Page 25 of Talk About… Secrets
“Who are they?”
The interest in her voice had me curling my hands into fists. I just knew that Bianca and Celine would be trying to flirt with my mates. Beck’s foot shifted closer, resting firmly against me in silent reassurance.
“Who we are is none of your concern,” Spencer’s voice was sharp and cold. “I believe you were asked nicely to go back to the guest area, were you not?”
Bianca stuttered for a moment before letting out a huff, and then her heels were stomping away.
Beck cleared his throat to start. “I believe that I’ve already purchased the entire venue for the night. I do not intend to change that.”
“Perfect, that’s exactly what I was going to ask,” the receptionist said easily. “I’ll try to get her out of your hair as quickly as possible.”
Then she was heading back to the front. We had to listen to the screeching for another five minutes before the front door slammed, and the screaming of tires could be heard in the parking lot.
Only when it was safe did I crawl out from under the table.
“But you look so good down there,” Beck teased. I swatted playfully as I stood up.
“Well, you guys met the Wicked Witch of the West. Don’t worry, her sister, the Wicked Witch of the East, will be here tomorrow, too,” I said with a sigh as I collapsed into one of the empty chairs.
“Honestly, when you said your family was awful, I never could have pictured the sheer level of terrible that harpy was.”
“The way she was sticking her neck out, trying to see us, was hilarious,” Cade laughed. “Didn’t you say she was packed up?”
“Yes, and apparently things are rocky right now, so she’s going to be looking for validation elsewhere.”
“Not from us,” Beck said. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll be shutting down every single touch and flirty word they send our way.”
“Good,” I said on a growl. “I’d hate to have to put a rift in the family and ruin Hailey’s wedding because she touched you.”
“I kind of like you jealous,” Beck said. “It’ll make it that much sweeter when you get to lay your claim on us.”
“Honestly, if you guys could help me keep an ear out for them this week, I’d appreciate it. Don’t let them ruin this for Hailey and Nolan.”
“Why exactly are they invited if they’re this bad?”
“Because Hailey is a softy and a pushover, and I’m sure our mother expected nothing less. She didn’t even want a big wedding. It was their idea and she convinced herself it was hers, too.”
“What about you, little muse? How do you see your wedding going?”
“Nothing like this,” I said with a shudder. “Honestly, eloping never sounded so good. The big wedding, all the time leading up to it… everything sounds like a nightmare.”
“Honestly, I couldn’t agree more,” Spencer said. “I’m already exhausted, and nobody’s arrived yet but her.”
“Don’t worry, the whole brigade will be here tomorrow. They booked the venue for the whole week, which means any family that wanted to come was able to come early. And you know they’ll never turn down a free vacation.”
“That just means we’ll have to spend the evening taking advantage of our time alone,” Beck said. “How does a bonfire down by the lake sound?”
“It sounds perfect.”
Grace
The mood was somber as we sat around the campfire, the flames casting a warmth over the otherwise dark beach. Clouds rolled in late in the afternoon, only adding to the feeling of the evening.
Not one of us was ready for the bubble to burst, for our week of hiding to start.
They had been extra protective after Bianca showed up earlier, fingers brushing over my skin as they passed, sitting close enough that we touched. My touch starved omega soaked in every single moment of it.
Hell, even Beck had me in his lap now, my back resting against his chest as we stared at the flickering fire and the dark lake beyond. My fingers ran over his arm as he held me, a gentle rumbling purr vibrating against my back in response.
