Page 76 of Talk About… Rivalry

Mama Whitaker had cut them all into quilt sized pieces and I had sewn them together before putting backing on them. At least one of my many hobbies had paid off.

Avery inspected each one and when she looked back up at me her eyes were full of tears.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” I said, feeling almost as emotional as she did.

“Okay, no tears, you two!” Mama Whitaker was exasperated through her own tears. “We still have desserts and you have a pile of gifts left.”

When she finally opened up the last gift she had everything that they could possibly need for these babies. Swings, playpens, blankets, diapers, wipes, outfits, an array of bottles, and anything in between.

I just hoped the nursery was big enough to hold it all.

As the party started to wind down I stood off to the side nibbling on a piece of chocolate cake. My goal was to avoid small talk but Mama Whitaker zeroed in on me. She leaned against the wall by my side, looking out over the party.

“When are you going to give me grandbabies?” she teased, bumping her shoulder against mine.

For a moment I panicked, worried that she suspected about me and Maverick. Maybe she read too much into him storming here during meal prep day or maybe he’d said something.

One glance at her had me taking a breath. She was only teasing, so I forced myself to joke right back.

“If I have any say about it. Never. Avery’s got that covered for the both of us.”

She chuckled at that. “Her hands are going to be full.”

“She’s got a village, though,” I promised. “Between you, me, and half the town, those babies will be well loved.”

“They sure will,” she agreed. “This town did the same for me when I needed them. Rockwood Valley is special, we always look out for each other.”

Someone grabbed her attention and she gave my arm a squeeze before hurrying off. I let out a breath, relieved to not have to keep hold of my own mask for much longer.

People started to leave, and like the coward I was, I slipped out with them. I’d at least stopped to give Avery a tight hug before rushing to my car.

When I was behind the wheel, I wasn’t sure what to do or where to go. The idea of relying on the guys was still crazy and I was terrified that they had changed their minds. I hadn’t even gotten a single text today.

My plan was to head back to the ranch and hide away. Yet, the moment I left Whitaker Ranch, I found myself driving right back to Leo’s place.

Taylor

Waking up to find that Sidney had snuck out left me feeling uneasy. Maverick reassured us all that it was just Avery’s baby shower day and she had plans, but I wasn’t sure we’d ever get her back here again.

She needed us to get through this heat. Yet, I was worried she wasn’t going to let us try. She was like a deer in headlights yesterday. Terrified and ready to run.

I expected everyone to go their own ways after breakfast but instead we were all hanging out now, working on some of the random projects that needed finishing in the house.

It unknotted something in my chest. I had worried they wouldn’t stick around but no one was budging.

Good.

When it started to get near lunch time I dropped my organizing to head to the kitchen. I started prepping sandwiches and chips since it was about all we had. We needed to make a grocery run soon, especially if we were feeding a pack of five.

“Lunch!” I yelled out as I put the plates on the table and a few bowls of chips. They came in from all directions, picking the same chairs as yesterday and settling in.

“Alright,” Bennett called out, his voice loud enough to get everybody’s attention. “We need to talk while we’re all here. We’ve all had the morning to clear our heads.”

“I think we were all pretty clear that we’re sticking around,” Leo said as he took one of the sandwiches, and piled his plate with chips. I sat down next to him, still avoiding Bennett.

I studied my alpha as he spoke. I knew I’d have to face this thing between us eventually, but for some reason I felt like he wouldn’t go anywhere while I focused on her. She needed me more right now.

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