Page 108 of Stone Vows

They share a smile. Then I look over to see Kyle watching me from where he sits across the room. He’s always watching me. He watches me when I eat. When I clean the apartment. When I work. He especially watches me when I’m with Ellie.

But right now, he’s watching me like he’s jealous. He’s jealous that his brother and sister-in-law have something he doesn’t. And I take another drink just for posterity.

“Never have I ever had to do a walk of shame,” Griffin says.

Glasses are raised all around the room, with the exception of Piper. EvenIhave to take a drink, from the first time I was with Grant and had to sneak out of his hotel room in Myrtle Beach.

“Never have I ever taken a naked selfie,” Ethan says.

Nobody picks up their glass. “Really?” he asks his wife. “I just assumed with all the crazy stuff you did in Europe . . .”

“Oh, my God, Ethan,” Charlie says. “No!”

“Okay, well maybe later then, after these freeloaders go home?” He raises his eyebrows at her as we all laugh.

She rolls her eyes at him.

“Never have I ever given a lap dance,” Chad says, looking around at all the ladies.

Nobody moves. “None of you? Are you sure?” he asks.

Baylor, Skylar and Piper all throw chocolates at him.

Everyone looks at Kyle. “Uh . . . Never have I ever had sex in public,” he says.

Griffin, Gavin and Mason all look at Ethan and Charlie. “What?” the couple says in tandem.

“The pool at the gym,” Mason says, staring them down like they just took candy from a baby.

Ethan laughs. “Oh, right.” He lifts his glass to his wife and they toast before they take another drink.

I’m starting to get the idea there is a lot more to Charlie than meets the eye.

Mason clears his throat. “Never have I ever had an STD scare,” he says.

Charlie rolls her eyes and takes another drink, emptying her glass.

“Really, Tate?” Ethan asks.

“Scare,”she says, putting emphasis on the word. She ignores her husband’s open jaw as she gets up off the couch. “So, anyone want dessert before round two?”

We all get up and stretch our legs.

Ethan comes over to me. “Lexi, I have something for you. It’s in my office. Can you join me for a minute?”

Kyle watches us walk out of the room and then follows behind. Ethan turns on the light in his office and walks around his desk, pulling a large envelope out of his drawer before handing it to me.

“Is that what I think it is?” Kyle asks, leaning in the doorway behind me.

“Open it,” Ethan says, nodding to the envelope.

I pull open the flap and pull out the papers. There are two birth certificates issued from the state of New York. In the names of Elizabeth Catherine Smith and Ellie Elizabeth Smith. There is also a New York State ID for me. I don’t miss that it’s been issued with Kyle’s address.

“I wouldn’t go using those to get a passport or anything, but if you wanted to open a bank account or get a library card, those should do. I’m working on getting you a social security card, but those are hard to come by and could have major repercussions.”

I shake my head. “I don’t need a social security card, Ethan. I don’t want to steal anyone’s identity or get you into trouble. This is all I need. Thank you.”

Kyle looks at the documents in my hands and gruffs before turning and leaving the room.

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