Phoenix: Book One of The Stardust Series (18 page)

Knox looked concerned.
“Just breathe, Haley. You’re okay. Relax.” He spoke slowly and his tone was
soothing.

Once I caught my breath
again, he smoothed a few strands of hair away from my face. “You okay?”

I closed my eyes and
nodded. “I’ll be fine.”

When Knox turned on
Ethan, I could feel the anger radiating from him. His voice was level, but
there was a definite edge to it. “What the hell do you think you were doing?”

Ethan straightened.
“Playing the game. What’s the big deal?”

Knox glared at him.
“No. You were too aggressive.”

I spoke in a hoarse
voice. “I’m fine, Knox. Let’s just play.” Knox’s shoulders relaxed slightly,
and he turned away from Ethan to face me. “You sure?”

I smiled. “You sure you
want to just end it now and let them win?”

Theo grinned. “That’s
my girl. Now let’s stop talking and play!”

Chase jumped in front
of me, ready to guard. Ethan swam by, his eyes apologetic and questioning.

Despite our best
efforts, my team lost by two points. While I wasn’t the ringer Knox hoped for,
I had to admit to having fun; and I had even scored a goal. However, given a
choice of games, I would probably go with poker instead. The guys were
extremely competitive, and playing in the water for so long was exhausting.

After the game’s conclusion,
Theo started another water fight by splashing me lightly in the face. Almost
simultaneously, Chase, Ethan, and Liam attacked Theo while Knox pulled me out
of the way and blocked me with his body.

When their playful
fighting turned aggressive, Knox grabbed me by the waist and lifted me out of
the pool, setting me gently on the tile. With a sheepish grin, he said, “Go dry
off. You don’t want to get in the middle of this,” before disappearing under
the water.

Relieved to be out of
the line of fire, I used one of the luxurious beach towels to dry off. Since it
appeared that the guys weren’t quitting anytime soon, I pulled my cover-up on
over my soaked swimsuit and headed inside to change.

I opened one side of
the French doors and slipped inside, the cool air making me shiver. When I saw
a slight movement out of the corner of my eye, I jumped, clumsily dropping my
towel and book.

Jackson stood leaning
against the large window next to the door, arms crossed over his chest. He was
still dressed in work clothes but had a distinctly casual air about him in
linen slacks paired with a white button-down shirt.

His lips tipped into a
barely-there smile. “Haley, we really need to stop meeting like this. Are you
always so jumpy?”

Intimidated by his
presence, I reached down to pick up my things to avoid his gaze. “Not usually.
It must be you.”
Geez, Haley, why are you such a nervous wreck around him?

When he didn’t reply, I
finally looked at him and he lifted one dark brow. “Well then, I apologize.”

I bit my lip, trying to
come up with an intelligent response. When nothing came to mind, I decided to
change the subject. “Have you heard anything about the office assistant
position? Do you know when I’m going to start?”

Jackson stood up
straight and placed his hands in his pockets. “Yes, everything is ready to go.
You can start as early as next week if you’d like.”

My pulse started to
race in excitement. “Really? That would be great.”

He consulted his phone
for a few moments before returning his attention to me, his voice as
professional as ever. “It looks like my schedule is fairly clear on Monday if
you would like to start then.”

Suddenly Monday seemed
alarmingly close, and I felt a twinge of fear at having to face new people and
circumstances in just a couple of days. Then I reminded myself that not only
had I desired this type of opportunity for years, I needed to start saving
money as soon as possible.

At the moment, my best
shot at finding my dad depended on getting to San Francisco and accessing the
safe deposit box. At the very least, I needed enough cash for bus fare and a
few nights in a hotel. But I preferred to wait until I had the resources to
make it on my own for an extended period of time.

“Of course, whenever is
most convenient for you.” I hoped he could tell how grateful I was for setting
up the job.

Jackson slid his phone
back in his pocket and said, “Okay, Monday morning it is. I’m sure Theo or Knox
will be able to give you a ride.”

I glanced outside and
saw the guys exiting the pool. Realizing this was the perfect time to escape, I
said, “Thank you so much. I better go change before I freeze.”

Jackson politely
offered, “Please let me know if you need anything. Did someone already show you
to a guest room?”

