“Sorry,” I offered, still feeling a bit guilty for dragging the two of them out here, even if it wasmostlyPreston’s fault. “I’m actuallyhungry. I don’t suppose?—”
Nolan grinned, immediately picking me up and carrying me out to the living room, where Wilder was just waking up on the couch. Plopping me down in his lap, Nolan kept his smirk plastered all over his face as he walked into the kitchen, calling out, “On it!”
I had to laugh as I struggled to get comfy on top of Wilder, but then it became abundantly clear that it was indeedmorningfor him too. I’d noticed yesterday that he’d accidentally been sporting something, and feeling it again was getting my mind thinking all sorts of inappropriate things.
I cleared my throat as my cheeks warmed, I went to get off him and sit on the other end of the couch, but he snaked his arms around my waist and pulled me back to his chest.
“Ah, ah, ah. I like you right there.”
I tried not to giggle. “I bet you do.”
“And just what does?—”
Knock, knock, knock.
I shot upright, looking around the apartment. Why was somebody knocking on my door? Wait, what day was it?
Everything was blurring together because of all the frequent naps I had, and then it hit me like a truck.
Oh God. My doctor's appointment. It's Merrick! He can't find them here!
I leapt off Wilder's lap like it was on fire, I grabbed his hand and yanked him up, rushing him toward the kitchen where Nolan was digging through my fridge.
“You need to hide, you need to go somewhere!” I started shoving both of them through the door, rushing them back toward my bedroom, where I could at least stick them and close and lock the door or something. “Hide, would you?! I need to get some clothes on. Crap. Hold on.”
I ducked my head out of the door, calling out toward the front. “I'm coming, Merrick. Just give me one second!”
Rushing back into the bedroom, I threw on clothes as quickly as I possibly could, not giving a shit that there were two alphas in my bedroom right now. I had bigger things to be worried about.
Once I had a pair of leggings on and an oversized sweater pulled over my head, I took both men in hand once more and shoved them toward my bathroom.
“Get in! Get inside, close the door, and I'll—I'll be back.”
Wilder took my hand, trying to stop me and holding me in place. “What's going on? Why are we being hidden in the bathroom?”
I sighed, my shoulders dragging as I heard the knock at the door come one more time.
“It's my ride to the doctor's appointment. I need to leave. You guys can stay in here, but justdon'tcome out.”
Nolan and Wilder exchanged looks and then turned to me as Wilder said, “All right, Hailey, whatever you need, but I think you need to explain this when you get home.”
They had a point, and I knew I had to explain about Merrick sooner or later. I just needed it to be later right now.
First things first. Doctor's appointment.
“Yes, okay. I'll talk about it when I get back, but I need to go. Please just stay here.”
I started to rush out of the room and then stopped, spinning on my heel so that I could reach my vanity. I snagged a bottle of one of my most potent perfumes and took off the lid, spraying little puffs of it every couple of inches as I walked down the hall.
I didn't want Merrick smelling two alphas in my apartment.
When I got to the front door, the apartment actively reeked of perfume, and I cursed. It was like a toddler had come through the space with utter abandon.Whoops.
Well, it was too late now. With a sigh, I pulled open the door and put on my cheeriest smile, which I had to admit was easier, thanks to actually eating and resting.
“Hi, Hails, ready to—Jesus, why does it smell like your perfume exploded all over the apartment?”
Merrick held his hand up to his nose, grimacing as he reeled backward. I scratched at my head, playing into the-embarrassment-after-an-accident vibe.
