On My Brother's Bed

Back Off

Chapter 7

Rhett’s POV

“What?” I asked, my brows pulling together in genuine confusion. “How can you ask me to do that?”

Micah ran a hand through his hair, and sighed. “My parents entrusted her to me for the summer. All I want is for you to keep an eye on her. Is that a big deal?”

Yes. A very big one.

“No,” I muttered, my tone flat. “I can’t do it.”

“Don’t be hard to deal with,” Micah said, rolling his eyes. He pushed himself up from the chair and closed the distance between us. “It’s only for tonight anyway.”

Still, I couldn’t.

“Rhett, please. Will you?” His voice softened at the end, like he knew that was the quickest way to break my resolve.

I hesitated, then exhaled slowly. “Fine.”

“Okay. I’m going out,” Micah announced suddenly as he reached for his phone.

“Wait, what?” My head snapped toward him.

“I have to meet someone tonight before my early flight tomorrow,” he said, already half-turned toward the door.

“Micah, you can’t just–”

But I didn’t get to finish as he had already grabbed his keys and was walking away, his long strides making it clear there would be no further discussion.

“Bye, Rhett Rivers,” he called over his shoulder.

“Damn you, Micah Cole,” I mumbled under my breath, pushing my chair back in with more force than necessary.

After clearing the table, I gathered the plates and took them to the sink. When the last plate was rinsed and set aside, I grabbed my jacket and decided to follow Micah’s instructions. Reluctantly.

The cool night air brushed against my face the moment I stepped outside. I pulled out my phone, unlocking the tracking app I’d installed earlier and also on Astrid's phone secretly. Like I knew this moment would come. The little blinking dot moved slowly across the screen, leading me straight to her.

It didn’t take long before I had her exact location. My frown deepened when I saw it was marked as a party house.

Did she really like partying this much?

Grumbling under my breath, I swung a leg over my bike as the engine roared to life beneath me, vibrating through my hands. Without a second thought, I revved away.

A few minutes later, I slowed as the GPS led me toward a cluster of cars parked along the roadside. I spotted the glow of colored lights ahead and pulled over into a shadowed spot with a clear view.

The bass from the treehouse party thumped in the night. People walked around the yard–laughing, smoking, and swaying to music. I leaned back on my bike, scanning faces.

Was Micah out of his damn mind? Did he expect me to stand here all night just to make sure his sister didn’t get herself in trouble?

I was about to give up and head back when a flicker of movement caught my eye–two familiar figures walking out from the side of the house. Astrid. And Talia.

What the heck?

I narrowed my eyes.

They weren’t heading home. They were crossing the street to two guys leaning against a black sedan.

My grip on the bike handles tightened.

I should've minded my business. But the way one of the guys grinned down at her like he was already undressing her with his eyes made my blood run hot.

And then his hand brushed her arm.

No. Not happening.

I started my bike and rolled forward slowly, keeping my distance, watching as they laughed together. Each touch from him felt like a spark in my chest, only it wasn’t pleasant.

I killed the engine and hopped off, shoving my hands in my pockets as I walked toward them.

Astrid spotted me first and her smile faltered, replaced by a frown.

“What the hell are you doing here, Rivers?” she asked, crossing her arms.

But I barely looked at her. My eyes were locked on the guy still standing way too close.

He looked me up and down like he was sizing me up. Wrong move.

I trod closer, my voice flat. “Back off.”

The guy’s brows rose. “Excuse me?”

“Didn’t you hear me?” I repeated, my tone dropping lower. “Back. Off.”

He scoffed, and that was all the permission I needed. My fist connected with his jaw before he could say another word.

He stumbled back with a curse, clutching his face. The other guy next to him caught him before he could fall.

“Rhett!” Astrid’s voice was sharp. She grabbed my arm, shoving me back. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”

I ignored her, stepping toward the guy again, but she moved between us, glaring up at me.

She turned to him. “Are you okay?”

You've got to be kidding me.

I caught her wrist before she could touch him and pulled her away.

“Let go!” she protested, digging her heels into the ground. “Talia, help me!”

Talia stared, wide-eyed and frozen. Before Astrid could call her again, I had her halfway across the street.

“Rhett! Stop dragging me like I’m a child!” she snapped, jerking at my grip.

We reached the shadows where my bike was parked, away from the noise and lights. She ripped her hand from mine and spun on me.

Then–slap.

The sting bloomed across my cheek.

I stared at her.

She lifted her hand again, but I caught her wrist mid-air. “Don’t,” I warned.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” she hissed.

“Someone who was told to keep an eye on you,” I shot back, my voice laced with anger. “Micah told me to follow you, Astrid. And here you are, sneaking off to meet guys? Real smart.”

Her eyes widened, and realization flashed across her face.

“Micah told you?” she asked quietly.

“Yeah.” I replied, my voice low. “And I don’t think he’d be thrilled to know his baby sister lied about going to a girls-only party just to sneak around with some random guy who couldn’t keep his hands off her.”

Her lips parted, panic flickering in her eyes. “Rhett, please don’t tell him.”

I tilted my head, letting the corner of my mouth curve in a humorless smile. “Oh, now you’re polite?”

“Rhett, I mean it,” she said, her voice softening. “He’ll overreact. You know he will. Please.”

She tried to reach for me but the purse in her hold fell.

Her pleading tone tugged at me in a way I didn’t want to acknowledge. My eyes roamed over her almost on instinct, taking in the messy waves of her hair.

And then she shifted to grab her purse, bending forward slightly, and her gown rode up just enough that I caught a flash of white lace.

My brain blanked.

“Jesus Christ,” I muttered, yanking my gaze away.

Her head snapped up. “What?”

“Nothing,” I said quickly, forcing my eyes anywhere but her.

She gave me a suspicious look, but I held her wrist a moment longer before letting go.

“You’re coming with me,” I said, nodding toward the bike.

“Like hell I am,” she shot back.

“Fine,” I shrugged, “I’ll just call Micah right now. Want me to put him on speaker?”

She glared, then groaned, muttering something under her breath before stomping toward the bike. “You’re such an ass.”

“Maybe,” I said, climbing on, “but at least I’m an ass who kept you out of trouble tonight.”

She swung her leg over the seat behind me, her hands hesitating before settling on my waist. The heat of her touch burned through my shirt.

This was going to be a long summer.