“Hey, Raquel,” Aero said.
I shifted in my seat and tried to look disinterested.
“You lookin’ for me?” Orion asked.
“Yeah,” Aero said. “Got a few?”
“Yeah, sure. Let’s head up to the cabin.”
Aero nodded.
Orion kissed Raquel, his back to me, and Aero waved his pinky finger toward me. I smiled, waving mine back, then he walked out with Orion and my sister-in-law set the alarm, then crossed her arms.
“So, it’s Aero.”
“What’s Aero?” I hedged, standing and heading to the kitchen.
“What you wouldn’t tell me yesterday. The reason you were upset.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh my god,” she breathed out, pulling a mug from the cabinet and pouring coffee into it. “When did all that start?”
“When did what start?”
“Woman, I’m the queen of keeping secrets from her big brother. You can’t fool me.”
I sighed. “If you tell Ori, I will deny all of it.”
“Please.” She rolled her eyes. “He’d believe me over anyone, but I promise, I won’t tell.”
I studied her for a few seconds, then I spilled. Chalk it up to needing someone other than Everly to know everything, or just needing a sympathetic ear, but I told her everything.
“Wow,” Raquel breathed out when I was done.
“I know, right?”
“I can’t believe you’ve been able to keep this from your dad and brothers,” she mused. “I mean, Orion hasn’t said a thing, so I know he doesn’t have a clue.”
“They’re distracted,” I said. “Ori with you and Dad with club stuff and Wyatt. If this all happened a year ago, I might not have been able to keep it on the downlow.”
“Well, it’s definitely working. Ori thinks you’re pining for Snowcone.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Ew. No.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. He loves himself way too much. He seriously thinks his shit don’t stink and talks about all his areas of expertise. He’s gross.”
“I haven’t gotten to know him well enough, but I could see that,” she agreed.
“It works for me if they think I’m into him, though. Because Dad knows Snowcone won’t act on it. He’s pretty much made it clear none of the brothers can go there, and I’ve made it clear I don’t want a biker, so for the moment, we’re okay.” I sighed. “The problem’s going to come when Dad finds out. He’s going to kill Aero. Or worse, make him fight.”
“Well, your secret’s safe with me,” she said.
“I appreciate that.”
“I kind of hope you figure it out soon, though. I want to be first on your list for a double date.”
