“This is your last chance to get it right, Kaia,” Mattie told him, a clear warning in her voice.
Rebel grabbed the little redhead’s hand and squeezed gently. “Do you want Momma to reimburse you with cash? Email it to you? Have another one delivered?”
The questions overwhelmed Kaia. He’d received gift cards before but rarely purchased them. When he did, they were usually last-minute and in small denominations. The most expensive one he’d ever bought was fifty bucks. What he didn’t do or couldn’t afford didn’t concern him. Life was just simpler that way.
“How do you want Aunt Meggie to replace the stupid card?” Mattie demanded.
Kayce’s brows scrunched. “Can’t she just print the original one?”
“Nope,” Rebel said cheerfully. “The boys used it.” She flicked her uninjured wrist. “Hence, the reimbursement.”
If Kaia wasn’t wrong, Rebel and Mattie contacted Mrs. Caldwell to help with Kayce. Kaia wasn’t sure how he felt about that. Relief, certainly. Gratitude. And embarrassment, too.
“Why don’t we figure it out later?” Mattie suggested. “We’ve spent way too much time on this, and we need to drink the champagne before we’re discovered.”
“Right.” Rebel nodded to the bottle Kaia still held, but somehow managed to forget about. “We’ve left you in limbo,holding that bottle. You can open it, while Mattie gets the glasses.”
“We aren’t passing the bottle around?” Kayce asked, halting Mattie as she stood. “It’ll save on the plastic cups.”
“Plastic cups?” they chorused in horror.
It was as if Kayce had just proposed they blow up a building.
“You will murder the bubbles,” Rebel said in outrage.
Mattie nodded. “Yeah, certain glasses are used for champagne for a reason. We have got to use the proper glasses,” she declared, and started toward the basket she’d set on the bed.
Kaia blocked her. “Kayce’s about to be seventeen, but you two are even younger,” he said. “I can’t imagine everyone’s reaction to me if I give you alcohol in this house.”
They’d fucking draw and quarter him. Discovering Mrs. Caldwell wasted even more money on him wouldn’t help matters.
“I’ll be sure to watch you ride off into the sunset,” Mattie chirped. “Now, move.”
Kaia’s shoulders slumped and he stepped aside, not having the energy to block her. CJ and Bishop were treating him a little nicer, but they wouldn’t care if they never saw him again either. Mattie stomped around him.
“Kaia?”
Rebel’s enchanting voice soothed him.
“Yeah, babe?”
“I wouldn’t do anything to get you in trouble.” She studied his face closely. “And I would never do anything to embarrass you. Not purposely, at least. No matter how those morons were acting, Momma, Aunt Bunny, and I always wanted you here. Whatever Momma can do for you and your family, she will. Not out of pity but out of loyalty. We take care of our own. CJ came around. He’s just really protective of me so you being here was aconcern. That’s all. No biggie. But you’re a good guy. One of the best. Sweet. Kind. Loyal.”
Somehow, Kaia held in his wince.
“Once my brother got used to you being here, so did Bishop, Grant, and Rory. Ryan’s turned into a human, so he followed suit. Diesel and Daddy are a lost cause. You’re safer not knowing the Triplets.” Rebel’s giggle brought out Kaia’s smile. “Use the opportunities that you will get and live your best life.Istill would cut off my fucking hands before I paid for anything for you. You work for Momma and whatever she does for you—ruined clothes aside—it’s because you earned it.”
He looked at the bottle in his hand and he remembered the sex tape he’d allowed Diesel to film. Secrets never stayed buried. He didn’t want Rebel to find out about that video ever, but he especially didn’t want it hanging over his head, eating away at him. If they became a real couple and she found out about it afterwards, she’d hate him. It was better if she heard about Fia from him.
“Reb, I have something to…” A punch landed on the back of his head. “Owww!” he whined, spinning around and facing Mattie’s angry gaze.
“You open your miserable mouth and you’ll be sorry,” she whispered.
“What do you have to tell me?” Rebel demanded.
“A birthday surprise,” Mattie said smoothly.
“Really?” Rebel asked, her eyes lighting up.
