35
Summer
Rebel’s brothers, Ivy, and Dizzy are all noticeably absent from the barn. Burke is slow dancing with Kia under the twinkling white lights. Henry and Kale are still manning the bull, but the rest of my brothers went God knows where with Rebel.
Adira, the queens, and the rest of the guests are having a grand old time. One of the queens is currently riding the bull. The tassels on his iconic, conical gold bra are swinging with every movement. The platinum curls piled high on his head stay perfectly in place as he levitates from the saddle at one point.
Ivy’s college friend watches the antics from a table where he sits alone, a beer nestled in one hand. Ben looks slightly awkward and uncomfortable. It must be hard coming stag to a wedding where you don’t know anyone very well.
Adira spots Ben too. With a flirtatious pucker and one finger, he summons him to join the queens.
Is it me, or does the guy look flustered as he gets up from the table?
Since everyone else has already skipped out, including the bride and groom, I don’t feel bad about what I’m about to do.
Henry waves as I pass him.
I don’t stop. It’s been a long time coming, but there’s something I need to do that I should have done a long time ago.
Leaving the barn, I head up to the house.
It’s time I make the boys who were in the bathroom that night tell the town exactly what they did. I’m over letting them have an impact on my life. I’m done staying away from my home and my family because of them.
It’s time I took my life back.
I walk into the bedroom and start pulling out clothes. I need to hurry. I want to get this done and get back in case Ivy needs me. Although she and Rogue are no doubt snuggled up somewhere enjoying a little one-on-one time before it’s all systems go.
I change out of the bodysuit and into black leggings and one of Rebel’s T-shirts. I put on Converse and lace them up before looking for a sweatshirt. Rebel brought a couple, but he didn’t unpack them.
His suitcase is on the bed, so I open it and take out a fleece lined hoodie. It smells like him. I drag it over my head and smooth it over my baby bump.
That’s when I see the ring box nestled with his other sweaters. I suck my cheek between my teeth and reach down and run my fingers over its velvety top.
Was he going to propose and I ruined it by saying I didn’t want to marry him? My heart drops. That’s what happened, isn’t it?
I should rip off his hoodie and stuff it back in the suitcase. I should shut the lid and pretend I never saw the ring. Like I’ve been doing for months. Except…
Another glance can’t hurt. I pick up the box and pry open the lid. It really is pretty. Perfect, if I’m being honest. I pinch the gold band between my fingers and take it out of the box. It’ll fit me too. I’m certain he would have made sure it was sized. He notices the little things.
I slip it on my ring finger, push it down over my knuckle. It fits snuggly. Like it’s meant to be on my finger and not in the box hidden inside the suitcase.
“Hey, can I talk to you?” Kelsey asks.
I jump out of my skin and toss the box back into the suitcase. Slamming the lid down, I turn around to face her while shoving my hands in the hoodie pockets.
She looks tired.
“Only if we walk and talk.” I leave the room and gesture for her to keep up. “Rebel is with my brothers. I don’t know how long he’s going to be, and there’s something I need to do before he returns.”
“Do you get jealous?” Her voice wavers. “With all the feminine attention Rebel gets?”
“Oh, I get jealous. It can be hard to watch gorgeous women hit on him.” I grab my bag and keys. If the FBI agent is here for Riot, the man is not going to care what happens in town, right? “It’s not like I plan to kill anyone.”
“I’m not either.”
“Huh?” I look at Kelsey.
She looks at me.
