Page 46 of Rebel Secrets
“Guess I am.”
And part of me wasn’t unhappy about that.
ChapterTwelve
Two-ish weeks before the wedding
Erin
“I’m really notsure this is a good idea.”
Standing in a corner of the great room in the Lawrence house with Rain, I couldn’t understand why I felt like I wanted to jump out of my skin.
“What?Dancing lessons?Trust me, you want Reb to have lessons.The man might not look like he weighs a lot, but he’s solid.You do not want him to step on your feet.Besides, I thought you were getting along better since you spent time together.”
Rain didn’t look at me when she said that, but I knew she was asking for details.She had her eyes on Brian, who stood across the room talking to Rebel.I’d been studiously avoiding looking at Rebel.I was afraid if I started, I wouldn’t want to stop.Which was ridiculous.
Except I didn’t know what to tell Rain that wouldn’t make her give me that look.The one that expected even more answers than I was ready to give.Or really had any idea how to give.Rebel seemed to have gotten over his dislike of me, but that had brought up some weird reactions.Like my brain telling me Rebel was hot.
Which was the worst thing for me to think.First, no, that wasn’t happening.Second, he was Rain’s brother.And third, he didn’t like me.
Except, maybe he did now?Ugh, who knew with Rebel.The guy was so damn hard to read.Although, he had smiled at me…
I grimaced.“Sorry.I’ve just got a lot on my mind.I don’t even know why I said that.Just ignore me.”
Of course, that meant Rain did the opposite.She turned to look at me, gaze narrowed and brain running at full speed.
“Did something happen between you and Reb?”
“No!”Whoa, take it down a notch.“No, nothing happened.There are just a lot of moving parts happening right now.I want everything to be wonderful for Tressy, and I don’t want to let anyone down.”
“Are you worried about not having enough help?You know the Angels will be more than happy?—”
“I know.And so many of them are already pitching in.No, it’s just me being me.”
Rain tapped me on the arm.“Well, stop.Worrying, I mean.Not being you.You’re fine.Seriously.And I have a feeling you’re going to show us all up on the dance floor.”
I had made the mistake of telling Rain I’d had ballroom dance lessons in prep.And I’d told her I’d enjoyed them.At the time, I had.It’d been an easy gym credit, and I hadn’t had to compete.I’d just had to move.And yeah, I’d been good at it.
“I haven’t danced in years, so I don’t think I’m going to be that good.”
“Well, you’ll be better than that crew,” she pointed across the floor at her brothers and Brian, who were standing in a circle across the floor.We were waiting for Tressy and her sister and Tressy’s business partner Jen to arrive.Tressy had let us know they were running a little late.Jen had hit traffic on her drive from New York City, where she and their other partner, Leon, ran their talent agency.
“You’re telling me none of them can dance?I’ve seen Brian on the ice.The man has moves.”
Rain laughed, her smile widening and her gaze going back to her boyfriend.“That’s true.But my brothers… not so much.”
My attention caught on Rebel again.He had one shoulder propped against the wall, his mouth curved in what passed for a smile from him.He wasn’t speaking at the moment, his gaze focused on Rowdy and then Rocky, the youngest of the Lawrences.I’d met Rocky a few times, but he’d been at college for most of the time I’d lived here.He returned for a few weeks in the summer, but he mainly stayed at his parents’ place.
He looked a lot like Rowdy, with the same eyes and mouth, but his hair was dark and cut shorter.He still looked like a kid, and since he was barely twenty-one, I guess he was.He wasn’t as broad as Rebel, but he had Rebel’s build, which made him a little taller than Rowdy.Standing together like they were, there was no way you could mistake those guys for anyone other than brothers.
But it was Rebel who held my attention.He always seemed just a little more put together than the rest.He was wearing pants instead of jeans.His dark hair was a little longer than normal, but still not as long as any of the other guys.He must get it cut every other week to keep it perfect like that.And it did suit him perfectly.
Even his stubble was perfectly trimmed.
It just wasn’t fair.
Right now, I felt like an absolute mess.I’d had to hurry over here from the bakery and, since it was warm outside, I was flushed and a little sweaty in places I didn’t want to be sweaty.I’d stopped off at my apartment to take a quick shower so I didn’t embarrass myself, but my hair had decided today was the day humidity had won the battle.
