“Country’s going to lose his shit.”
Polk winked as he wriggled into his outfit. “It’s his secret favourite song. We have an obligation to bring it to life and show his wife what she got herself into.”
“Pretty sure she’s well aware.” Tyler flexed in front of the workbench mirror. “I don’t know, bud. I think Emma might like this look. Might be useful after the reception.”
Polk waggled an eyebrow then clapped his hands. “Alright, we’ve only got forty-five minutes. Time for the choreography.” He pulled out his phone and hit play onPink Pony Club.The piano riffs filled the garage, and Polk moved the guys into position, yelling out their cues. “We’ll start with a little hip swing while I’m doing some floor work. Then, pick a pose during this section here—do you hear it?”
Ryan couldn’t take him seriously. The choreography was as ridiculous as the costumes. André and Fly struggled to keep up, and Tyler nearly fell over navigating the spin. Boyd was dying in the corner, bent over with his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.
“Pull it together!” Polk pointed at Boyd’s spot on the left of the formation.
They twerked, they hip thrusted. When Polk was satisfied with their initial efforts, he busted out bottled waters and gave them a two minute break.
Ryan had just cracked the top when he glanced over and saw his phone light up. He strode past Brett and Mike comparing nipple visibility and picked it up.
When he saw the name on the screen, he froze, nearly choking on the sip of water he’d just taken.
Aelin:
Mediation is over. I think I might’ve won.
He quickly typed out a message, the blood rushing in his ears.
Where are you?
He waited, holding his breath.
Polk whistled. “Alright, time?—”
“Shut the hell up!” Ryan held up a hand, and the garage went quiet. He watched for the three dots to appear. When they did, he finally exhaled.
Just picking up Bailey from Megan’s. Then back to my place
Ryan spun, staring at the bedazzled men in front of him. “I have to go.” His voice was raw.
Tyler glanced at his phone, then up to his face. “She texted back?”
He nodded, then jogged to the pile of clothes, searching for his things. “Why the hell is everything glommed together?” He gritted his teeth. When his hands landed on his jeans and T-shirt, he bundled them in his arms and slammed his palm on the garage opener.
“Send me the video. I’ll practice later.” He didn’t wait for the door to fully open before bending and running to the driveway where he instantly realized his vehicle was still down at Country’s.
“I got you, bud.” Tyler ran to Polk’s truck, keys in hand.
Chapter
Thirty-One
Aelin pulledup to the curb and parked a few houses down from the townhouse. She got out of the car and opened the back door, pulling out the bags of groceries she’d stopped for on the way home. Clark had taken Amaya early because he’d blocked off the day from work anyway. He’d suggested it right before the mediation ended, making sure that everyone in the room heard how he was taking extra time with his daughter.
The bags were cold against her chest, mostly filled with pints of ice cream and a few other necessities for the weekend. She’d checked her phone multiple times but hadn’t received a response from Ryan. It sent her head into a tailspin.Why would he want to text her back after she’d ignored him for weeks?But he had sent those messages last night . . .
When she’d logged on to social media and seen Megan’s pictures, she’d laughed out loud at the blonde girl draped over Ryan’s shoulders. Something like that with Clark would have sent her spiralling. But Ryan had told her exactly where he was and who he was with. He hadn’t tried to hide anything, even if it didn’t paint him in the best light.
She walked up the sidewalk and turned toward the house, then froze on the flagstone walkway. Something pink andsparkly caught the sun on the side of her porch. She opened her mouth, then snapped it closed as the glitter moved.
“Hey.” Ryan straightened on the bench.
“Hey.” She didn’t know where to begin with the image in front of her. “Holy hell. This is for that thing. The flash mob you told me about.”
