Page 43 of One Little Mistake
I turn off my phone, put on headphones, and close my eyes. When I wake up, we’re in Vegas, and Easton has already exited the plane. The sinking feeling that knowledge brings sucks.What did you expect, Lexi? You told him no more, and you’re getting exactly what you wanted.This weekend is about Julia and Lanie.
“What’s got ya so twisted up there, Locket?” My grandmother stands in front of me, eagle-eyed as ever.
“Nothing, GG. Come on. I’ll help you to the car. We’re probably sharing a room, anyway.” Placing a hand around her bony upper arm, I escort her down the flight ramp.
“I hate to break it to ya, lady, but I’ve got my own room. Sylvie and I have a suite, and I plan on taking full advantage of it.”
“What? I thought Lanie said we’re sharing rooms?”
“Sharing suites, not rooms, Lexi-con. That’s a bonus of marrying a Westbrook. Everyone gets their own room.”
“That’s not just a Westbrook thing, you dingbat,” Julia chides.
“But, who am I sharing with then?” Mentally, I pair everyone up. Julia and Trevor. Lanie and Dex. Preston and Emory. That just leaves the Westbrook boys of bad decisions. This is probably going to be an enormous pain in the ass.
“Halton and Ash won the coin toss, so you’re stuck with me and East the Beast,” Colton chimes in happily.
“Yup, good things are coming, Locket. Just you wait and see. Big big night for you. Best you take a nap.” GG waggles her eyebrows, and I feel sick.
“What do you mean it’s a big night?”
“You’ll see. Colton, take Lexi in your car. She’s looking a little green and could probably use a distraction,” Julia orders. “Jesus, GG. Don’t you ever just cool it with your card reading?”
“Can’t calm the chaos, Jules. Best we can do is direct it, ya know?”
“Come on, Lexi-con. Big day,you know?” Freaking Colton smirks while mimicking GG, and we climb into the back of a waiting SUV. “Let’s go get you a drink before my mom takes all you girls shopping this afternoon.”
“I’m not shopping.”
He laughs. “Wanna bet? No one says no to Sylvie. Come on, she means well, and this is her way of welcoming you all. She never had any daughters, so it doesn’t surprise me she wants to spoil the hell out of you. Just try to enjoy it.”
The idea of shopping right now is enough to send me into a full panic attack, and Colton seems to sense it. “Drink. It’ll help.”
“Why are all the Westbrooks so good with people? Don’t ever tell Preston or Easton I said that,” I scold.
Colton chuckles, and there’s a sadness behind it. “Listen, we know how lucky we are. We grew up with more privilege than most people experience in a lifetime. But, my mom grew up poor. She worked our entire lives, making sure we understood our place in life. She made sure we turned out well-balanced individuals. It was hard work on her part. It would have been so easy to let us turn into a bunch of rich assholes.”
So different from the way my ex was brought up. I really need to stop comparing the two situations. The Westbrooks couldn’t be more different from anyone I’ve ever met before.
When we arrive at the hotel, we’re ushered straight to our rooms.
“Privileged,” Colton whispers.
I can’t help but laugh at him. He’s such a dork, but incredibly sweet when he wants to be.
Just as we’re about to get on the elevator, Sylvie calls out, “Colton? No games while we’re here. I mean it … no shenanigans for two days.”
He leans in and kisses her on the cheek. “I’ll do my best, Mom, but no promises.” He jumps back and lets the elevator doors shut.
“I bet you drove her nuts growing up.”
His grin displays the chaos lurking in his mind. “Growing up? I still drive her nuts, but it keeps her young.”
Colton leads us down the long corridor and holds up his phone to unlock the door. The space puts our New York City suite to shame, and all I want to do is explore, but I know East is here somewhere.
“Okay, where’s my room?”
“Take your pick,” Colt calls over his shoulder. “I’m heading to the pool. I’ll see you later, Lexi-con.”
