“Yeah, we just wanted to let you know something,” Mom says, and I nod once. ”So… Charlie wants you off campus so that you have more freedom than if you were in a dorm. He also wants to set up an account for you so you can focus on school instead of trying to work full time and go to school full time.”
“That’s not necessary,” I say, shaking my head. “Seriously… it’s okay.”
“Mia… it’s not. You hardly sleep and we never see you,” Charlie says. “I know you and your mother have never had anyone in your life try to take care of you, but that’s what this is. I want to make sure I am doing the same for you that I do for Darian and Declan. I have the ability to help, so I want to help. You three are responsible and understand what hard work is. This isn’t about buying your affection or spoiling anyone. I just want to make your life easier.”
“Okay,” I sigh.
“Thank you,” he smiles. “Now… I would like for you to stay with the boys because I don’t feel comfortable with you living alone. It’s not that I don’t trust you…”
“He’s afraid someone will hurt you,” Declan says when Charlie doesn’t.
“Ya know… follow you home and whatnot,” Darian adds.
“I guess it’s better than sharing a bathroom with thirty girls,” I say. “Alright. I don’t do much, so I won’t take up much room.”
“We’re not concerned,” Declan says with a smile. “Just don’t bring guys home.”
“Do I get the same courtesy?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“We won’t bring home guys either,” Darian laughs.
“Smartass,” Charlie says, smacking the back of his head, making me laugh.
“Ow, old man,” Darian says, rubbing the back of his head. “I’m kidding. Jeez. We won’t bring home any girls.
“I was kidding. It’s your home,” I say and Charlie sighs.
“No,” Declan says. “It’sourhome.”
“Okay,” I sigh.
“Also,” Mom says. “I’ll start with saying I’m doing this, not Charlie. It’s not up for debate.”
“God. What?” I ask.
“You are taking my car and we are getting rid of that death trap of yours. It is unreliable and not safe. I gave you the option for a while but now I’m not. I don’t wanna hear anything about it,” she says firmly.
“Well… it won’t start anyway… so…” I say.
“Oh… that’s because I took the spark plugs out,” Declan says with a smile. “We were afraid it was going to kill you.”
“All of you are annoyingly nice,” I frown.
“We will help load your stuff and we can hit the road tonight,” Darian says as he stands.
“Uh, okay,” I say. “I just have a few things left to pack.”
“Tell me if they annoy you,” Charlie says as he hugs me.
“I will,” I say before hugging Mom. “I’m going to go finish I guess.”
“We will be up in a second,” Declan says. I nod before going back to my room. I hurry up and finish packing the rest of my things. I try not to focus on the fact that I’m going to be in the same house as them for two years. They’re my stepbrothers and I definitely can’t continue thinking the dirty thoughts about them that I do. I’m pretty sure that is frowned upon now that we’re family.
The guys come up with Charlie and they all grab my things. I managed to get a hold of one bag and my purse before they take everything else. “I could’ve gotten something,” I say.
“You packed it. We can load it,” Charlie says with a shrug. I don’t know what to say to that, so I just follow them downstairs.
“We will come visit,” Mom says as she hugs me.