Page 63 of Love Finds Home

Joker adds, “And I have someone following the flower guy. If it was him at all, we’ll get him.”

I watch the two of them disappear down the hall to the back room where the security stuff is kept.

“What do you think?” Bash surprises me by asking Davis.

“I think glossy eyes means drugs are at play. Maybe someone’s holding his supply up unless he works some magic with whoever the artist is.”

“They were glossy tonight, but I chalked it up to fear,” Ranger tells us.

“Why don’t we just call him and ask him what their name was?” I say to no one in particular.

“Because then Mr. Loverboy would be convinced that you also love him and it would all start over again.”

“So if he doesn’t have access to your studio, who was moving your stuff and making you think you were crazy?” Ginny asks, recalling our drunk confessions.

“I don’t know.” I look at her, a chill running up my spine.

If it’s not Stefon fucking with everything, who is it and how long have they had access to my personal spaces?

I sit in silence, watching everyone take in what’s been shared. The men, overprotective oafs that they are, look ready to burn down cities. The women look worried. Lottie is the first one to move my direction, which sends everyone into motion. The guys surround Ranger, talking in low tones. Wouldn’t want the women folk to overhear, right? The girls, including my mom, surround me.

“I’m so sorry, Elle. I wish I had known,” Lottie tells me, pulling me up from my chair and into a hug.

I’m pulled from her arms into Mom’s embrace. “You got some splanin’ to do, Elenore. But whatever you need, I’m here. And don’t worry. Your brother’s got some talking to do, too. About keeping secrets from the family.”

“Oh, Mom,” I cry, pulling back from her enough to see her face. “Don’t be mad at Bash. He did it because I asked him to. I didn’t want you to worry.”

“Honey, that’s my job. It’s like number one on the ‘Mom List’ they don’t give you when you leave the hospital.”

Ginny and Trish also pull me in for hugs, and we make a plan. The brides to be and their almost spouses need to leave. They have a long day tomorrow getting beautiful and need some sleep before beginning the rest of their lives.

“I can’t believe you’re just kicking us out,” Tiny whines when we ambush the men. “What if I don’t want to leave? You’re my sister!”

“Then we’ll have to plan another wedding at a later date, Andrew.” Lottie gives him this look that would terrify me, but he just grins.

“Not gonna happen, Princess.”

“Then take me home.”

Tiny grumbles, but finally agrees to leave. Pulling me into a giant bear hug, he tells me, “Next time, you call me, understand?”

“Yeah, baby brother, I understand.”

I watch them leave and am crushed by the guilt that I’m ruining their special day.

“Get that thought out of your head. You didn’t do this.” Trish sidles up to me, pulling me into her side.

“Didn’t I?”

“Nope. Some asshole out there did this to you, and we are doing what we do and rallying the troops.”

“You need to go get some sleep. You have a big day tomorrow.”

“You think I’ll be able to pull Davis out of this? Look at him, he’s practically bouncing on his feet.”

“Then leave him here and I’ll go back with you,” Ginny tells Trish, coming into our bubble.

“I couldn’t ask you to do that.” Trish shakes her head.

---