Page 27 of Talk About… Secrets
We all knew my family obligations and my love for my sister would keep me here. That didn’t stop a girl from dreaming.
“It’s going to be fine,” Cade reassured me. “The three of us will run crowd control when we need to. You can find your voice and use it, and we’ll back you up. Because at the end of the day, it would be weird if we pretended we weren’t friends. It’ll be okay to be seen with each other as long as we’re not flirting constantly or pulling you into our laps, and growling anytime another alpha or beta walks by you.”
“That’s true,” I conceded. “I hadn’t considered the fact that we can still be near each other.”
“How early is everyone coming in the morning? Because I’m pretty sure I’m not going to be able to sleep if you’re not nearby,” Cade grumbled, standing up and snatching me from Beck’s arms, making me giggle as the alpha growled in protest.
“You have to share,” the beta leveled the alpha with a look, not the least bit repentant as he sat down on the sand with me.
My fingers ghosted over the cool sand, making me shiver. The warmth of the flames chased it away quickly. That, and the warm body pressed against my back.
“Hailey is not a morning person, but that doesn’t mean everybody else isn’t. I believe check-in doesn’t start until eleven here, so we are probably safe as long as we get up early and de-scent both our rooms and ourselves.”
Spencer let out a sigh. “I’m going to miss that scent of yours, freckles. It’s just about the only thing getting me through.”
“It’s temporary,” I reminded him before standing up. “Now let’s put out this fire and spend the last night we have in our bed.”
I’ve never seen a pack move so fast to put out flames and snatch me up, throwing me over my alpha’s shoulder.
Tonight would have to last us, so we were going to make it count.
Grace
“Grace!” My sister’s voice echoed through the lobby and I raced from the dining room to meet her. We clashed in a hug that had both of us nearly falling but Nolan kept us upright. His laughter was happy and carefree, exactly why the guys and I had stepped up this weekend. I didn’t want this week wrapped in any stress.
“You’re finally here,” I said as I let her go. The guys and I had doused our rooms and ourselves in de-scenting spray already. I hated it, but it made it a whole lot easier to hide things.
“Help me unpack and tell me everything,” she demanded as the guys picked up her insane number of suitcases and carried them upstairs to their suite.
The moment the door closed, she was eyeing me. “Something’s different.”
I laughed, deflecting. “That’s what a weekend on the lake with no work will do. I hadn’t realized how badly I needed this break.”
She narrowed her eyes, but nodded, accepting that answer. Then she grinned, a mischievous edge to it.
“So, how did rejecting Bianca last night go?”
I sat down and burst out laughing. “Girl, I ducked under the conference table where we were putting together party favors. The guys were cool enough to play along and didn’t bat an eye when we told them not to let her stay. And hiding was the right choice, the employee came back to check if we’d be willing to give up a room and she stomped right back like she owned the place. Throwing around the classic ‘my family is spending a lot of money here’ card.”
Hailey groaned. “She’s going to be insufferable. Why the hell did I do this?”
“Because you wanted a wedding that you love, one with family surrounding you and everyone celebrating with you,” I reminded her gently. “Don’t let them ruin it for you.”
“I didn’t, not really,” she sighed. “I wanted to elope and she talked me out of it.”
“True, but that was just to avoid them,” I argued gently. She gave me a tight smile, then rolled her eyes.
“Mom’s just as bad. Did she call you?”
Dreading the explanation, I shook my head.
“She reminded me that we are all family and to not get too caught up in details. That no matter what happens, nothing will take away from our experience.”
“Oh god,” I gasped. “Do you think they’re planning a pregnancy announcement?”
Hailey flopped back on the bed, her chestnut hair fanning out around her. “I had the same thought. How do I even avoid that?”
“You leave it to me, our friends, and the groomsmen. I already explained everything and they’re going to help me keep it about you and Nolan.”
