Page 34 of Talk About… Secrets
“No. You’re letting us be attacked verbally and mistreated in the name of ‘keeping peace.’ Well, Mom, screw keeping thepeace. I won’t stand aside and let them be nasty anymore. In fact, if you four are not on your best behavior, you’ll leave.”
She sputtered for a moment as she stared at me like I was the problem. I let out a defeated sigh.
“If you need to convince yourself that I’m the issue here, go ahead. But you better hope my narcissistic cousins will be there for you when you find yourself alone with two daughters that have gone no contact.”
With that I pushed past her and walked down the hall. I was getting hangry and simply done with the bullshit.
I knew this wouldn’t be the last of it, but I had resigned myself to not caring. My pack stood behind me, a show of silent support.
When we walked into the dining hall, Aunt Cassidy rushed over, eyes flaring with anger.
“You have a lot of nerve.”
“Let me cut you off right there. I am done with you and your daughters’ insane behavior. You are bullies, manipulators, and downright awful people. I mean every word of this and I won’t be apologizing, nor will Hailey. I set her up with a spa day for a few days to relax before you all can ruin her fucking big day. Be happy you aren’t kicked from this venue completely.”
I shoved past her and continued on my war-path. No one was going to fucking ruin this and I’d just made up a reason for Hailey and Nolan’s absense on the fly. Apparently, I worked well under pressure.
“Hey, is everything alright?” Drew’s concerned voice stopped me in my path. Then his eyes widened as he breathed in again. “Your scent changed.”
“I washed off some of the blockers,” I admitted. “Sorry to be rude. Again. But I have to go deal with something.”
I was apologetic, but still practically ran into the kitchen needing to escape before I ran into someone else.
There was nothing cute about shoving my face full of food, but my mates didn’t mind.
In fact, they joined in, not one of us saying a word as I simmered through my anger until it dissipated.
Eventually, I shoved aside the container of fries I’d been nibbling on.
“So, when do we tell them?” Spencer asked gently.
“I’m not sure,” I admitted. “We could wait for the event, or the family brunch that’s in two days. Either way, the wedding planner is hosting a few things the next two days, none of which require us. Hailey put some spa days in on purpose.”
“Well, you said she was recovering. So, now, we can sneak off and ignore everyone and order in room service for dinner, right?” Beck suggested, his face a mask of indifference as he waited.
“That sounds perfect,” I admitted.
The moment we got back to the suite, they started to bundle me up on the couch. In minutes I had warm socks from Spencer, Cade’s oversized shirt, and Beck’s hoodie… along with just about every blanket and pillow we had in the suite.
“I think tonight calls for a movie night. I know we just ate, but I put in a snack and popcorn order to be sent up,” Beck said as he walked away to change, coming back in comfortable clothes as well.
Soon, we were all cozy and snuggled in together on the sectional.
“This feels so much better,” I sighed. “I’ve been staying with Hailey to help with the wedding instead of looking for a new place in Rockwood Valley. My apartment was one giant nest before so I’ve missed my cozy living room and soft things everywhere. This is a bit less pink than I’m used to, but it’ll do.”
“Pink. Noted,” Cade said with a grin.
As much as I settled into the moment and the comedy movie Spencer put on, all I could think about was how we’d make things truly work.
Saying they would figure it out and come to my town, andactuallydoing it were two very different things.
“Hey, out of your head over there. I can practicallyfeelyou overthinking,” Cade accused playfully as he took my socked feet in his hands and started massaging my heels.
My head fell back and I groaned as he worked out the soreness I hadn’t realized was bothering me.
Then Spencer shifted me so I was in his lap, his hands working on my shoulders.
“This isn’t fair,” I laughed. “How can I overthink when you guys are turning me into putty?”
