Page 28 of Talk About… Secrets
“I’m so glad you get along. I was worried they’d be snotty because of who they are,” she admitted. “We only met once and they were great, but I still worried.”
“No need to worry, they’ve been helpful and nothing but on their best behavior,” I said truthfully.
She let out a breath. “Well, tomorrow is the real test.”
“Speaking of, our very mated cousin tried to get flirty and they shut it down. I don’t think this week is going to go quite like they think it will,” I said as I laughed at the memory. “Just relax and enjoy yourself. I’ll run interference as much as I can. Plus, Sidney comes tomorrow. You know she’ll be an even bigger help.”
She laughed at that. “Sidney never was one to hold back.”
“Exactly,” I agreed. “Now, pick out something cute. You know they’ll be here bright and early.”
It was a bit weird to head for my room and avoid my pack, but I was honestly thankful for the solitude as I closed the door behind me.
I only had a few minutes to change and prepare before I had to be downstairs again and I soaked in every second.
The lobby was pure chaos when I arrived. Loud voices, laughter, and too many people in one space.
Then I saw him.
A face I hadn’t thought of in nearly a decade.
In a momentary panic I sought out Hailey, snagging her arm. She turned, ready to say something snarky until she saw my face.
“Grace, what is it?”
“Did you invite, Drew?” I hissed, eyes wide and heart threatening to beat out of my chest.
“Oh, Nolan did. They’re friends, I didn’t even think about it. Why? You guys were friends once, right?”
God, if she only knew. It was the one secret I kept from my sister.
Drew and I were a lot more than just casual friends. We’d been each other’s first in a lot of ways.
Though, we weren’t right for each other. Our scents were still coming in and didn’t feel right, he had a whole career ahead of him with football and I was stuck in my own way wanting to be close to town and my big sister.
He couldn’t understand why my family moved and I wouldn’t.
I wanted to be enough for him to stay. In the end, I wasn’t.
Hailey was dragged away before I could say a word, leaving me open and vulnerable.
“Grace,” Drew’s voice was deeper than I remembered. He was bigger, too, bulked up from his time playing.
“Hey, Drew,” I said, plastering on a smile that I didn’t feel. I wasn’t sure why seeing him like this was throwing me so bad.
Maybe it was that pact. The one we made the night he left.
“Still playing football?” A flash of hurt ghosted over his features at my question, before he shook his head.
“No, got one too many injuries and was forced to retire.” He played for a pro team, which meant this was common knowledge. It was a reminder that I hadn’t kept tabs on him.
Did that mean he was keeping tabs on me?
Then I saw Spencer standing behind him, looking concerned.
Fuck, this went from complicated, to chaotic, far too fast for my liking.
“How have you been?” he asked, so focused on me he didn’t notice my pack moving in behind him.
