Chapter Five

Hailey's pov

I locked my gaze on Carmelo, words failing me completely. I never could have imagined he’d look so…

Handsome.

Yet, despite his refined features, there was a chill about him. His eyes gave away nothing, and his face held no hint of emotion, not even a flicker to reveal his true thoughts. Truthfully, he seemed like this was the very last place he wanted to be.

In other words, Carmelo clearly wasn’t thrilled to be here.

My gaze drifted from his face to his hand. 

Even his hands were inked with tattoos. He gripped his duffle bag tightly, as if debating whether to chuck it at us or bolt for the door. I really hoped he wouldn’t pick the first option.

Mom turned around. “Carmelo, this is our daughter, Hailey.” She rested a hand on my shoulder, then gestured to Jayson’s beaming face. “And this is our son, Jayson. He’s been excited to have an older—”

Carmelo’s voice cut through, sharp and sudden, making me flinch. Deep and gravelly, it sent a shiver snaking down my spine. “Where will I be staying?” he interrupted, his tone blunt.

“Oh! Hailey, can you show Carmelo to his room—” 

Carmelo’s blue eyes flashed with irritation. “I’m not incapable of following directions to a room,” he snapped.

“Oh,” Mom said, her voice tinged with disappointment, though she nodded. 

“Upstairs, two doors down on the left. It’s across from a white door with flowers and Minnie Mouse stickers,” she added.

I winced inwardly. That flowery, Minnie Mouse-stickered door was mine. Carmelo would be sleeping in the room right across from me. I wasn’t sure how to feel about that, to be honest.

“Great,” Carmelo muttered, his tone flat and uninterested. He turned and walked off. We all watched his retreating back until he vanished up the stairs. After a few moments of awkward, heavy silence, I decided to break it.

I turned to Mom and Dad, my voice hesitant. “So, Carmelo seems kind of—”

“Cool!” Jayson shouted, bursting into a gleeful laugh.

I shot a narrow-eyed glare at Jayson as Dad set him down on his feet. Had he completely missed the tattoos and the icy way Carmelo looked at us? I’d thought those inked-up arms might’ve scared Jayson off, but apparently, I was still being upstaged by a tall, muscular, tattooed guy.

“I was thinking more… cold,” I said pointedly. “He looked like he might chuck that bag at us just for standing there.”

He seemed like he’d just walked out of juvie. Mom offered an awkward smile, while Dad’s gaze stayed fixed on the staircase, his eyes hard. “He buried his mom yesterday,” Mom said softly. “We need to give him time to settle in. He’s angry at the world right now, and all we can do is be patient.”

I guess Mom had a point. But patience? That wasn’t my strong suit. I’m more of a hit-first, think-later kind of girl—probably why trouble always seems to find me.

I edged closer to her, my voice low, eyes glued to the staircase in case Carmelo reappeared. “Couldn’t you have at least given me a heads-up that he’d be sleeping right across from my room?” I whispered.

Mom’s brows knitted together. “I didn’t think it’d be an issue. It’s the only guest room on the second floor, Hailey.”

“There’s Grandma’s room,” I shot back, my tone dripping with sarcasm.

“Grandma’s room is on the first floor, and you know she’d throw a fit climbing those stairs,” Mom replied, matching my sarcasm beat for beat. Guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

“Grandma only stays for two days every other week! Her legs wouldn’t hurt that much, and besides, climbing stairs is good exercise,” I huffed. What was the big deal with tackling a flight of steps, even if you’re older and your legs complain a bit?

Grandma Marlie wasn’t even that old, but she loved playing the frail card. She just craved attention, and Mom and Dad were blind to it. Fine, maybe I was being a little harsh. But that might’ve had something to do with Jayson being her golden grandchild.

Jayson, of all people!

Mom studied my face, her eyes thoughtful. “Why are you so worked up about Carmelo sleeping in the upstairs guest room?”

I clamped my lips shut, caught off guard. She’d asked the one question I didn’t have an answer for.

Or maybe I knew the reason for my sudden unease but wasn’t ready to admit it to myself.

“Yeah, why are you so upset, Hailey?” Jayson snickered.

I shot him a glare that could’ve burned holes, but it only made him laugh harder. That little traitor was already Team Carmelo, even though the guy barely gave him a glance.

“I think I know why she’s so rattled,” Dad said suddenly, and I froze.

Had he already seen through me? Could he sense the thoughts swirling in my head? Did he know about the inappropriate spark I felt for Mom’s new ward?

“It’s the tattoos, isn’t it? They’re intimidating you,” Dad mumbled, catching me completely off guard.

“They’re just tattoos, Hailey. They don’t bite. Carmelo’s a good kid,” Mom said, her voice soft but uncertain. Her eyes betrayed her, flickering with doubt. She wasn’t just trying to convince me, she was reassuring herself. One glance at Carmelo, and your mind couldn’t help but drift to dangerous places.

“It’s not the tattoos. I just—” 

Just what, Hailey? Suddenly feeling that unfamiliar ache between your thighs while staring into the most captivating blue eyes you’ve ever seen?

At least my mind was honest about it. My mouth, though, better stay zipped.

I sighed, irritation bubbling up. “Okay, fine, it’s his tattoos. They’re intimidating,” I lied, the words sliding out easily.

“And he looks like he’d murder me in my sleep,” I whispered. That part was true. Carmelo had a vibe like he could strangle me without blinking. I might’ve been okay with him strangling me, just not the way he probably intended.

Oh God, what was wrong with me? 

“Hailey, we can’t be his enemies. He needs us to be there for him right now. Carmelo won’t hurt you. You’ve got to stop watching those thriller movies,” Mom said, pinching the bridge of her nose.

She was right. He was grieving his mom’s death, which explained his icy, prickly attitude.

I nodded, conceding her point. “Good. Your dad and I need to sort out our clothes and get them back into the closet. After that, I’ll start on dinner. Since we have a new addition, I was thinking Carmelo could choose tonight’s meal.” She glanced between Jayson and me, waiting for a response.

Jayson bobbed his head enthusiastically, and I gave a half-hearted shrug. “Fine by me.”

Mom’s face lit up with a warm smile. “Good. Hailey, go up to Carmelo’s room and ask if he has a special meal he’d like me to make. Maybe you could help him unpack his stuff, it’d be a great way to bond.”

Sure, Mom, just toss me into the lion’s den, why don’t you?