up there and make a plate before these guys grab all the food.” I turn to face a very good looking guy. He’s not as tall as the Stevens’ boys or as broad. He has softer, gentler features, and he’s honestly pretty hot. “Hi. I’m James.”

“I’m Erin. Nice to meet you.” So this is James, huh? Not bad. The problem is that even though he rates pretty high on the hot-o-meter, I don’t feel any reaction to him. Not to the feel of his eyes on my body. Not to the feel of his hand holding mine as we shake hands. Nothing.

“You too. I hear you had some troubles with your sink. Did you get it fixed?”

Before I can answer, I sense a presence approach behind me. My entire body is hyper-aware of Jake’s presence. It’s like my spidey-sense goes off and things start to tingle. “She’s all set. I helped her out and took care of it.” Jake’s tone is a little clipped with a no-nonsense edge to it.

James smiles at me, then at Jake. “Well, I’m glad she’s all fixed up. If you ever need help again, you are welcome to call me. I’m just down the road from you.”

“She’ll be fine, James. I got it.” Well, now he’s just pissing me off.

“I can answer for myself, Jake.” I turn towards James and give him a friendly smile. “Thank you so much for the offer. It’s nice to have someone close who can help if I should ever need it.”

James looks back and forth between me and Jake several times before he laughs and gives me a little nod as he walks away to grab some food.

“Why did you do that?” I demand under my breath so we don’t attract attention from his family.

“Do what?”

“Take charge of my life and make that decision for me. I might need his help someday. You don’t get to make the choice of who helps me and who doesn’t.”

“Darlin’, you don’t want his help, trust me.”

“Why not? He seems like a nice enough guy.”

“Oh, he’s nice enough. But he’s just looking for something he can’t have.”

“And what is that?” I spit back at him.

“You.” Jake never takes his eyes off of mine, burning straight through my corneas.

“And why can’t he have me? I don’t belong to anyone.”

He leans in so that we’re almost nose to nose. I can feel his breath against my lips and my tongue automatically darts out to wet them. “That’s the thing, darlin’. You do belong to someone. You just don’t realize it yet,” he says, the corner of his lip turning upwards in the most cocky, yet delicious way. I swallow hard as he stands up straight and walks towards the food.