“Someone take a selfie of us,” I say.
Neveah laughs, then lightly swats my ass as she pulls her phone out.
“You’ve gotten awfully bossy,” she says. “I would’ve thought we’d have fucked it out of you by now.”
“I think we actually fucked it into her,” Brooks says, his tone dry, and Riley cackles.
Chapter Fifty-One
Riley
I’m in the rundown pole barn a couple days later, having convinced one of our temporary summer staff to cover my shift again. I’ve been trying to get this gift sorted for weeks now, and it’s finally coming to fruition. Maybe it can be a ‘great job getting railed for five days straight and still looking like a goddess afterwards’ gift?
Hmm. That might be too long of a title.
I’ll workshop it.
For now, I need to clear it with Neveah. The pole barn is set with everything I need, and I think it’s safe enough. I had a cleanup crew come out a couple weeks ago when the alphas were out with Sage, and then an inspector after I did some repair work to ensure everything was up to snuff.
I wipe my hands on the rag in my pocket, then swipe my sweaty forehead as I take one last look around the space.
I’ve been putting off telling Vee until I had all the details worked out. She has enough on her plate, and I didn’t want her stressing about this too. I think it’s time, though.
I find her in her office and flop into the extra chair.
“What’s up?” she asks, glancing at me. “Why are you so sweaty?”
“You like it?” I wink at her, and she rolls her eyes. “Fine, you’re no fun. I actually have something to run by you.”
She rolls away from her desk when she hears my more serious tone, turning her chair to face me.
“What is it?”
“I have a gift idea for Sage…”
All it takes is a quick explanation, then a rundown of my plan, what I’ve found, and the work I’ve done on the pole barn, and Vee’s in.
“Honestly, kinda mad I didn’t think of that myself,” she says. “Good work, Sour Patch. You gonna tell Brooks?”
“I was planning to.” I tilt my head, a mischievous grin crossing my face. “But now I’m imagining his shocked face when he sees Sage getting this present, and I think I like that more.”
“Your funeral,” Vee says with a laugh, turning back to her computer.
Three days later, I have Sage blindfolded in front of me as I walk her and Brooks out to the pole barn. Neveah is there already keeping an eye on things.
“Big step,” I say, pretending like there’s something for Sage to step over. “Ope, and a little to the left here.”
I navigate her around a non-existent obstacle.
“Careful, careful!” I say, and she freezes, hands outstretched. “Phew, okay, come back this way, don’t want you running into anything.”
I tug her back toward me and she grips my hand tight.
“Step high this time,” I say, holding in a laugh. “And the other foot. Good, now a reeeaaaaally long step.”
She stretches her legs as far as she can, and Brooks harrumphs from behind us. When I look back, he’s trying to hide the grin on his face.
“Duck,” I say, and she bends down. “Lower.”
