Page 83 of Brides and Brothers
“Me,” the one with facial hair said, his expensive watch catching the light before he took a step into the apartment.
Camille put her book down and stood, wishing she could push him back out, but she wasn’t brave enough.
“I’m George.” George’s wide, square head bobbed in acknowledgment before he pushed into the room too. He closed the door behind them, even as Macey clung to it.
Macey cleared her throat. “I’m Macey, if you didn’t remember. And this is my sister, Raina.” She motioned to Raina, who was standing awkwardly behind her. “Raina, you remember George, from the corn maze?” She said the words through clenched teeth.
Shoving her hands into her jeans pockets to keep herself still, Camille felt her anxiety rise a notch. This was not going well. Daegan and Cade could show up any second.
Trevor pulled Macey over to him and slung his arm around her shoulder. “Let’s get out of here. I don’t think the guy with the potato likes me.”
Macey slid out from under Trevor’s arm. “Who, Benson? No, he likes you. In fact, he wants us to stay so he can feed us dinner.” She glanced desperately at Daisha and then to Camille. Was she asking for an out?
Daisha nodded. “Yes, Benson here brought enough potatoes for everyone.”
“He’s a potato grower and a really good cook too,” Camille added.
Trevor put his arm back around Macey. “Nah, my girl and I are going out on the town. You guys can get all crazy with the potatoes without us. Don’t wait up.”
George took his cue and pulled Raina from the corner. He leaned down close, his face brushing Raina’s ear, and said, “I like shy girls.”
Raina’s terror reflected in her wide brown eyes. “You do? Because I’m not shy at all. In fact, I’m exactly what you don’t like. I think I’d better stay home.”
Macey coughed hard. “Oh, man. I’m getting sick. Raina might be right. We should call it a night.”
Trevor gripped the edge of the couch hard enough that Camille took a step away from him. “We drove twenty minutes to take you guys out. You wouldn’t want to disappoint us.”
Macey appealed to Camille and Daisha again with her eyes.
Thankfully, Daisha, their den mother, wasn’t a coward. “Sorry, guys, this isn’t going to work.” Her speech was interrupted by the doorbell. Everyone but Trevor and George froze.
“Don’t answer it!” Raina yelled.
“Answer it!” Macey yelled right back.
Easton squeezed by the crowd at the door. “I think it would be best if I got this.”
He pulled open the door to reveal Daegan and Cade. Their smiles dropped at the sight of the large strangers with their arms draped over the shoulders of their women. Aiden would not be happy when he heard about this. Where was the rewind button when they needed it?
“Hey, Macey,” Daegan began, his voice suspicious.
“What’s going on?” Cade’s voice was less calm and more alarmed. “Raina, have you been crying?”
Easton stepped back to let Daegan and Cade enter, moving closer to the kitchen. Macey and Raina started talking at once. Trevor held up his hand, and they went silent. “The potato man is in the back, if that’s who you’re here for. If you’ll kindly get out of our way, we’re leaving.”
Easton moved and grabbed Camille’s arm, whispering to her, “Come stand over here. I don’t have a good feeling about this.” Camille followed him behind the kitchen counter, where he corralled her and Emma. Trevor ushered Macey forward, and she looked back at Camille, sending one last plea for help.
Camille opened her mouth to object, but Daegan beat her to it.
“Where do you think you’re taking my girlfriend?”
“Your girlfriend?” Trevor pushed Daegan aside. “My girlfriend!”
“Trevor, stop! You’re squeezing my arm,” Macey whined.
“Let her go,” Daegan said.
When Trevor didn’t comply, Cade stepped forward and pushed Trevor away from Macey, taking the man off guard and causing him to fall backward into the apartment.
