Page 29 of The Worst Kept Secret

I cock my head to the side and look at the phone because I’m even interested in the answer to that question.

“I just have some stuff going on.”

“What stuff? Why are you being so fucking secretive?”

“You aren’t entitled to know every little thing about my life, Lucas.”

“Well excuse the fuck out of me for caring about my big sister.”Calm down!I mouth at him and he shakes his head. “We’re fucking worried about you. We don’t know anything about this guy and—”

“Wes is amazing. He’s not like holding me hostage if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“I wasn’t.” He grunts. “There can be other ways that he’s not good for you that don’t fall under the umbrella of him breaking the goddamn law, Raegan.”

“I just mean…he loves me.”

“Of course, he does! You’re a catch, but can’t he find a girl his own age? And there’s already a ring in the mix? What’s the rush?”

I wince, thinking about what he’d say about his father and me, my relationship with him aside.Would he say the same thing?

“Lucas, this isn’t your life. I get you have concerns, but this isn’t your decision.”

“So, this is it? You’re just marrying this guy?”

“He hasn’t asked! I should have known that Natasha couldn’t keep this from Laura even after I begged her not to say anything. He knows he has to ask Dad.”

“Is this what you want though?”

“Yes. Lucas, I love him. I know it’s fast but…when you know, you justknow. He’s just so kind-hearted and amazing and loves the hell out of me. He’s the most amazing guy I’ve ever met.”

Lucas pinches the bridge of his nose and lets out an exasperated breath. “Yeah, because you’re twenty-three and haven’t met anyone yet!”

She huffs. “You’re annoying me and I may be inclined to take this narrative from Dad, but you are not him so back off.”

“Rae—”

“Bye, Lucas,” she says before she hangs up.

“Well, that could have gone over better,” Lucas grumbles.

“It could have been worse?” I offer. “And hey, at least we know now that he’s going to ask your Dad for permission!” I say trying to diffuse his irritation.

“That’s bullshit, he has a ring, and she knows about it. For all intents and purposes, they’re engaged.” He shrugs. “If my Dad says no, he’s still going to ask her and she’s still going to say yes.”

“She may not.”

“You heard her, she loves him. And my Dad can’t deny Raegan anything. He’s not going to refuse this guy the opportunity to ask her even if he wants to.”

“I mean would it be the worst thing in the world for her to marry him? You guys don’t even know him, butshedoes? What I do know is that the harder you push, the harder she’s going to push back, and it’s going to drive a wedge between you guys.”

The ride home is quiet and I can tell Lucas is agitated, because he barely says anything to me. By the time we get back to our houses, I’m heading towards mine when he nods towards his house.

“You want to come in?”

“Do you want me to come in?” I pull my sunglasses from the top of my head and slide them in front of my eyes.

“Of course. I’m not mad at you, Avery.”

“Well, it would be silly if you were.” I cross my arms over my chest.

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