“Yes, thank you.” I
quickly turned and headed toward the staircase. As I made my way back to my
designated room, I wondered how the rest of the evening would unfold.
One
down, one to go.
I had managed to get the easy conversation out of the way;
now I just had to get Ethan alone and confront him. I needed answers, and fast;
I was getting way too close to these guys, especially considering Ethan’s
apparent betrayal.

I sucked in a quick
breath at the thought of the guys downstairs. All six were insanely attractive,
worldly, and smart. And I was so . . . sheltered. At that
moment, confronting Ethan almost seemed like the least of my worries.
How
would I ever survive this evening?

Lucky Number
Seven

Padding down the back
stairs to the kitchen, I shouldn’t have been surprised at the scene that
greeted me. Liam stood at the kitchen counter with a pile of vegetables while I
watched, mesmerized by his expert chopping. His long, elegant fingers moved
with grace and precision as he wielded the sharp knife like a surgeon.

Out the glass patio
doors, I could see Knox and Jackson behind the huge stainless steel grill. Even
in the relaxed setting, Jackson still seemed so reserved.
Surely he lets
loose sometimes?

Knox, on the other
hand, stood barefoot at the grill, giant tongs in one hand, drink in another.
And Chase, Theo, and Ethan were in the yard throwing a Frisbee. After all of my
interactions with them, I should have known they wouldn’t be stereotypical guys
who ordered pizza and sat around drinking beer on a Friday night.

As I walked into the
kitchen, Liam lifted his head and shot me a devilish grin while giving me
another once-over. “What lovely hair you have. You really should wear it like
that all the time.”
Why do I feel like I’m looking at a frustratingly hot
version of the Big Bad Wolf?

Ignoring the compliment,
I nervously ran a hand over my hair, trying to smooth it down. After quickly
washing my hair to get rid of the chlorine, I had dried it for just a few
minutes, and now it hung down my back in an array of messy waves. Between my
hair and comfortable shorts and T-shirt, I was particularly aware of how casual
I looked in comparison to Liam.

While the other guys
wore some variation of jeans, shorts, and T-shirts or polos, Liam’s version of
“casual” was somewhat formal, thanks to his pressed shorts and button-down
shirt with the sleeves rolled up. Not to mention the unusual gold ring on his
pinky; a simple band with a flat oval face, it appeared to be engraved.

Hoping to change the
subject from my appearance, I walked up to the counter and asked, “Is there anything
I can do to help?”

“No. You can help
yourself to a drink, though. There’s even beer in the fridge,” he said, tilting
his head toward the refrigerator. Okay, maybe I was wrong about the guys
drinking beer.

Knox walked in during
Liam’s statement and frowned. “No underage drinking, Liam. You know Uncle’s
rules.” He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a glass pitcher with slices
of lemon floating at the top. “Lemonade?”

“Absolutely. It looks
delicious.” I was relieved that Knox saved me from responding about the beer. I
had never tried it and really had no interest in doing so tonight.

Liam popped a piece of
pineapple in his mouth, chewing as he resumed chopping fruit. Since he was
doing all the prep work for the dinner, it seemed only fair that he should get
to snitch some. When he realized he had been caught, he smirked and held a
piece out to me, eyebrows raised in silent invitation.

I gave him a sly grin
before accepting the pineapple; its sweetness exploded instantly on my tongue.
After our strenuous basketball game, I was ravenous. I poured my drink and then
followed Knox outside, the smell from the grill teasing me.

When I sat down at an
outdoor dining table, Chase ambled over and pulled out the chair next to me.
“May I?”

“Hmmm…” I tapped my
finger on my chin like I had to think about it. “Considering our basketball
rivalry, that may be a little too close.” I smiled, letting him know that I was
teasing.

Chase laughed softly
and plopped down in the seat. “If it makes you feel any better, you were a worthy
opponent, especially considering it was your first time to play.”

I quirked an eyebrow.
“If by worthy, you mean underhanded, then sure.”

Chase just shook his
head with a grin, a dimple appearing in one cheek. “Good point. By the way,
Jackson mentioned that you’re starting work next week. Do you feel ready?” He
looked at me thoughtfully, his sky blue eyes revealing his concern.

