"Time to wake up, little Spitfire."

I shrieked, jerking awake and hitting my head on the closed door. Strong arms immediately scooped me up, which only made my terror worse. Finally I opened my eyes just as I was about to try to gouge Trey's eyes out.

"It's okay. It's just me. I got you." Lips were pressed into my hair as I tried to slow my racing heartbeat.

"Well done, dipshit. You almost gave her a heart attack." Theo was standing outside his opened door, looking like he was about to snatched me up.

Once I got myself under control, I laid my cheek on Trey's chest. "I think I peed a little." I wiggled. "Never mind. False alarm."

Trey snickered. "Let's get you inside."

He passed me over to Theo, who gave me his heart-stopping smile. Which meant I couldn't be mad at him for passing me around like a game of Hot Potato.

In front of me was a white farmhouse with dark blue trim and a cozy wraparound porch. It was not what I'd imagined. Not that I'd imagined it. They just seemed more the city apartment type people.

"Our property goes on for several acres, so no noisy neighbors. And we have the best security system courtesy of Thane. So you'll be safe here." Trey booped my nose before gesturing for us to go inside.

The inside was more along the lines of what I'd imagined... but not imagined. Put the judgy eyes away.

We walked into the open concept living room slash kitchen. All modern appliances and an island with bar stools, which I was so excited about I had to wipe the drool off of my chin. I loved a good kitchen island.

The living room was very homey. Stone fireplace on one wall with a chocolate brown couch and coffee table.

"Are you hungry? You missed a couple meals today." Thane interrupted my perusing with talk of food. Which, of course, was when my stomach decided to rumble. Very loudly.

"I'll take that as a yes. Why don't you go sit on the couch and I'll whip up some sandwiches." Thane was already digging through the fridge when Theo turned and took a seat on the couch.

It was at about that time when my head started to feel extra heavy, and all of a sudden I became one of those bobble heads. Theo noticed, because those blasted guys noticed everything, so he pressed a hand to my cheek. Probably to get me to lay my head on his shoulder, but I just rested my face in his palm instead.

"You can get some rest after you eat something." Trey sat on the couch, followed by Tripp.

"I'm not tired. His hand smells wonderful." I shoved my nose into Theo's palm.

"If you like my palm, you'll love my- OW!" Thane had tossed something and it had hit Theo on the back of the head.

"Did you know," I looked at Trey, "that I almost licked you?"

Trey perked a brow and smirked. "I do not know this. Please elaborate."

"Well, that nurse that was there when we walked in was eyeing you up like you were the freshest of meatcicles. So I wanted to lick you first." I smiled at him, pleased with myself.

The room went silent, except for a loud curse from the kitchen followed by running water.

I flopped my head onto Theo's shoulder. "Who put the heavy hat on? My head is just flopping about like a flaccid sausage. I don't like sausage."

"I think the pain meds are working."

"I think we figured that out already, Trey."

"Shhh." I stuck a finger in Theo's mouth. Which, after the shock wore off, he proceeded to nibble on. "Don't wake the children."

"There are no children, Spitfire."

I placed my entire hand over Theo's face and used it to stand up. "And you." I pointed at Tripp, taking a few steps before falling unceremoniously onto his lap.

"Me."

"You, sir, are a grade F wankstain. And I gave you an F because you do not deserve an A. And do you know why?" I got a tad distracted poking the end of his nose that I ended up sticking a finger into his nostril. Which I then wiped on his shirt. Because gross.

Tripp captured my gaze for a second before the slippery thing took off staring at his nostrils again. Not even one nose hair. Kind of shocking.

"Are you done fucking with my nose, Harper?"

"No, I am not! Since every time you open your mouth I just want to find something old and rotten from the dumpster or something stored up a hooker's money maker and shove it straight down your gullet so you stop freaking talking."

And then, to show him I meant business, my finger was shoved up his nostril again.

Tripp gently swatted my hand away, looking toward Trey. "You need to take her."

The couch moved as Trey walked into the kitchen, chuckling.

"Fuck."

"Language, Mr. GI Joe!" My finger miraculously appeared in Tripp's mouth.

He turned his head to spit my finger out. "Theo.."

"You got yourself into this." I felt a kiss on the top of my head before Theo walked toward the kitchen as well. The three were now just standing on the other side of the island watching me with smirks on their faces.

"You know the worst part about you?" I poked him in the face again.

"I'm sure you're about to tell me."

"The worst part is that, even though you're the biggest jerk, I still like you. I still think next time will be different. But it never is. Nope. You're always a jerk. And I'm always all alone."

I heard more than one set of footsteps move in my direction. But it was Tripp that spoke, his eyes searching into my soul. "You're not alone."

"Yes I am. Always and forever alone. No one sticks around. Look at Ava. She shot me up with drugs and sold me to Dookey. My own mother told me she should have aborted me before I was born. Maybe she was right." I poked Tripp in the nose. "Boop."

Tripp didn't speak for the longest time, he just stared at me with a blank expression. So I took advantage of his silence and the fact that he was distracted and I licked up the side of his neck.

He huffed out what sounded like a ragged breath, but couldn't be. Because he was GI Joe and things like emotions and such nonsense must've been foreign to him.

"Hmm. You taste better than I imagined. I figured you'd be all bitter and salty. Like your soul."

Tripp took a large, deep breath before placing a hand on my cheek. "We will have a discussion about your mother when you're not high. For now, eat."

And then he laid a lingering kiss on my forehead that made my inside tingle.