*Draven*

This birthday has been a very eventful one from the start. I still can't believe that the hot chick from the store is my brother's best friend, Wren. Why he would keep the fact that his best friend was a girl from me is beyond me. I just can't believe he hasn't fucked her.

Which leads me to believe he's gay. If he is that's fine with me. I just want him to be able to tell me.

"The guys are waiting for us at the house," Reese's voice brings me out of my thoughts.

I glance at my watch and realize they're early. I slowly bring my attention to Reese.

I can't hold back any longer- I have to ask. "Are you gay?"

Reese snaps his head in my direction, his eyes widen in horror, "What the fuck makes you think I'm gay?" He shouts at me. The look on his face is absolutely priceless. Okay, maybe my suspicions were wrong, but I had to ask. There is nothing wrong with asking.

"Well, because of Wren," I tell him gingerly.

He glances at me before turning his attention back to the road. "So because of Wren, you think I'm gay?" He asks with amusement. This conversation has ranked number one in the strangest conversations I have ever had with my brother category.

He glances at me again. "Shit, you're serious," he rushes out in shock.

After a moment of silence, he laughs uncontrollably. I'm glad he's taking this so well. Normally he's quick to snap someone's head off.

"I'll have you know I am very attracted to women. Plus, I just got out of a relationship but that's a story for another day," he says softly.

I didn't know he was in a relationship. Maybe that has to do with Wren?

"Look, Wren isn't like most girls. She and her kids are very special to me and I would do anything for them," he says with so much emotion.

"Wait, she has kids?" I question in shock. I would have never guessed.

Reese pulls into his driveway never answering my question. Three men come into view as we near the house. Our friends Sam, Matt, and Sean wait patiently by their car for us to arrive.

It's been a long time since the five of us have gotten together. Reese parks the car and we get out.

"It's about time the Knight brothers bless us with their presence," Matt yells, as he and the guys approach us. They pull us in for a hug.

I chuckle and hug them back.

We have known Matt, Sam, and Sean our entire lives, so a bro hug is acceptable.

"What the hell took you guys so long?" Sam questions us.

"We had to drop off my friend Wren," Reese answers fishes his keys from his pocket and walks to the front door unlocking it.

When we entered I was completely shocked by how well-kept his place is. Reese has always been a messy person. So much so, that our mother used to make weekly trips here just to wash his clothes and clean his house.

"Looks like my baby brother has finally grown up," I mumble.

"Did you hire a housekeeper?" Sean asks as he looks around.

"No, I didn't hire a housekeeper. I have a Wren," he answers proudly.

"She cleans your house too?" I ask in shock. Reese gives me a pointed look.

Sam approaches Reese stopping directly in front of him. "You mean to tell me that Wren is a girl?" Sam finally asks.

"Sheesh, since when is it a crime for a man to have a girl as a best friend?" Reese shouts, throwing his arms in the air.

I can't wait for them to see the goddess.

"You're gay aren't you?" Matt chimes in.

I couldn't hold back my amusement any longer and laughed hysterically, "That's the same thing I asked."

"No I'm not fucking gay," Reese grits through his teeth. Everyone laughs hard at his reaction.

"You laugh now, but when you meet her you'll wish you were me!" He locks his eyes on me. My laughter ceases immediately knowing he is right. The guys quiet down when they realize his seriousness.

No one brings the subject back up and for the next few hours, we catch up on each other's lives. Reese's phone rings and we all bring our attention to him. A huge smile makes its way to his face as he goes to answer it and I know exactly who it is.

"Hello love," Reese answers his phone. His eyes land on me and his smile widens. What was that look for?

"Yeah give me a second and I'll be out," he says before hanging up. "I'll be right back, Wren needs help."

Sam, Matt, Sean, and I all take a seat at the bar as we wait for Reese and Wren to join us. Matt looks in the direction of the door before leaning forward on the bar and whispers, "Is she hot?"

Sean and Sam lean into the table as well waiting for my answer. I can't help but find their behavior amusing, acting like teenage virgins. I plaster a smile on my face slowly lean back in my seat and cross my arms.

"Well?" Matt questions in annoyance.

"She's so sexy she makes me want to get on my knees and beg her to marry me," I tell them. All three of them stare back at me stunned. I know the shocked look on their faces matches mine. What the hell made me say that?

Before any of them can respond, the sound of the door shutting catches our attention. Reese and Wren's voices echo through the house. The sound of high heels clicking on the hardwood floor sends chills up my spine. I don't think any woman has ever had this effect on me. Not even my ex!

Reese is the first to enter carrying a large silver pan in one hand and bags in the other, followed by Wren who is also carrying a pan and bags. I immediately spring from my seat and take the items from Wren's hands.

