And Michael Crist, son of a real estate developer.

The boys may have shunned the rigidity and expectations of their parents, but they certainly enjoyed the umbrella of their protection.

“Is it good to be back?” Mrs. Crist asked as she cut a piece of salad. “I know it must be hard, being separated at college.”

“It is hard,” Will said mournfully. “But I just call one of the guys when my heart needs a hug.”

I pursed my lips, trying to hide my smile as Damon snorted across the table.

“Actually,” Kai started, leaning back in his chair. “I’m considering transferring to Westgate. I’m bored at Braeburn, and Westgate has a much better swim team, so…”

“Great,” Trevor cut in. “You and Michael can continue your bro-mance now.”

“Aw,” Will cooed, looking over the table at Trevor. “You feeling left out? Come here, Pretty Boy. I’ll show you some attention.” And then he leaned back in his chair, patting his thigh for Trevor to sit in his lap.

I snorted, bowing my head and feeling eyes on me. Probably Trevor’s glare.

I picked up my fork to start eating, ignoring him. Trevor didn’t tolerate Michael’s friends any more than he tolerated his brother.

I looked up, seeing Mrs. Haynes through the doorway to the kitchen holding the house phone and mouthing something to Mrs. Crist.

“Excuse me for a moment.” Mrs. Crist stood, pushed out her chair, and walked past the table, disappearing through the doorway.

As soon as she was gone, Trevor shot out of his chair, and I jerked my eyes up, seeing him scowling at his brother.

“Stay away from her,” he ordered.

I let my eyes fall closed as I tipped my chin down. Embarrassment heated my cheeks, and I could feel everyone’s eyes on me.

Jesus, Trevor.

No one said anything for a few moments, but judging from the silence and lack of movement as I stared at my plate, everyone was waiting for Michael.

“Who?” I finally heard him ask.

And I swallowed, hearing a couple of quiet laughs go off around the table.

“Rika,” Trevor growled. “She’s mine.”

I heard Michael breathe out a laugh, and out of the corner of my eye I saw him push back his chair and stand up. He tossed down his napkin on his plate and grabbed the milk.

“Who?” he asked again.

Will bowed his head, laughing louder this time as his body shook. I looked up, seeing Damon, smiling wide and looking smug.

I wanted to fold into myself and disappear. That stung.

I must’ve been amusing today. A momentary distraction for Michael, and now it was back to being nothing but something to sidestep as we passed each other in the house.

Trevor’s anger radiated, and I stared ahead while they all got up from their chairs, laughing and gloating as they followed Michael out of the dining room.

I wasn’t sure who I was most angry with: Trevor or them. At least I knew what Trevor wanted. He didn’t mind-fuck me.

Trevor sat back down, hard breaths making his chest rise and fall fast.

I pushed my plate away, no longer hungry. “Trevor…” I started, feeling guilty, but I didn’t know what else to do with him. “I’m not yours. I’m not anyone’s.”

“You’d fuck him in a heartbeat if he looked at you twice.”

I scowled, hardening my jaw. I was sick of being pushed around. Shoving back my chair, I bolted up and stormed out of the dining room.

My eyes burned with anger, and I charged across foyer, noticing the door leading to the garage open. I glanced up, seeing Michael toss a black duffel to Kai who stowed it in the G-class.

He turned his hooded eyes on me but then immediately dropped them, carrying on with loading his car as if I weren’t there.

I jogged up the stairs and powered down the hallway to my room. Slamming the door closed behind me, I breathed hard, shaking and running my fingers over the top of my hair, trying not to cry.

I needed to get out of here.

The Crist house was becoming a cage. I constantly had to fend off one brother while putting up a front of indifference with the other, and I needed some fun.

Noah. He was no doubt hitting the warehouse tonight. I’d call him and see when he was leaving.

Slipping off my flats and tearing off my uniform, I opened a dresser drawer and dug out some clothes I kept here. I unhooked my bra, discarding it on the floor.

My skin crawled, and I yanked on a tank top and pair of jeans, wanting nothing more than to scream my fucking lungs off.

Assholes. All of them.

Slipping on some sneakers, I grabbed my black hoodie off the hook in the closet and hurried back down the stairs, hearing the shower running in the bathroom as I passed. The guys were probably getting ready to leave.

I grabbed my phone and keys from the entryway table and left through the front door, pulling on my hood and stuffing my hands into the front pocket of my sweatshirt.

Only October 30th, and the chill in the air already had a bite. Nearly all the trees were bare, and all the brown, orange, yellow, and red leaves that had fallen now graced the lawn. Mrs. Crist never made the gardeners remove them, knowing it would be the last bit of color we’d enjoy before the snow started in a few weeks.

The cold washed over me, and I slowly started to calm as I walked down the driveway.

The towering branches above, like veins across the sky, melted together, creating a bare, dead canopy over the driveway that would be right at home in any Tim Burton film. I half-expected to see some creepy fog floating across the ground at me.