“Oh,” I reply quietly, not really sure how to respond to that. I suppose it wouldn’t be hard to guess where I might go to clear my head in a small town like this. They would’ve found me eventually no matter where I was. “Well, you found me, and I’m okay.” I lift my hands at my sides and then drop them, feeling that same awkwardness creeping in.
“You’re not, though. Are you?” Nick tilts his head as he watches me, and I have to fight my desire to turn away from him. “Rhian told us it was your dream. The donation. No matter how strong you’re trying to be right now, that was still a lot.”
“You didn’t ask us to help because it’s easy for you to fight your lingering feelings for Kai. We know this is hard for you, Plum. It’s okay not to be okay after something like that,” Benson adds.
“I can’t…” I shake my head, my throat too tight to say more.
“That’s okay, you don’t have to talk about it, but we aren’t going anywhere,” Nick says, his voice firm and reassuring.
“We’re going to stay right here,” Benson agrees with a nod. “I’ve never seen you skate before. I want to watch you, but when you’re done, you’re coming with us, okay?”
“Um…”I try to think of a way I can get out of this. The unexpected audience and whatever they’re planning. Nothing comes to mind, leaving me standing in front of them awkwardly.
“No arguing. Go skate. We’ll wait right here waiting.” Nick crosses his arms over his chest as he leans back against a tree.
“Well, okay.” I squint at them for a second, skating backward for a few feet before spinning away. Whatever, guess they’re staying. I wanted to talk to them after the charity anyway. I just didn’t think this is how it would play out. With them coming here, seeking me out.
And bossing me around…
It’s hard to focus, but I skate for a little longer, just enjoying the feel of the ice under my blades and the cool air against my skin. For some reason, having them watch me feels intimate.
This is year five of coming up here to find a little joy, but in all that time, no one has ever joined me. I mean, I’m not the only person who comes here to skate. I’ve been watched while doing a trick or had kids stare at me as I glide across the ice, but those were strangers.
Nick and Benson are far from strangers, and I can feel their eyes on me the entire time as I start to lose myself to the movements.
“Damn, Sugarplum. You look breathtaking out there,” Benson calls as I glide past them, and his compliment makes me smile.
“Like a winter fairy,” Nick adds so sincerely that I snort at the gruff alpha using such a delicate example to describe me.
I amnotdelicate.
When I’m done, I skate back over to them and tilt my head. “What now, boys?”
“You come with us, and we’ll take care of the rest,” Benson answers as he takes my hand.
I let him lead me. Whatever happens, things can’t get worse.
It might be time to trust these alphas—to stop trying to hide from everything and everyone.
Chapter Eleven
“We’re making pies?” I ask, staring at the kitchen of their family’s home like it’s about to grow arms and start baking for itself. I do not cook. I can’t cook. Do they want me poisoning the whole town? “I’m not sure you want me on pie-baking duty.”
The farmhouse kitchen is a baker's dream, with ample cream-colored granite countertop space for the cooling racks that are already waiting, light oak cabinets that hold everything you could need, and a giant copper farm sink gleaming under the window. Wall-mounted double stoves and the large stainless steel fridges give a more modern touch to the older home’s space. The island has been prepped with cutting boards and pie pans.
This space is pretty amazing, but I still have no interest in learning to cook. Maybe I would be okay with learning to bake, though.
“We’ve got nearly two hundred to make by Wednesday night, so yes, we’re making pies,” Benson says with a grin as he walks around the counter and starts grabbing bags from their massive pantry. “Colter is going to start delivering orders on Tuesday morning, so we need to get as much prep done tonight as we can so we can bake tomorrow.”
“Not only that, but we’ve also got to spend time together, and if we’ve all got our hands busy, that will take some of the pressure off so you can get more comfortable around us,” Nick adds, stepping past me to help his brother.
“I’m comfortable around you!” I say defensively, crossing my arms over my chest. I feel like I should be helping them, but I don’t know what the heck I’m supposed to do. The closest I’ve ever come to baking or cooking is my homemade jam, but that's a very different process than baking pies. I’m slightly distracted by the sight of them taking apples and sweet potatoes out of bags when the younger alpha turns to me.
“Kiss me then. Right here, right now,” Benson challenges, lifting his brow as he watches me. My jaw pops open. I’m so surprised by his words that I’m speechless.
The last time I kissed him felt so good that I freaked out, which he clearly noticed.
“What’s wrong, Plum?” Benson tilts his head to the side and steps closer to me, pinning my body between him and the light cream granite counter behind me.