She looks up at me and gives me a warm smile. "Thank you!"

Wren's attention is pulled away when someone clears their throat. Matt, Sean, and Sam all stand at the bar with huge grins on their faces.

Wren waves. "Hello," she greets them sweetly. All three men rush forward like horny puppies and introduce themselves, each taking turns kissing her hand. I feel myself getting slightly annoyed with them touching her.

I was so lost in my thoughts I never noticed Reese next to me, until I felt his hand touch my back. "Don't worry brother they don't stand a chance with her," Reese tells me confidently.

I raise my eyebrow. "Why would I be worried?" I ask, giving him a look.

Reese chuckles, "Don't give me that look." He was always good at calling me out on my bullshit. "I see the way you look at her, Draven."

I turn my gaze to Wren, who is caught up in a conversation with the guys. My eyes roam her entire body from head to toe. That little black dress hugs every inch of her body perfectly giving you a sneak peek at what's underneath.

Her black knee-high boots top it all off.

I bring my gaze back to Reese who is already staring at me waiting for a reply. "Am I really that obvious?" I didn't think anyone would notice.

"Very!" He chuckles. I sigh and run my hand over my face. It's amazing that I just met her only hours ago and she already has my emotions all tied up in a knot.

"Can I ask you a favor?" Reese's voice pulls me from my thoughts.

He knows he can ask me anything. "Of course," I tell him honestly.

"Don't hurt her. She's been through so much over the years and I don't want her to get hurt," he says softly. The way he said that is unsettling to me.

"What kind of hurt are you talking about, Reese?"

Reese glances quickly in Wren's direction, before motioning me to follow him into the hall. I don't think I'm going to like what he's about to tell me.

Reese groans as he leans back against the wall.

He quickly gives me a short version of Wren's past. Starting with how she lost her parents at a young age and being an only child. Then he moved on to tell me how she was both physically and emotionally abused by her ex Max for years and how her children, Oakley and Grayson, were always present during the beatings.

My mind is completely blown away by the information Reese has given me. Just when I thought it couldn't get more fucked up it does.

He proceeds to tell me that after each beating Wren received, Max made her and the children clean up the blood. My heart clenches at the thought of Wren being hurt and forced to clean up her own blood along with her children.

"This Max person sounds like a monster to me," I say quietly to Reese.

I'm an asshole and from time to time a monster myself. Abusing women and children, however, is not my forte. In fact, I've killed a few of my men for striking their woman. I don't tolerate that shit.

"That's because he is," A female voice comes from behind me. Both Reese and I snap our heads toward the doorway. A very sexy-looking Wren stands with her arms crossed over her chest. Holy shit, where did she come from?

"Sorry love," Reese immediately apologizes to her.

She walks towards him closing the distance between them by pulling him into a hug. "Let's not dwell on the past." A sad smile forms on her lips.

She turns her attention to me. "I have a surprise for you," she says in excitement and grabs my hand with her soft one, pulling me behind her. The warmth of her hand does something to me.

What surprise could she possibly have for me?

She lets go of my hand as we approach the table. I look at the contents of the table. A big pan of baked pasta sits in the center. To the left is a bowl of salad with different dressings next to it. The food looks and smells amazing.

"Oh wait," Wren says loudly and rushes to the fridge pulls out a smaller pan, and sits it on the table.

I glance around the table, "What's all this for?" I ask.

"Well, you and I got off to a rocky start, and since it's your birthday, I decided to make you a birthday dinner as well as a peace offering." She smiles. "And instead of baking a cake, I made cherry delight," she says excitedly.

Well damn, that's nice of her.

"You didn't have to do that," I tell her truthfully.

Her smile drops slightly but widens seconds later. "I know, but I wanted to," she responds without looking at me.

I slowly step forward and place my hand on her chin, pulling it up gently so that she is looking at me. I feel her shiver under my touch.

"Thank you," I say and release her. She turns her attention back to the table. Reese is leaning on the counter with a smirk on his face.

"Let's eat," he shouts, clapping his hands together. He pushes himself off the counter and pulls out a chair for Wren. She thanks him before taking her seat.

He and I both sit next to her as Sam, Sean, and Matt sit across from us. Wren bursts into laughter when Reese's stomach growls loudly.

"Eat up," Wren says gesturing towards the food. She doesn't need to tell us twice.

I noticed that Wren was waiting until we all had our serving before she served herself. I don't know what came over me, but I took her plate put a few scoops of pasta on it, and sat it back down in front of her before I continued to fill my plate. She gives me a timid smile and turns her attention to the food. Once again she waits until we all take a bite before she does. This doesn't settle well with me at all, but I'll let it go for now.