Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 788(@200wpm)___ 631(@250wpm)___ 526(@300wpm)
“You did!”
“Baby, everyone knew but you,” Talon utters.
“How did everyone know my brother is with my best friend?”
“How did you not know?” Ford teases.
“I understand you and the guys figured it out because you’re like super spy heroes trained with lethal interrogation and deductive skills. But everyone else?”
Ford’s eyes light with hilarity. “Super spy heroes? Not sure we had to dig into our training to figure this one out.”
It’s too much, thinking of my brother in love with my best friend and the fact they’re running around in secret.
Dad picks up on my inner thoughts and pins me with the ‘Dad’ glare. “Willow, your brother and Bex are waiting to hear from you. They have their reasons for keeping their relationship confidential.”
“They know I know?” I glance at Talon. ”Did you say something when you took Wyatt home?”
“Didn’t have to. Apparently, you weren’t as quiet as you thought.”
“Oh God.” I bury my head in his chest. “This is awful. Not only am I scarred for life, I interrupted them.”
“Jesus,” Dad mutters. “Some things a father doesn’t need to know.”
“Sorry.” Not sorry. He should feel my pain. “I’ll call them, Dad. Give me a few days to get home and get my thoughts together.”
Talon goes stone still. “You are home.”
Mom’s eyes bug out. “I didn’t realize you moved in here.”
“I didn’t.”
“Last Friday,” Talon says at the same time.
My attempt to lunge out of his hold doesn’t get me far before he twists me back to his side. “I didn’t move in,” I reiterate.
“How long have you two been together, exactly?” Mom directs her question to Talon.
“Does it matter?” His brazen tone is loaded with challenge.
“It’s very soon—”
“Stacy, now’s not the time.” Dad cuts her off.
“Sterling, I am trying to figure out—”
“Not the time,” he repeats forcefully.
She snaps her mouth shut.
“How about a refill?” Rowan offers, trying to break the tension.
“You have any bourbon?” Dad asks, settling into a barstool.
“I’ll take one of those,” Talon tells Ford, who is already at the liquor cabinet.
With everyone occupied, I turn to face Talon and narrow my eyes. “I did not move in with you.”
His lips curl with a one-sided grin.
“I didn’t!”
“I’m the love of your life and the man of your dreams.”
Me and my big mouth.
“I take it back.”
His grin widens. “No backtracking. And I’ll give you a few days to let it sink in.”
“What does that mean?”
He shakes his head, the blue of his irises twinkling. “Uh-uh. Not getting into that right now with a room full of people. Taking baby steps.”
“You’re seriously saying I need baby steps?” I practically snarl.
“Careful, Princess. Keep it up and see what happens.”
My stomach churns for a new reason as desire coils low. I want to push him, knowing it always works out in my favor. But a little nagging in my brain reminds me my parents are near.
“I hate you,” I say with absolutely no conviction.
“That’s too bad because I love you, and in about an hour, I plan to show you how much.”
Damn him! Now I’m a puddle of goo.
Wolf pounces to his feet, barking wildly right before there’s a knock at my door. Grandma comes from down the hall; Grandpa doesn’t move from his spot on the sofa, watching the television that didn’t need replacing.
“Someone’s at the door,” he announces casually.
“You don’t say. Is that what that loud knock was?”
“Aren’t you going to answer it?”
“You’re closer.”
“My hip is bothering me.”
Suspicion prickles up my spine. “You’re lying.”
He shrugs as another knock sounds. Wolf is hopping in circles, about to have a doggy fit. I’m a few feet from the door when it dawns on me. “You didn’t!” I hiss.
“Open the door, Willow,” Grandma commands sternly.
This is the last thing I need today. It’s taken more than a few days to get my thoughts together over Chase’s relationship with Bex. My brain swirls with questions about the whole situation. Cleaning out the townhome has been a distraction until today.
Because today my brain space is locked on a bigger issue.
Meeting the parents.
Mark and April Simms are headed into town and staying in the same house I’m temporarily ‘residing’. My nerves have been shot.
And now there’s another drama lurking on my doorstep.
I suck in a breath, mentally preparing as I swing it open. Chase stands there with his arm draped around Bex. My heart stops at the pure anguish on her face.
She meets my gaze and her eyes mist over.
When I glance at him, his expression is pure anger. “It’s been four fucking days. You refuse to acknowledge our calls and texts. She’s fucking hurting. Are you happy with yourself?”
My own anger and indignance dissolve as guilt takes their place. “Bex?”
“I’m sorry we hid our relationship. It was my fault. I begged Chase to give it time, see if it would stick. He pushed me to open up, but I was scared. In the back of my mind, I knew if we didn’t work out, there was a lot at risk. Your family, Wyatt… your friendship is too precious to jeopardize.”