“Hi, Sadie … Brady.” I give a shy wave.

“Hi.” Brady greets me and then a huge pop from the bacon grease diverts his attention back to the stove.

“Glad you all remember each other. Want some orange juice?” Dex interrupts the awkwardness of the situation.

“Sure,” I accept and make my way to the vacant chair next to him.

“Are you guys hungry? We’ll have plenty,” Sadie asks, placing paper plates and forks on the table before retreating back Brady’s way. I couldn’t be happier that my back is to them. I would never want to see the shared snide looks to my re-appearance.

“That’s okay—” I begin, but Dex overrules me.

“Sure,” he says standing up. Please don’t go. Coming back a second later, he hands me a piece of bacon. “Here. It does a hangover good,” he jokes, and I roll my eyes, snatching it from his hand.

“Oh, did you have too much to drink last night?” My head rises up, finding Sadie sitting next to me.

“Yeah,” I mention. “I popped some aspirin this morning though, so I’m feeling better.”

“That’s good. Well, Brady’s breakfast will help.” She smiles, easing my anxiety a little.

“It’s a miracle worker,” Brady adds, bringing over plates overfilled with food.

“Do you always make this much?” I ask him while Dex grabs the plates, spooning piles of each food onto everyone’s plates. “Thank you,” I say, but Dex doesn’t respond. Instead, he picks up his fork and starts eating.

“It’s either that, or I just end up making more if the guys are home,” Brady says, just as the back door swings open.

The guy’s footsteps halt at the door and he peruses the scene in front of him. Mostly likely noticing someone isn’t like the others. He eyeballs me, and I keep my focus on him. He’s tall, lean and muscled with dark spiky hair. Tattoos cover the majority of his arms, leading up past the sleeves of his shirt. A creepy smirk crosses his lips once my eyes reach the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. I always thought Dex’s were like glass, but this guy’s resemble the waves in an ocean. Where the tip of it is almost see-through, except for the smallest hue of blue.

“Who’s this?” He nods his head in my direction and then officially enters the room. Flipping a chair around and swinging his legs over, sitting down, eyes on me while he shovels food onto his plate.

“This is my friend, Chrissy.” Dex introduces me, and I wipe my hand on my napkin before holding it out to him. He shakes his head and picks up his fork.

“Is that what we call it these days?” He cocks an eyebrow to Dex, who shakes his head.

“It is possible to actually have friends of the opposite sex.” Sadie comes to our defense, although I don’t really care what he thinks.

“No, it’s not,” he blatantly says, shaking his head while chewing his eggs.

“Yes, it is,” Sadie continues, and Brady shakes his head at their banter.

“If that was the case, I’d be friends with Jessa.” He cocks that eyebrow again.

“That is completely different circumstances, Rob.” Oh, so this is Rob. I had assumed, but it was now confirmed.

Then his eyes dart to Dex and I. “Have you guys ever hooked up?” he asks, and I itch my neck, trying to divert the topic.

“No,” Dex answers.

“Have you ever wanted to? You know one of those almost kiss moments the movies like to do so much.” He actually places his fork down and focus completely on us.

“You going soft and watching romantic comedies now?” Brady asks, chuckling along with Sadie.

“No, you watch enough of those for all of us. Pussy-whipped,” he coughs, and then his attention comes back to us. “So?”

I concentrate on my meal, not wanting to be the one to answer. I’m not sure if I’ll be offended if Dex denies it, but, then again, if he admits it, it proves the asshole right.

“No,” Dex answers again and then buries his head into his food.

“Bullshit,” Rob says, and Dex’s head flies up. Their eyes peer into one another’s, until Rob gives a slow nod of his head and lets the whole subject go.

“How long are you staying?” he asks me, and this is a question I can answer.

“I’m leaving right after breakfast.”

Dex’s eyes look at me from the corner and then back to his plate.

“Why don’t you stay for a little while? It’s Sunday. Do you have to go to work?” Sadie asks me, and I can see Dex’s eyes land on me, anticipating my answer.

“Um … no, but I should go home.” I fight every urge telling me to stay. Dex has his life and I’m not a part of it.

“Brady and Sadie always take in the misfits,” Rob chimes in, and I narrow my eyes his way.

“Come on. We were going to have a cook-out tonight. The weather is starting to change, and we want to use the grill before it turns cold outside. It will be fun,” Sadie begs me, and, for some reason, I agree. It’s only one night.

“Okay, but I insist on making something,” I say, thinking about how on earth I’ll afford the ingredients. The two hundred dollars I have tucked away won’t last long.

“Sure. What’s your favorite dish to prepare?” she asks, and I bite my lip thinking. Having a dad not around, I learned to fend for myself but it’s not like I make gourmet dishes.

“Why don’t we make those hamburgers?” Dex peers over to me, raising his eyebrows.

“Um … okay,” I agree, liking the use of we too much. I figure I’ll use the one recipe my dad taught me.

“Awesome,” he speaks while still chewing. “You guys will love them.” He compliments the recipe and takes a gulp of his orange juice to wash down his mouth full of food.

“Then we’ll go to the store after we finish here. Do you boys want to come?” Sadie asks, and they all groan, except Brady.

“I have something to do. Do you mind if I catch up with you guys after?” Dex directs the question to me, and I nod in agreement, although it scares me. Sadie seems like an answer-seeker, and she’ll be firing question after question my way. Not noticing the anxiety in my eyes, he turns to Rob. “I need your help with something.”

Rob gives him a slow nod. “All right. Let me shower,” he says.

We all finish breakfast, and I help Sadie with the dishes while Rob takes a shower and the other guys bullshit about sports. If Brady hadn’t made breakfast, I’d think this house had morphed into the Leave It To Beaver show.

Once everyone is ready, I walk upstairs to grab my shoes and purse. I’m about to go downstairs when I run into Dex in the doorway. “Here.” He hands me a few twenties.

“I have money,” I say, walking past him.

“Please, take it. I know you only have a few hundred,” he remarks, practically confirming he went through my stuff last night.

“Listen. I appreciate it, but I’ll be fine,” I continue, folding his fingers up in a fist with the money in the middle. His chest rises and falls while his blue eyes stare into mine.

“Always so stubborn.”

“You saved me last night, so thank you. I refuse to take anymore, though,” I honestly say. The last thing I want is be more of a damsel in distress than I already am.

“Look at this way. I want you to make the burgers. Shit, my stomach is full, but my mouth is watering just thinking about them.” He chuckles, and Rob comes out of his room.

“Friends my ass,” he murmurs loud enough for us to hear it.

Shaking his head, Dex opens my hand and places the money in it and then mimics my movement by folding my fingers over. “Please, just take it,” he insists.

“Fine,” I relent. “Do you need anything?” I ask him, and he shakes his head.

“No. Have fun with Sadie.” He goes to walk to his room, but stops when his shoulder brushes against mine. “Oh, and our conversation from earlier isn’t over yet,” he reminds me and continues on his way.

My eyes close briefly at the thought of telling him about Nico and the incident, but it will only make him do something harsh.