Page 90 of Until Then

But both Hayden boys have the same, beautifully sly smirk.

“He’s glad to have you,” Rees says. “Thanks for loving him. And not ghosting him.”

I feign disbelief and shove his shoulder. “I freaked out back then, okay. A little thing like dating some sex-symbol TV star isn’t going to run me off this time.”

“Good.” Rees straightens and watches the waves in the distance.

“I have a question for you. Well, more want your opinion.”

“Go for it.”

“How far of a reach do you have on your socials?”

Rees arches a brow. “My personal ones or the band’s?”

“Yours.”

“Uh, I’m not super active. It’s more our social media managers, but I have over a million followers. Noah will definitely point out that he has two.”

I run my palms over the tops of my thighs. “How would you feel with me making a live statement on your profile?”

Rees tilted his head to one side. “You look like you’re scheming. I’m on board with scheming.”

I smile and tell him exactly my plan.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Noah

The glow of my phone stirs me awake. How long have I been asleep?

The shades of my room are drawn, but through the crack, pale sunlight is trying to break through. With a groan, I stretch out an arm and slap around on my nightstand until I have my phone. I blink through the assault of the screen light, but snap up.

I have over forty text messages.

This is why I should toss my phone in the ocean. Until I realize it’s not Rob or my PR team scrambling with damage control. Those messages are there, to be sure, but most are from a massive group text that consists of Carter, Perfectly Broken, and some of the Vegas Kings retirees.

I use the heel of one hand to rub the sleep from my eyes and skim through some of the messages.

Dax: I think he should get married in May, like me and Blake.

Bridger: As long as it’s in our backyard.

Tate: Yours! I intentionally designed my yard so you idiots would only want to spend time at my house. My house, Noah. Ellie and I will make it epic.

Rees: He’s not even awake, Hawkins.

Tate: He will be eventually, and I’m staking claim on the backyard wedding.

Bridger: I already did, T

Tate: Then I quit the band.

Parker: Rage quit after all these years. I respect that Tator-tot. Bridge needs to be humbled.

Bridger: Hey, Knight, do you want to see your nephews or . . .

Parker: Gare loves me more than you, and Declan is obsessed with Ever, so . . .

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