Chapter 28: Riley

After dinner, Sofia mentions she’s curious about pool, so we set up the table in the living room and grab the cues. She looks a bit unsure as she picks up a stick, holding it carefully, almost like she’s afraid of breaking it. I can’t help but smile; there’s something about her curiosity that’s endearing.

Nate steps forward first, showing her how to position her hands. He places his hands over hers on the cue, guiding her grip, and leans down close. I notice the way she stills, but then slowly relaxes as he speaks to her softly, explaining how to aim. He’s almost enveloping her with his frame, his movements smooth and deliberate, and I catch the way her breathing shifts, like she’s trying to steady herself.

When it’s my turn, I step in, nudging Nate back with a grin. “Alright, now that you’ve got the grip, let’s focus on your stance.” I reach around her, gently positioning her hips so that she’s lined up with the table. She glances back at me, a hint of a smile playing at her lips. There’s a warmth between us that wasn’t there before. I can tell she’s still a little wary, but she’s not pulling away. It’s almost like she’s leaning into our touches, allowing herself to trust us.

Danny comes next, adjusting her shoulders and angling the cue with her arms. “It’s all about focus,” he murmurs, his voice low. “Visualize where you want the ball to go.” He’s standing close, his hand resting on her back, and I see her cheeks flush as she nods, biting her lip in concentration.

She takes the shot, and the cue ball clacks against the others, sending one ball into the corner pocket. She lets out a surprised laugh, turning to look at us, and I feel a warmth spreading through my chest at the way her face lights up.

“Look at you, a natural already,” I tease, stepping closer to nudge her shoulder. She laughs, shaking her head, and for a moment, it feels like we’ve known her for much longer than just a few days. There’s a comfort between us that wasn’t there before, a sense that maybe, just maybe, she’s starting to trust us.

We take turns guiding her through different shots, each of us finding small excuses to get close, to touch her hand or adjust her stance. At one point, Nate leans in behind her again, murmuring something in her ear as he lines up her shot, his arm wrapped around her waist. She doesn’t tense up, just nods, following his guidance.

Leo brushes his hand over her shoulder, his fingers lingering a little longer than necessary as he explains the angle of the shot. She’s relaxed now, more at ease, and I realize she’s letting all of us in. It’s a subtle shift, but it’s there. She’s not scared anymore. Maybe a bit tense, sure, but it’s a different kind of tension now. One that feels more like anticipation than fear.

By the time we’re done, she’s starting to show signs of fatigue. I notice the way she subtly holds her side, wincing when she thinks we’re not looking. “Hey, maybe we should call it a night,” I suggest, setting down my cue stick.

She nods, not protesting, and we all move to the couch, settling in together. I notice her glancing at the book she’s left on the table, and I can’t resist. “How about you read to us?” I ask, settling into the couch next to her.

She looks surprised but pleased. “Alright,” she agrees, picking up the book and opening it to the page she’d marked.

As she starts to read, her voice is soft and soothing, and I find myself getting lost in the rhythm of her words. She reads with a quiet intensity, her eyes darting between the pages and our faces, and I can tell she’s nervous at first. But as she continues, she relaxes, and her voice grows stronger. She’s captivating, and I can feel the other guys leaning in, drawn in just like I am.

I glance over and see Leo watching her intently, his gaze soft, while Nate’s expression is unreadable but focused, like he’s trying to memorize every word she says. There’s a quiet between us that feels heavy, but not uncomfortable. I find myself leaning closer, just to hear her a little better, to feel that warmth radiating from her as she reads.

She reads until her eyelids start to droop, and her voice trails off, the book slipping from her fingers. I catch it, setting it aside, and before she can stir, I scoop her up in my arms, cradling her against my chest. She’s light, soft, and her head rests against my shoulder as I carry her back to her room. The guys follow, lingering at the door as I tuck her in, pulling the blankets up around her.

As I’m about to leave, I feel a gentle tug on the hem of my shirt. “Riley?” she murmurs, her voice barely a whisper. “Can you stay? I... I don’t want to be alone.”

I hesitate for a moment, looking back at the guys, and they nod, giving me the space. I slide into the bed next to her, careful to leave enough room, but she shifts closer, her fingers clutching the fabric of my shirt as she nestles against me. I wrap an arm around her, rubbing slow, gentle circles on her back, and I feel her relax, her breathing evening out as she drifts off to sleep.

I must’ve dozed off, too, because I’m startled awake by the buzzing of my phone. I fumble for it, silencing the ringer as quickly as I can so it doesn’t wake her. It’s a message from one of our contacts—a problem at the warehouse that needs immediate attention. I sigh, knowing I have to go, and carefully extract myself from the bed.

Before leaving, I send a quick text to Nate, asking him to come take my place so Sofia doesn’t wake up alone. Within a few minutes, he appears at the door, his expression soft as he takes in the sight of her curled up on the bed.

“Thanks, man,” I whisper, stepping aside so he can slip into the bed. He lies down next to her, pulling her close until she’s tucked against his chest, her head resting on his shoulder. He’s so damn natural at it, and I feel a stab of jealousy watching the way he wraps his arm around her, protective and gentle.

I replay Leo’s words in my head, and it hits me—Nate’s been like this from the start. He’s always been the composed, detached one, the guy who doesn’t show emotion. But with Sofia, he’s different. It’s like he can’t help but be close to her, can’t stop himself from reaching out, touching her, holding her like she’s something fragile and precious.

I push the jealousy down, reminding myself of our agreement. This is how it has to be if we’re all going to share her, if we’re all going to be hers. She’s our girl, all of ours, and we can’t let jealousy ruin that. But watching Nate with her, seeing the way he holds her like it’s the most natural thing in the world, I realize just how much she’s changed things for us. She’s brought something into our lives that I didn’t even know was missing. And I’ll be damned if I let anyone else take that away from us.

I close the door quietly, leaving them behind as I head out to handle the situation at the warehouse. But as I drive away, my thoughts keep drifting back to her, to the way she fit so perfectly in my arms, the way she reached out to me, trusting me to stay. She’s ours now, and we’re hers. No matter what, we’ll keep her safe, and we’ll protect what’s ours.