Page 57 of Torqued

He lays his forehead on the seat in front of us. “Does it change who I am or how you see me?”

“No,” I bump his shoulder with mine. “I like you, just as you are.”

“Yes! I see my house! Wait, did you hear that?” Margo bounces in her seat.

“You’re insane, you know that don’t you?” Crank glances at her, laughing when she nods wildly.

“My bed’s calling for me! I’m gonna give my pillow some head, and my bed some ass tonight baby.” Margo cracks us all up, and we burst with laughter.

Crank pulls into a drive way with a garage next to it. I’m going to assume this is Rush’s house. He has an actual home, and I still live in a condo my dad bought for me after college.

I’m so embarrassed, though not enough to not enjoy his beautiful home. I slip from the backseat, and onto the pavement. The single story home is charcoal gray with white trim, the garage matches.

“Why are you snickering?” Rush’s slides his arms around me, whispering in my ear, The hair raises on the nape of my neck, as chills run over me.

I tilt my head, peeking up at him. “I never took you for the kinda guy that would have a matching garage. But then again, you have a home and I live in a condo that’s eight years old.”

“Which, if I may add, I’ve never been invited too.” He gigs my side when my mouth pops open.

“I see, I’ll make sure that gets corrected.”

He pinches my ass, sneaking past me. “C’mon! I’m ready for bed.”

“Excuse me?” I cross my arms in protest to his assuming we were going to bed right away.

Margo bumps my hip with hers. “In case you need a place to crash tonight, I live across the street in the little white cottage.”

“I feel like a failure amongst all of you adults. Where do you live, Crank?”

“I used to like above the garage, it’s nice but I moved in with Margo a few weeks back.” He slips his arm over her shoulder.

“Another thing I didn’t know, congratulations. Now, who in the hell are you people?” I tap my foot, gawking at them.

Margo steps in, hugging me. “I thought I told you, I’m sorry.”

“I’m kidding, but I am jealous you all are so close. I’ve never had this, or friends like this.” I sigh, hating I divulged that about myself.

Rush sneaks up behind me, kissing my cheek when he grabs me. “We’ll make sure you’re never alone again.”

“I had my dad; I wasn’t totally hopeless.” Although, I feel like it right now. I love that all of them are so close, and my dad never let me feel lonely. But this is the life, it’s one I’ve missed, and my heart knows it.

“Well, get ready to be baptized by fire because there’s a family cookout coming.” Margo waggles her brows.

Rush chuckles in my ear. “When she says family, she means half of Cherry Grove. My cousins’ home from the navy and his parents are having us over.”

“Thanks for telling me, I have nothing to wear!” I whirl around, play slapping him.

He shrugs, grinning wickedly. “We can stay home, go sans attire.”

“So, go to a BBQ or stay home naked?” I tap my chin, pretending to decide.

“This may take a while, we’re headed home. Peace!” Crank holds his two fingers in the air, taking Margo’s with the other one.

Rush backs away, walking toward his house. “I mean if you need to think about it. But don’t take to much time, I’m getting in the shower.”

“It’s just that… food versus sex. That’s a tough call, man.” My lower belly tightens when he starts pulling his shirt over his head. It’s the ‘all abs show on Rush Hatcher is a fucking god’ tonight.

“Put your clothes back on son, your momma wants to meet Spencer.” Sam rolls his eyes walking past Rush and over to me. He leans in, kissing my cheek. Rush’s mom stops to hug him, and I fall head over heels for the playboy in the fast lane.