Page 97 of Cross-Check

I don’t know how Kellan and Wyatt did it, but they pulled off the ultimate surprise. According to Kellan, they got the guys on board at practice, and then when he came over, he convinced Peyton and me to go along with a surprise. I asked him about Grace, but he said Clay would make sure she came too.

When we arrived at the airport, though, is when my hesitation kicked in. Flying is a lot of money, and if you fly, then you can’t go home, which means even more money on hotel rooms. Kellan could tell I was uncomfortable and told me to trust him, leading to now.

The guys splurged and got suites. Each suite has two bedrooms and a shared living room area.

Kellan and I are in a suite with Clay and Grace. Peyton is in the other suite with Beckett, Brett, and Wyatt. Peyton offered to take the couch, but the guys wouldn’t hear of it. Two suites in New York City with high-rise views and a doorman have to be expensive.

Peyton about choked when she saw how luxurious it was. She tried to tell the guys to put her in the cheap motel down the street, but they wouldn’t hear of it. They told her to shove her complaints somewhere else because it wouldn’t be right to be here without her. It was actually kind of sweet and had me biting my own tongue and simply saying thank you.

They are up to something, though. They herded us all into the suite Grace and I are sharing while they ran some errands.

Grace hums as she looks around. “Not bad.”

“Not bad? Girlfriend, I think our definitions of not bad are different,” I tell her.

Peyton laughs. “No kidding. We didn’t grow up with the kind of money they did.”

Grace’s cheeks turn red. “Hey, this wasn’t my idea, so don’t look at me.”

“Did they tell you guys where we are going tonight?” I ask as I sit on a chair in the corner by the window.

“Nope,” Grace and Peyton say in unison as someone knocks on the door.

“I got it.” Peyton goes over and answers the door.

I hear low murmuring but don’t pay any mind to it. My attention is firmly on the gridlocked street below.

How do people live like that?

“Let’s see what they brought us,” Peyton says as she sets a bag on her bed.

I watch as she pulls three outfits out and lays them on the bed.

“Is that lingerie?” I ask as I get up to get a closer look.

“Looks like it,” Grace mutters.

“Hey, at least they were nice enough to get us booty shorts instead of thongs,” Peyton says as she holds one up that has her name on it.

The one with my name is a deep green color. Grace’s is a plum shade, and Peyton’s is the brightest of all in a blood red.

“I’m not wearing that.” I shake my head.

“You have to. I’m sure they picked these outfits for a reason,” Peyton says.

“Dude, you want my brother to see me in that?” I give her a look.

Peyton and Grace both wince.

“I’m sure it won’t be too bad. It’s like a bathing suit, right?” Grace says lightly as she pushes up her glasses.

“Exactly. I’m sure we won’t be the only ones dressed crazy. It’s Halloween weekend. Besides, it’s not like we are going to run into people from back home outside of the guys. We have nothing to worry about.”

I’m not going to win.

Sighing, I hold out my hand. “Fine. Let’s do this before I change my mind.”

* * *

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