I huffed a quiet sigh.
“Honestly, I’m not sure. Part of me is excited to finally interact with others
like a normal member of society. The other part of me is terrified that being
around more new people will be completely overwhelming and awkward.” Sharing
this with Chase seemed natural, even though I knew most people couldn’t relate.

His expression serious,
Chase said, “I totally understand where you’re coming from; I still get
overwhelmed in new situations, and I’ve had a lot more practice. But, I’m
confident you’ll fit in at Zenith. And at least one of us will always be
around, so you have nothing to worry about.”

Grateful for his
reassurance, I nodded. “You’re right. And I’m really glad that Jackson was
willing to set me up with a job at Zenith.” I glanced over at Jackson and was
shocked to see him looking laid back, smiling and laughing with the other guys.
If I didn’t know better, I would think he was a completely different person.

“I’m a little
surprised, really. I don’t think he likes me.”

Chase appeared
confused. “Who, Jackson?”

I nodded. “He was
really standoffish both times I’ve talked to him. But seeing him now, I think it
must be me.”

Chase studied Jackson
for a moment before replying. “I don’t think it’s you specifically. Jackson is
extremely protective of our team; I’m sure he’ll warm up once he gets to know
you.”

Before I had time to
ponder the idea more, Theo interrupted. “No more gossiping, you two. Time to
eat!”

Our plates piled high,
I joined Knox, Liam, and Jackson at the table just outside the pool house. A
gentle breeze blew through the backyard, and I couldn’t imagine a more perfect
temperature or setting.

Jackson cut into his
steak before addressing me. “Well, Haley, did you enjoy the game? I hope they
played nice.”

I smiled, brushing my
wet hair behind my shoulder. “Nice enough.” I grinned. “I had fun.”

Jackson spoke again.
“I’m glad to see they’re making you feel welcome.”

I nodded. “They
definitely are.” I paused. “And, thank you for including me tonight.”
Not
that you really had a choice considering I’m a pseudo-prisoner
, I thought.
It seemed best left unsaid, especially considering how much I was enjoying my
present situation.

Liam opened his mouth
in feigned surprise. “Unbelievable.” He paused dramatically. “Haley is so
polite, so well-mannered with you. Yet, Miss Manners had the audacity to
question the authenticity of my accent within moments of our introduction.” He
looked at me, the light dancing in his gray eyes.

Jackson chuckled. “You
have lived here for over half your life, so it is somewhat surprising your
accent hasn’t faded more. Perhaps it really is just an act for the ladies.”

Liam dramatically rolled
his eyes. “I can’t help it if they find my accent sexy.”

Knox threw back the
rest of his drink before adding. “Your accent or your Audi?”

Jackson chuckled and
closed his eyes briefly while he shook his head. “You know, Uncle often says
that your accent just gets you into trouble. And I think I’m beginning to
agree.” He smirked, clearly enjoying the verbal banter with Liam.

Liam’s eyes gleamed,
and I couldn’t shake the image of a panther on the prowl. “What rubbish. Do you
realize how many times my accent has saved your arse?” He grinned and then
pursed his lips. “Hmm. Jealousy, perhaps?”

Jackson wasn’t going to
let that slide. “And do you know how many more I’ve saved
your
arse?”

I smiled at their
antics; it was clear they were joking and enjoying themselves. I wondered how
long they had been friends, especially since their bond seemed deeper, almost
like brothers.

Liam reached his long
fingers toward Jackson’s neck. Jackson looked down and noticed that part of his
collar had flapped up; he gently flipped it even further out of place.
“Something wrong?” I saw the hint of a grin play at the corner of Jackson’s
lips.

Jackson reached for
Liam’s head, threatening the perfectly styled hair, but Liam quickly ducked out
of the way. “Don’t even think about it, Jax,” his tone playful, yet serious.
Apart from Liam, I had only ever heard Knox use “Jax.”
Interesting.

As I finished my meal,
I enjoyed the overwhelming sense of relaxation and content that spread over me.
In need of a refill, I headed inside the pool house to grab more water.

