“Can’t wait,” she says softly, gaze full of warmth. “I’m going to head back to the house and check the gossip.”
I catch her hand before she gets far. “No work for the next couple days. Nothing that will run you ragged. Get your butt into bed. I’ll be there in a minute.”
She nods and starts up the sloped lawn toward the ranch house. She passes Riot on his way to us. He’s abandoned his leather jacket thanks to the warm spring sunshine. Shades on, he glances around at our friends who are still socializing. “Ro here? Or...?”
“She should be here sometime today,” I tell him. “Why? Are you planning to rekindle things with her?”
He looks taken aback. “No. I have something I need to discuss with her. That’s all.”
Rogue flashes a cheesy grin at me that vanishes before Riot catches it.Shit stirring much?“Considering dating someone else?”
He rubs a hand over his head. “We should have a drink later. West too. Summer and Ivy and Dizzy as well.”
“Good idea.” He probably wants to tell us about Kelsey but not announce their relationship to everyone at the wedding. They might want to keep it quiet if it’s new. Just between the family for now.
Not that any of our friends would out them to the media or anything. But sudden extreme fame has a way of making people paranoid. And even a small, intimate wedding takes security and wedding specialists and catering staff.
Every one of them has signed an NDA, but that doesn’t mean details won’t get out. It means no one will sell the story to the media or they’ll be prosecuted. Gossip isn’t so easy to litigate.
The court of public opinion can wreak havoc on a relationship. Especially when the socials are filled with things like those pictures of him with Sonatina. Kelsey’s been a part of his life long enough to understand how it works, but understanding doesn’t always make it easy to deal with.
His phone chirps with a notification.
His expression sharpens as he hunts out Kelsey amongst the drag queens. She’s also staring at her phone screen. She must sense him watching, because she looks up. Her scarlet lips are a single straight line.
“Shit,” he mutters under his breath.
Turning her back on him, she slides her phone into the back pocket of her pants before saying something to the queen on her left.
“Rogue, are you ready?” Ivy has changed out of her costume into jeans, riding boots, and a cropped blue T-shirt with a rainbow on the front. The bunny ears are gone.
He pulls her into his side and nuzzles the top of her head. “I was waiting for you. Now, I’m all set.”
“Are you coming with us?” she asks me and Riot. Her eyes are lit up, a crinkle across the top of her nose.
“I need to—” Riot doesn’t bother with an explanation as he stalks off.
“What’s wrong with him?” She refocuses on Rogue.
“Kelsey.” Rogue tips Ivy’s chin.
“Makes sense,” she says.
“Are you excited?” he asks.
“I’ve never ridden such a big beast before.” She beams, practically vibrating with Dizzy level excitement. “I’m a bit nervous, but it’s going to be fun.”
Rogue drops his lips to her ear, but unfortunately, doesn’t bother to whisper. “You don’t need a bigger beast. You’ve got me.”
Gag.“You sure you want to marry someone with such bad lines, Ivy?”
“Fuck you. I’m charming,” Rogue says, but then grins.
“I love you.” She tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “And I am absolutely going to marry you.”
“I’m going to marry you so hard.” He rubs his nose against hers. “You’re going to be Love-Maddox in a few short days.”
“Can’t wait.” She beams. “Burke is showing Kia how to saddle the horses. Dizzy and West should be ready in a minute. And then we can go.”
