Page 7 of Rebel Secrets
I had the momentary urge to take offense to the “hon,” but he really wasn’t a dick.That was just Kaden.He had one hand on my shoulder to steady me, but it didn’t feel creepy.Just comforting.The guy truly cared about people.
I forced a smile, which just made his eyes narrow as he looked around me to see if there was someone he needed to deal with.Like I said, decent guy.Except, he saw Rebel and got a knowing look on his face.
Kaden leaned a little closer, until his mouth was just above my ear.“Want me to punch him?”
I rolled my eyes.Did everyone in town know how much Rebel and I hated each other?It would be annoying if it wasn’t so damn endearing.I loved my adopted town, but sometimes I longed for my hometown of New York City.It was easier to be less visible there.Honestly, sometimes it was hard to be the center of attention, especially when you were like me.
“Of course not.Everything’s fine.”
I had Kaden’s full attention now, his gaze narrowed as he stared at me.
“You sure?I know you and Rebel…don’t exactly get along.He can be kind of a dick.”
My immediate reaction was to deny, that Rebel was just… what?Oh, who cares.But I also knew he’d never be intentionally mean to me.
“Nothing happened.”My lips curved in a real smile now.Kaden apparently had the same hero complex as most of the Devils players.“Seriously, I’m just heading back to the party.”
“Hey, me, too.Come on, I’ll walk with you.They’re just cutting the cake.Heard it’s pretty damn good.”He gave me another smile, which really should evoke more than a tiny flutter in my belly.Especially when Rebel?—
Nope.Nope.Nope.Rebel did nothing to at all to my insides.
I turned just enough to the side that Rebel, still watching from several feet away, could see.Then I smiled.
“Thanks.I hope everyone loves it.”
I’d made that cake.And the cupcakes.And the cookies.And all the rolls.My staff and I had prepped all week for this event.Everything had to be perfect.I really didn’t want to miss the reaction to the cake.
“Then we should probably get a move on so we don’t miss it.”
I gave Kaden another smile, grateful to him for going out of his way to make me feel better.And for recognizing that I needed his kindness.
“Rowdy wanted chocolate and Tressy wanted strawberry, which isn’t really a problem because they go together so well, but I knew Miss Raffi would want something sophisticated so I decided on a three-tier cake.But that top tier is special.It’s for Krista.”
As we walked down the hall, my mouth kept running, mostly to fill the silence.And since I didn’t want Rebel to think he’d upset me.He hadn’t.
Except, once again, he’d managed to get inside my head.
ChapterThree
Alittle less than four months to the wedding
Rebel
“Damn,Reb, you never said your sisters were hot.”
Stopped just outside the locker room in the Reading arena after the game, which we’d won, I glared at Ian Clark.But he wasn’t looking at me.He was staring down the hall.
Glancing in the same direction, I saw Rain nodding her head and smiling as Erin babbled on, using her hands to talk like she always did.
“Only one’s my sister.She’s got dark hair.And don’t even think about it.Her boyfriend’ll rip you in two if you touch her.And then I’ll get to work on what’s left.Even your parents won’t be able to identify you.”
Ian’s attention snapped back to me, wide-eyed and mouth open.Which made me want to smile.Good to know I could still keep the kids in line.I was new here, but I wasn’t a rookie so that gave me some seniority over the younger guys.Not that I pulled rank.Ever.
I’d never say this to anyone, but the Redtails still didn’t feel like my team.I gave my all every game, of course, but I still felt like an outsider.And it wasn’t because the players treated me like one.They were great.This was all me.
So I ignored it like I did everything I didn’t want to think about.So far, it’d been working to keep me on track.
“Dude, that might be most words I’ve heard you speak in a row.”