With the doors open to
the backyard, the pool house formed part of a seamless whole with the main
house and the backyard. Decorated in the same style, it was more casual and
definitely cozier. With one bedroom, one bathroom, and a living room, it was
really just a fun space for the guys to hang out. A wet bar and small fridge
served as the kitchen, and with a grill just outside next to the table and
chairs, it seemed like the ideal location. Good thing there was no “Boys Only”
rule to this clubhouse. I wondered how many outsiders were invited to this more
intimate and private setting.

Chase and Ethan sat on
the plush, over-sized sofas eating and watching the television; Theo held the
remote, absent-mindedly flipping channels. Occasionally he would linger on one,
but he was clicking so rapidly, I wondered how he could even tell if the
program was something he was interested in.

Even Chase seemed
impatient. “Come on, Theo. You know the game is on channel twenty-two. Can’t we
just watch that?”

Theo laughed. “Don’t be
silly; we have to survey all the options first.”

When he stopped on a
telenovela, Ethan groaned and tried to steal the remote. Theo kept the remote
out of reach and said, “Wait, wait. I want to see this.”

On the screen was a beautiful
but angry woman and a forlorn-looking man. They were arguing, and I had to
concentrate to keep up with their fast-paced Spanish dialogue.

Theo laughed and said,
“This is great.” He focused on the television and then started translating the
dialogue in English, his voice taking on a believable accent with added flair
to amp up the melodrama.

“Fernando, I know you
slept with Adriana! I will never forgive you!”

“I’m sorry, Gabriela,
just let me explain. It wasn’t my fault.”

“I don’t want to hear
your pathetic excuses. Get away from me! I never want to see you again!”

“But how could I have
known that she was your twin? You never even told me you had a sister!”

Theo mimicked both of
the characters perfectly, and I couldn’t help but laugh. He was undoubtedly
fluent in Spanish . . . like Ethan. As the thought crossed
my mind, I found myself speaking, not taking the time to consider whether it
was a good idea.

Attempting only a
slight Spanish accent, I spoke Gabriela’s next line. “I didn’t tell you because
Adriana was supposed to be dead! I wish she was!”

I felt every eye in the
room turn to stare at me. Theo gave me a huge grin, nodding as he continued.
“How could you say that about your own twin?”

Not wanting to give up
on the game, I continued Gabriela’s part, translating the best that I could.
“Because she is the evil twin. She deserved to die in that hurricane. I can’t
believe she survived on a stranded island for the past five years.”

The show went to
commercial and several of the guys started clapping. Theo took a bow and said,
“Haley, that was awesome. I didn’t know you speak Spanish.”

I hesitated for a
moment and then looked directly into Ethan’s eyes. “I’m not fluent, but I know
enough to understand most of what I hear or read.”

Ethan stared back and me,
his face stoic. I wondered if he could feel the current of anger I was
channeling toward him. If he wasn’t suspicious that I was upset with him
before, he definitely should be now.

By this point, Knox,
Liam, and Jackson had migrated into the pool house, ready for the feature film.
Nothing was said about the seating arrangements, but they all instinctively
seemed to know where to sit. Chase patted the space on a sofa between himself
and Knox. I wasn’t sure the three of us would fit comfortably, but it seemed
preferable to the tile floor, even with the rug.

And I couldn’t deny
that the idea of being snuggled up between Chase and Knox was appealing. I knew
I was in over my head, but I just couldn’t resist the temptation.
Besides
,
I thought,
was it really such a big deal to sit between them on the couch?

Jackson grabbed the
remote and stood in front of the TV. “Okay, what do you guys . . . ”
he paused, “And girl, want to watch tonight?”

Liam laughed. “Well
this
is
a first. Although considering the quality time the rest of you
have spent with her, it seems only fair that Haley should sit with me.”

Jackson rolled his eyes
but continued talking, proposing a few movie options. Theo threw out a few
horror films, but Knox shook his head. I couldn’t imagine that Knox would be
afraid of anything, let alone a movie; I wondered if he vetoed them for my
benefit. Several of the guys spoke up, naming films I had never heard of—
Fight
Club
;
Lock, Stock, & Two Smoking Barrels; Monty Python and the Holy
Grail
. Some of the suggestions were met with groans, but nothing seemed to
be a clear winner.