Page 57 of Take Me to the Valley

“Listen, I’m not happy about how I found out or about this in general, but I want you both happy. If that means together, thenjust know it better work out. There is no option for it not to be a forever thing,” Cody says, smirking.

“There is the self-centered brother I love,” I say sarcastically.

Giving him a hug, I walk to my car. Once in, I call Kaylee.

“Hey girl, are you on your way?”

“How mad would you be if I ditched you tonight?” I’m parked at the end of Cody’s Road, waiting for her answer.

“Depends on the reason?” she says.

Since I know she will forgive me for this one, I point my car away from Kaylee’s toward Evan’s cabin.

“Well, Evan showed up with Skye, he proposed, and then Cody walked in. Predictably, he went off about finding out and the whole best friend thing. He stormed out, and I couldn’t go through the night without confronting him. So, I after putting him in his place, we talked it out,” I say.

Then I hear a thump on her end of the line, but otherwise the line is quiet.

“You still there?” I ask.

“You have to tell a girl to sit down before dumping all that on her. Holy Shit! Holy. Shit.” she exclaims.

“Yes, I had to take a minute to process what you just told me. Okay, so start at the beginning, and don’t leave out any details.”

I tell her everything and finish is just before I get to Evan’s.

“Wow. So, you're going to Evan’s tonight, right?” she asks.

“Of course,” I say.

“Good. As your promised maid of honor, decided when we were sixteen, I will start pulling location ideas for the wedding. When I see you in a few days, I will have found some wedding dress shops in Helena and will have a bunch of stuff ready for you to look at.”

Laughing, I say, “But just to make it official, Kaylee will you do me the honor of being my maid of honor? I can’t do this without you.”

“Yes!” She says giggling.

“Okay. I’m at Evans, so I will talk to you tomorrow?”

“I’m so happy for you!” she says, hanging up.

Before I even get the car turned off, Evan is at the front door. I’m smiling big at him as he walks toward me.

“I thought you were going to text me to let me know you made it okay and what your plans are,” Evan says.

He doesn’t sound very happy. But shit, I did forget to text him. I was too fueled by sibling anger.

“Yes, but…” I start.

Surprising me, he picks me up and tosses me over his good shoulder.

“No buts. I don’t like worrying about you and now you will deal with your punishment,” Evan says carrying upstairs to his room.

Now our room.

I have the biggest smile on my face because punishment or not, this is the life I’ve been waiting for, and I plan to enjoy every moment.

Chapter 29

Evan

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