Page 33 of Puck Blocked
“Why?” I ask, a little shocked Aliyah would lie to her two best friends.
“Because I’m not ready to share my new friend with the world. And until we’re ready…” Aliyah points between Montana and herself. “...no one needs to know about her.”
I have no doubt that Kathryn and Liliana know about my new houseguest. Liliana did tag along with us when we went to hunt down Andrew. She didn’t know the reason, though. It’s not my story to share. It’s Montana’s. To share, when and if she wants.
“Okay, I’m going. But I’ll just be down the road, Tanna. If you need anything, call me,” I tell her.
“I’ll be okay. Go… See your friends,” she says.
I look at her for another minute. I really don’t want to fucking leave her.
“Luke, go. I’m sleeping over, so I’ll be here all night,” Aliyah tells me.
“Okay. But I won’t be long.” I sigh before walking out the door.
Chapter Seventeen
“Ithought he’d never leave,” Aliyah huffs.
“Thank you for coming over. And I’m sorry you’re missing the barbecue.”
“Come on, let’s get this party started. And don’t be sorry. Gray will probably burn everything he grills anyway.” Aliyah walks right past me.
I follow her into the poolroom. I’ve avoided this place like the plague. I don’t do so well with bodies of water. Standing at the doorway, I watch as Aliyah lowers herself onto one of the loungers.
“Well, don’t just stand there. Come on in,” she says before uncorking a bottle of wine.
“Um…. can we go in the living room or the theater room instead?” I ask her, not moving from the doorway.
“You don’t like the pool?”
I shake my head, thankful when she stands up and walks towards me.
“Okay, let’s do the living room,” she says without pressing for an explanation. That’s the thing I like most about Aliyah. She’s not pushy and never questions why I can’t or won’t do something.
“Thank you.”
“Pfft, it’s your house. You get to decide where we party, Montana.”
I don’t correct her. Even though we both know this is Luke’s house. Not mine. I curl up on one of the sofas and take the glass Aliyah pushes in my direction.
“Do you live close by too?” I’ve just now realized I haven’t asked her much about her life. Other than the fact she’s married to Liam King, and that she’s Grayson Monroe’s sister, I don’t know much about the woman.
“Not too far. Liam didn’t want to live this close to my brother. They have this whole love/hate bromance thing going on. Neither one of them wants to admit they actually like each other.”
“Is that hard for you?”
“No, because they’re both great guys. They love me. And besides, it’s fun to watch.” She shrugs. “So, what’s been going on inside these walls?” She raises her eyebrows.
“Nothing.” I sigh. “Luke won’t leave. He’s afraid I’m going to… Well, he thinks if he’s not around, I’m going to do something awful.”
“Are you? Going to do something awful?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so. I don’t want to be the reason he’s not playing.”
“What if you come to the rink? I can be there with you. I mean, I don’t need an excuse to watch Liam play.”
I consider what she’s asking. I want to go. I would love to see Luke play, actually be there to watch him. “What if people know?”
