“Only Axel and Wren would arrive on horseback to Sunday dinner,” Archer said with a laugh.
“Daddy said I used to know you when I was little,” Melody said as she climbed up onto the banquette where Wren was sitting beside my mom. “I do think I remember you.”
Wren chuckled, showing zero hesitation as she pulled my niece onto her lap. “Well, I definitely remember you, sweetMelody. Me and your uncle babysat you several times, and you used to love to come see the horses with us.”
“I love horses. And my uncle A said that you’re the best rider in the whole wide world.” Melody ran her fingers over Wren’s cheek and smiled up at her.
“Well, I think a few people might argue with that statement, but I’ll happily take it,” Wren said, and everyone chuckled as they gathered in the kitchen.
Lulu, Henley, and Emilia pulled up some videos of Wren winning Worlds on YouTube.
“Look at you,” Lulu whistled as she held up the video for Henley and Emilia to see. “Talented and gorgeous.”
“I’m loving the equestrian chic fashion, too,” Henley said.
“Such a rock star.” Emilia stared down at the phone with her mouth gaping open.
Wren shook her head, her cheeks slightly pink as she smiled down at Melody.
“My uncle showed me a movie of you at the race. He gots real close to you, and I gots to watch you on his phone,” Melody said, making it known that I’d been there.
The room fell silent for a moment as the realization that my secret was no longer a secret set in.
I hadn’t thought about Melody speaking to Wren, because not that long ago, Wren wasn’t even speaking to me.
Wren’s head shot up, and her dark eyes found mine. “You were at the world championship?”
“And this is why you don’t tell a five-year-old your secrets,” Bridger said under his breath, but we all heard him, and everyone laughed.
Everyone but me and Wren.
My aunt Ellie broke the tension by clapping her hands together. “Okay, ribs are on the table. Everyone grab a platter and head to the dining room.”
She winked at me as she moved toward the table. Everyone followed, aside from Wren, who stopped right in front of me.
“Answer the question, Axel.”
“Yeah. I was at Worlds. Do you really think I’d miss that?”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” She sighed, eyes wet with emotion.
“There’s lots I haven’t told you, Wren. We hadn’t spoken in two years. And you’d blocked me, remember?” I blew out a breath.
“I can’t believe you were there.” Her voice was just above a whisper.
“And I can’t believe you would be surprised that I was there. Of course I’d fucking be there. I’ve been with you from the very beginning. I wasn’t going to miss it. Even if we weren’t speaking at the time.” I shrugged, because it was the truth.
“I’m glad we’re speaking now,” she said, her lips turning up in the corners.
“Yeah, me too.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Bridger said as he stormed over to us. “Mom won’t let us eat until you’re sitting down, and I’m hungry. Can we continue this conversation at the table?”
Wren’s head tipped back in a full-bodied laugh, which made me laugh, too.
“You are such a hangry motherfucker,” I said, keeping my voice low so no one would hear me in the dining room as I shoved him toward the table.
The next hour was spent with platters of food being devoured and my family grilling Wren about her career plans.
