Free Something to Believe In (The Renegade Saints Book 4) by Ella Fox

you obviously know Bree is Gavin’s sister,” I said.
    A look of surprise had flitted across her face before she shrugged.
    “I didn’t, actually.”
    “Okay… well, I assumed… She is. No one calls her Gabrielle, though.”
    “That doesn’t mean nothing is going on,” she pointed out. “She’s a beautiful girl and the way you ran to her—”
    “She’s like my sister, too,” I answered honestly, imploring her with my eyes to listen and give me the benefit of the doubt. “Gavin and Bree are my family. I was happy to see her because I know something’s up with her lately, but it wasn’t because anything is going on with us. There isn’t and there never will be.”
    She shifted in the door as she eyed me suspiciously. I could tell she wasn’t certain if she could or should take my word for it.
    “I’m an asshole,” I admitted, “but I’d never fuck around with anyone else if I were in a relationship. Until, uh… right now… well…”
    I floundered before blurting, “I’ve stayed as far from that crazy ride as possible.”
    Her brows shot up in surprise. “What does that mean?”
    I hated my stupid fucking mouth for writing checks I had no interest in cashing. I had most definitely not intended to open that can of worms, especially not when I was about to ask her to give me a shot. The bare minimum of detail would have to do.
    “To this point I haven’t ever done commitment,” I said gruffly. “It’s not been… my fuckin’ bag.”
    “ Ohhhh ,” she drawled acidly. “Not your bag. Of course you’re a typical celebrity jerk. Too much ass to ever settle down with just one, am I right?”
    I stared at her in shock. She was hardcore when she was pissed. It was kinda hot.
    “It’s not that, I swear,” I asserted firmly. “Look, there are reasons and it’s not what you think. That’s why what went down in the bathroom made me freak out. I normally hook up with random chicks I’ll never see again. You and I see each other every day—”
    “Not really,” she countered. “Aside from our tongue tango last night, you’ve managed to avoid me or treat me like shit since day one. There’s no reason for the way you’ve acted,” she pointed out.
    I silently applauded her for calling me out, even though I hated being put on the spot. Kitten had claws and she wasn’t afraid to use them.
    “Which is really why I’m here,” I admitted. “I owe you an apology for being a prick in the bathroom and in general. Also, I have something I’d like to run by you.”
    The look she gave me wasn’t encouraging but I was set on seeing it through. I had to.
    “Okay,” she said after a moment’s hesitation. “Go ahead and start with the first thing.”
    I stared down at her stupidly. “First thing?” I questioned.
    “You said you wanted to apologize,” she retorted. “I’m waitin’.”
    “ I just did ,” I sputtered.
    “Nope,” she said with an emphatic shake of her head. “You said you owed me an apology but you never actually gave it. Saddle up and get it together or ride your ass right on back to your room.”
    It was kinda hilarious that I’d assumed she was a timid little thing. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Daisy wasn’t a doormat—far from it.
    “You’re right,” I admitted. “This is my official apology for being—”
    “An uptight, arrogant, smug, douchebag asshole prick,” she supplied before I could.
    “Uh,” I coughed, “yeah. All those things.”
    “How about being a hostile and downright rude egg-suckin’ dog?”
    I’d never heard that one before, but I knew if I laughed, she’d probably kick my ass so I bit the inside of my cheek and nodded my head. “That too,” I assured her.
    “Are you going to be more personable from here on out?”
    “Yes,” I answered firmly. “I will be. Scout’s honor.”
    She cocked her head to the side and snorted in disbelief. “Were you even a Scout?”
    “Actually, yes.”
    Her eyes widened in surprise. “Well