Trey laughed. “I’m sure that wheel is already in motion and emails sent to everyone on the showcase committee.”
“It’s not funny.” Carter glared. “You haven’t been in this family long enough to understand how crazy Weezer can get.”
“I remember the year before I went away to chase my dream; she was in an all-out war with Mrs. Cummings,” Dax said. “It was so bad that Chablis wanted to throw the three-legged race.”
“We all did.” Carter glanced over his shoulder. He hated leaving his friend like this, but Silas was right. There wasn’t much Carter could do. “I was honestly so happy we weren’t awarded it this year. But we have to step up to the plate. Silas and Claudia need us.”
“See you at home in a few hours, Dad,” Malbec said. “Call us if you need us to do or bring anything.”
“Will do.” Carter slipped behind the steering wheel and did his best to focus on Merlot’s nuptials. That young man deserved some happiness in his life, and he was finally getting it in spades. He reached for his cell one last time.
Nothing from Noir.
He couldn’t decide if that was a good thing. Or a bad thing.
Carter hated it when his kids kept secrets, but he understood this one. Not only would every single one of his siblings have something to say about it, but this town wouldn’t be able to let sleeping dogs lie.
Nope. They’d bring up every single nasty rumor that had ever been told about that poor girl and her mother. Half of them weren’t true, or based in half-truths. And the only two that mattered were what happened to Elizabeth and who Tamsyn’s father was.
He set his cell in the holder. Noir would tell his family when he was ready. Carter could only hope it was before someone decided to make it headline news.
And unfortunately for them, it would.
Tamsyn
There were a few things in life that Tamsyn Tuttle swore would never happen, including cozying up to the River family. She’d avoided six of the seven children most of her childhood.
Zinny had been two grades behind Tamsyn, and Pinot Noir—who went by Noir—and his twin Nebbiolo one year older. They had never been mean to her, especially Noir. He’d actually defended her on more than one occasion when the rumors about her mother would circulate. He would often find her sitting by herself. He would quietly message her, telling her he understood and that if she ever wanted to talk, he’d listen. At first, she ignored him, not trusting that he meant it.
But that soon changed, and their friendship emerged.
Things at school were compounded when the town decided to make it their business to speculate on who her father might be. One candidate had been Carter.
Even when that made the kids at school even crueler to her—and the River kids—Noir still stuck up for her.
Shortly after graduation, she learned the truth, but that had only come after she’d made a horrible accusation, one she wished she could take back. She would be forever grateful to Carter for dealing with the situation so kindly. Not because he had to, but he wanted to give her some peace of mind.
And he wanted to help.
However, he’d never been able to give her the answers she desired, but she’d never given up any part of her search and neither had Carter.
Noir rolled and stretched. “Good morning.” He pulled her into his arms and gave her a quick kiss. “What time is it?”
“A little after eight.” While she had always valued his friendship, never in a million years did she ever expect to wind up in his bed.
Yet, there she was, snuggled up beside him, naked.
“We better get our asses in gear.” He reached for his cell.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to crash a family wedding.” Spending time with Noir in private was easy. Fun. She enjoyed every second of it. But putting their relationship on display for anyone would be a clusterfuck.
“Shit,” he muttered as he tapped his screen.
She peered over his shoulder. “What’s the matter?”
“I missed a family group text from my dad. There was a fire at Silas and Claudia’s place.” Noir threw back the covers and hiked up his boxers. He was a fine specimen of man with taut muscles, dark hair, five o’clock shadow, and bright-blue eyes. “I guess the only ones who showed up were Dax, Trey, and Malbec, so I’m not the only one in the doghouse.” He cocked his head. “Speaking of dogs, I don’t hear one incessantly barking, do you?”
She pulled the covers to her chin and sat up. For the last month, she’d spent most of her nights at Noir’s place and every damn morning, Nebbiolo’s stupid mutt woke them up at six sharp. “As a matter of fact, I don’t.”
