My Ex’s Roommates: Chapter 62

“Mom?” Silas’ voice cracked and he had to clear his throat. “What are y’all doing here?”

Terry looked around and raised his eyebrows. “What are we interrupting?”

I was too caught in my own head to step up and introduce my brothers but Danny didn’t need help. I watched as he smiled at Silas’ family and stepped forward with his hand out.

“We’re Harper’s brothers. I’m Danny, those two less handsome versions of me are Jay and Matt.” He shook Terry’s hand and then Samantha’s. “Nice to meet y’all.”

Terry stepped slightly in front of his wife. “Aren’t you supposed to be in prison for another few years?”

Jay’s charming smirk widened. “I can promise you that had we escaped prison, it wouldn’t be to come to a college campus.”

Samantha slapped Terry’s arm and pushed him aside. “Ignore my husband. He put his foot in his mouth the last time we were here, too. I’m Samantha. I’m Silas’ mom. This is his father, Terry, and his little brothers, Kelson and Aimes. You must be so happy your brothers are home, Harper!”

Silas hugged his mom. “Yeah, I’m still wondering what y’all are doing here.”

“Don’t be rude, Silas! We wanted to come early for the game this weekend. This is perfect, though! We can all have dinner together. I’d love to get to know you three. Harper is such a sweetheart and I understand that you’re partially responsible for that.” Samantha patted Silas on the cheek and then hooked her arm through Matt’s. “You must be the strong, silent one.”

We watched as they walked towards the living room together, leaving the rest of us standing in silence. Terry sighed and then looked up at me and smiled. “I guess we’re having dinner together.”

“Hey, Silas?” Kelson’s grin was maniacal. “Do Harper’s giant brothers know that you sleep naked with her?”

Silas growled and reached for his little brother but Kelson was faster. Both kids ran towards the living room laughing. Taking a deep breath through his nose, Silas looked at Danny and Jay. “How do you think I’d fare in prison?”

Danny threw his arm over Silas’ shoulder and led him away. “I can’t see it working out very well for you. You’d cry without my sister to hold your hand.”

“You’re not wrong.” Silas tossed a heated look at me over his shoulder.

Terry rubbed his temples and nodded at Jay. “There are days I think prison would be easier than being married with three kids.”

Both men moved towards the living room following everyone else. Jay laughed easily at Terry and nodded. “I think you’re right.”

Then it was just me standing alone with Dylan and Carter. Before either of them could say anything the door flew open and Casey stormed in with her parents behind her. Dressed impeccably in designer outfits, they looked like they were headed towards a fancy gala.

“I was supposed to be out on a date! Not here!” Casey didn’t even notice the three of us still standing there.

Mora and Chris Hayes noticed us. Chris straightened his suit jacket and smiled at me. “We wanted to come meet your brothers.”

I forced a smile and nodded to the living room. “They’re holding court with everyone else. Thank you so much for whatever you did to get them out. I don’t know all the details yet but I know I owe your family in a big way.”

Carter stepped closer to me. “You don’t owe us anything, Harper.”

“Carter’s right.” Chris clapped his son on the shoulder and eased his wife towards the living room. “I’ve heard some interesting things about your brothers from the warden and I can’t wait to pick their brains.”

Right after they went into the overcrowded living room Silas slipped out and slowly made his way over to me. His eyes were intense but he slipped his hands into his pockets and stayed several feet back. “If we ran out now we could probably get out of the dinner they’re all planning.”

I wanted to see my brothers more but I was feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated. I wasn’t sure I could handle a dinner with everyone. I glanced at the front door and swallowed down the urge to run back to my room and hide. “I wouldn’t mind-”

“Don’t even think about it, you four.” Samantha stuck her head out of the living room and laughed. “We’re going to eat here. I’d offer to cook but…”

“I’ve got it.” Dylan smiled at Silas’ mom and then turned to me. “You could probably still run. Vance would probably come over to go for another walk with you.”

The idea of Vance taking me for another walk made me smile. Looking up at Dylan through my lashes, I shook my head. “I could help cook?”

The three of them stilled. Carter inched closer. “Are you sure?”

I took a deep breath and thought of Truth on three. I wasn’t ready to walk away from them and I couldn’t keep hiding. If there was a chance of us moving past everything, I had to be around them to try. Suddenly self-conscious about how I looked after two weeks of lock-down in my room, I ran my hands over my hair. “Um, yeah. Just… It has to be slow this time.”

Dylan nodded. “Whatever you need.”