“Is this about last night?” I asked, my stomach going from flirty flutters to shooting right into my throat. I needed something to drink. To shake all these crazy, fucking feelings. To push it down until my nerves could settle. Instead, I spotted the coffeepot, dropping Penn’s hand to open the cabinet above to grab a mug and pour myself a cup.
“Milk’s in the fridge,” he said casually. “Your dad wants us all over there. He said we should talk. I’m assuming it’s about what’s happening on the ranch.”
“At least he’s roping me in on it this time,” I said. It was meant to be a sassy little comment, but instead, it sounded bitter. I needed to get some coffee and then get the fuck out of here before I said or did something stupid. “Let me just have some coffee, and then I’ll take off. I can meet you over there.”
Reed was already fixing three plates with bacon and toast. “Sit, Lina.” He jerked his chin to the stools at the counter.
“Oh, you don’t have to feed me. I can get something back at home.”
Reed glowered at me, two plates in his hands, while Penn skipped over to climb up on one of the stools. “Sit by me, Lina!”
Penn was patting the stool beside her, her face eager and excited.
“Just sit and eat, then we can go over there together.” Reed set the plates down in front of the stools.
Both of them were looking at me expectantly, but Reed gave me a more pointed look … like this was not a request and it was better that I listen. A thrill ran through me. I hated to admit it, but seeing him in bossy dad mode was making my libido go haywire.
“Fine.” As soon as I was sitting down at the counter, I crossed my legs, hoping it would keep my pussy from clenching.
It didn’t help when he slid into the stool beside me, his knee pressing into mine like he knew exactly what he was doing to me.
It feltweird walking into the house I’d grown up in with Reed and Penn in tow, as if we were a unit and they belonged to me. It was still my house, but something had shifted, and now it felt like a transition was happening that I wasn’t quite prepared for but didn’t entirely hate.
Dad seemed totally unfazed that I hadn’t slept at home, walking into the living room with Reed and Penn. In fact, he had an annoying smirk on his face.
“Shut up,” I told him.
“I didn’t say anything.” The knowing smile still on his face. He was liking this a little bit too much.
“It’s the look.” I dropped into my usual, leather-bound chair.
Dad was still sipping his coffee, settling into his own recliner and turning down the walkie that was on the side table.
Reed sat down on the couch, pulling Penn onto his lap.
“What’s this all about, Dad?”
“Let’s wait for Jude and Romy to get here.”
Hazel shuffled in then, pulling her hair back into a ponytail. She had jeans on, covering her ankle monitor, and a Willows Rodeo T-shirt. She shifted a glance at Dad for a split second—she either knew something or something was up. I didn’t take the time to question it, ready to get on with my day.
“They better hurry up. I have a rodeo to prepare for,” I said impatiently.
“Want to do a warm-up after this?” Hazel asked, her brows raised, eyeing Reed’s sweats—I had to roll the waistband up three times to keep them on—and my beat-up tennis shoes.
“That would be great. As soon as this is done, I’ll get dressed and meet you out at the arena,” I told her, tapping my fingertips on the armrests. The rodeo-day energy was already buzzing through me, making it nearly impossible to stay still. Not to mention, I was dying to know what Dad wanted to share with all of us.
“Get any sleep this morning?” she asked, sitting down beside Reed as if they were old friends now. That was Hazel, though. She could turn anyone into a friend, even her own worst enemy.
For the first time ever, I felt annoyed by Hazel. A feeling of possessiveness washing over me. Or was it jealousy? I really needed to figure out my shit.
“A couple hours. Before this one decided to wake up.” He bounced Penn on his knee, causing a little giggle to escape her.
“Can I go down and look at the movies again?” she asked.
“Great idea!” Hazel exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. “I can take her downstairs, if you don’t mind.”
“Aren’t you going to miss what Dad needs to tell us?” I questioned.
