Page 19 of No One Wants That (Blitzen Bay)

“Babe,” Raine says, grabbing Alex’s arm. “I’ve already told you that Millie’s an expert interrogator. She can pick up on a lie from a hundred feet away.”

Alex starts shifting. “Okay, yes, I paid for the rooms, but it’s no big deal. I wanted to do something nice for Raine’s friends.”

“It’s a nice gesture,” Mason says, “but we can pay for our own rooms.”

“What Mason said,” I say, shoving my credit card toward Hank again.

Mason puts his card on top of mine. “Hank, give Alex his money back. Charge our cards.”

Hank looks at us and then to Alex. “Uh, I’m not sure what to do here.”

Mason and I puff out our chests and glare at Alex.

“Hey Alpha twins, lighten up a little bit,” Millie says, grabbing our cards off the desk. “You already made Alex give up the keys to his rental car. Maybe let him keep one of his balls. Thank him for paying for our rooms and then let’s get on with our lives. Now. Do it.”

Mason and I snort a little bit and shuffle our feet like bulls about ready to be let out of the gate in Pamplona.

“Yeah, okay, thanks,” Mason growls, “but you’re not paying for anything else this trip. Anything. Butch and I are paying for all of your food and drinks.”

“That’s right,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “Everything. Food, drink, gas, and whatever else you need.”

“Deal,” Alex says, grabbing the key that Hank slides toward him. “Mason, did you say we were barbecuing for dinner?”

“Yeah, I packed a bunch of chicken and hamburgers in the cooler. The website said there’s a grill on the back patio. Right, Hank?”

“Yep,” Hank says. “I cleaned it this morning. And there’s a store across the street if you forgot anything.”

“We need more snacks,” Millie says, holding up our credit cards. “Come on, Raine. Let’s go to the store. We ate all of the chips on the way up here.”

Raine raises up on tiptoe and gives Alex a kiss. “We’ll be right back.”

“Okay,” he says, pulling her in for a longer kiss. “Can we get some alone time when you get back?”

I shake my head and look at the ceiling. “Hank, please tell me my room is nowhere near theirs or Mason and Millie’s. Maybe you can put me in an entirely different wing.”

Hank looks down at his register and nods. “As luck would have it, you’re about five rooms clear of both of them. Your room is to the left at the top of the stairs.”

“God bless you, Hank.” I grab my duffle and head up the stairs. “You’re my new favorite person.”

* * *

After I dumped my stuff in my room, I tried to sneak out of the inn for a hike, but Millie and Raine were coming back from the store as I walked outside.

“When will you be back?” Millie says, pulling on my arm.

“I’ll be back when I get back. Quit mothering me.”

“But we’re barbecuing soon. And there’s beer.” Raine holds up the case of Bud they bought. “You like beer.”

“I’ll get a beer later.”

They each grab an arm and try to pull me back toward the inn. I don’t budge. Millie leans her full body weight into my back and starts pushing while Raine continues to pull. They’re both grunting and straining, but I’m still not moving.

“You’re not as strong as you think, Mills, and you’re not strong at all, Raine. Just stop. Y’all are being all kinds of annoying. I’m taking a short hike and then I’ll be back.”

Mason walks out on the inn’s porch. “You going hiking? I’ve got bear spray in my kit if you need it.”

I point to the canister in the side pocket of my pack. “I’m good, man. All I need is for you to get rid of these human gnats who are trying to stop me from leaving.”

“Come on, ladies,” he says, jogging down the stairs. He takes the grocery bags from them. “Let him be. He needs get away from us for a while. It’s not personal.”

“Fine, but don’t be gone too long,” Millie says as Mason pulls her backward by the waistband of her shorts. “And let’s play poker when you get back.”

“If I have to play poker with you, I’m never coming back.”

“Chicken,” she says over her shoulder as Mason pushes them into the inn.

* * *

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