Chapter 23
TWENTY-THREE
2 Days til Christmas 11 PM
“You sure you want to go over there now?” Finn took out the bags from the back of my dad’s SUV.
“I’m not sure of anything.”
We’d talked over a game plan on the way back to our folks’ house.
In the end, I figured being direct was best. I dug into my bags for the small box with the icy white bow on it and tucked it into my jacket pocket.
I wasn’t sure I’d be giving her a present, but I figured maybe the snowflake would be a bit of good luck at the very least.
“You want me to go with you?”
I laughed. “Think that might kill the mood.”
“I don’t know. Maybe she’ll see me and leave you in the dust.”
“Good way for me to drop-kick you into the lake.”
Finn threw his head back with a belly laugh. “You’re already choosing her over me? I’m offended.”
“Yeah, you sound it.”
“I can’t wait to meet this woman.”
I hoped to God I got to introduce her to them. “I’m going to drive by the cabin and see if there’s lights on. If there’s aren’t, I guess I’ll go over in the morning.”
Probably.
I wasn’t sure I was above pounding on the door until someone opened it. Even if it was one of her brothers.
I didn’t think I could go another night without at least talking to her. If I was going to stare at the ceiling during another sleepless night, I’d do it while knowing I’d tried my best to figure out this mess.
“All right, man. I think you’re nuts, but love makes us crazy. Remember when Cecily broke up with me over the summer before I went to college?”
“That was an ugly time.”
My middle triplet brother wasn’t the best judge of women. He’d gone out with more than one unhinged woman in high school, continuing the pattern right through college.
Finn laughed. “She was a wild one. I heard she’s married with two kids and lives in Cicero. Freaking crazy life.”
We’d lived our whole life in the Syracuse area. After hearing my dad’s history with our mom, it was crazy to me that it almost hadn’t happened. I couldn’t let that be me and Ocean. At least not without a fight.
“I hear that if you’re looking for a family, Crescent Cove is the place to be. Maybe you’ll meet the future Mrs. MacGregor before you finish building your fancy spa.”
Finn snorted. “We’ll see about that one. I need to get the contract before I worry about that.”
Knowing Finn’s track record, that was probably a good plan. “Wish me luck.”
“You got it. Text me if you need to get drunk. I’ll meet you in the basement.”
“Thanks, Finn.”
“You got it, man. Go get your girl.”
As I was pulling out of the driveway, flurries started to fall. It was either a good sign or an omen, I wasn’t sure which.
By the time I got around the lake to Bond Lane, the snow was starting to stick. I gripped the steering wheel as a flash of my last trip ending in a careening spin made my throat go dry. But my dad’s SUV was sturdy and a much heavier piece of machinery than the Versa, so I was able to tamp down my nerves.
Slowly, I made my way up the private lane to see my Versa was still very much under a mountain of snow. In my love stupor, I’d forgotten to have it towed out.
However, that was a future Hudson problem. I had one focus, and it was Ocean Hawkins. As I eased around the bend and got past the tree cover, the picture-perfect cabin came into view. The whole place was glowing with warmth.
The tree was on, as well as the living room lights.
I parked behind a motorcycle and a massive black truck. There was another SUV covered in snow. That must have been Ocean’s vehicle.
My stomach flipped and headed for my throat.
I was not going to be sick. I was going to go in there and tell her I loved her and that she should give us a chance.
Even if I didn’t have a fucking plan.
God, I was so stupid.
Why would she want to give me a chance? I didn’t even know if I wanted to go back to Chicago.
Actually, I did know.
I knew it wasn’t a good fit anymore, but how could I expect this bright, beautiful woman to take a leap when I didn’t have a plan.
I paused on the steps, ready to turn around.
This was so stupid.
I was such a bad bet. Regardless of the miscommunication we’d had, there was no reason this woman should want to be with me. She was uber successful, and she had her own crazy life working for her brother.
A freaking global superstar.
I was such an idiot.
The door swung open, and Kent Hawkins stood in the doorway. His massive, muscular shoulders filled the whole damn opening.
“What the hell are you doing here, MacGregor?”
A small woman slid around Kent. “Is this Ocean’s guy?” She was cute and barely out of her teens from what I could tell. Her eyes were golden like Quentin’s but tilted up a bit, giving her a feline look with her triangular face.
I stuffed my fingers into my pockets. “I’m Hudson, yes.”
She shuffled out in oversized moose slippers and grabbed my arm. “I’m River, the youngest of this crazy group. Come in. It’s freezing out here.”
“I was hoping I could talk to…” I trailed off as three men stood up from the couch, all in varying sizes.
The blond one folded his arms across his chest, and I swallowed as I recognized Rio Hawkins. He was no less imposing without his pads. He was wearing a Kings jersey over jeans and had a menacing frown on his face.
Quentin still didn’t seem happy to see me, but that was no different from our earlier meeting.
The third had to be the firefighter. He was the shortest of the MacGregor males but made up for it in sheer muscle. Also, he had a hard to read face.
Who I didn’t see was Ocean.
River moved behind me and pushed me inside. “Would you stop with the menacing looks? All of you look like you’re going to toss him in the lake.”
“It’s a thought,” Kent muttered as he gave me a wide berth and went into the living room to stand by the fire. “What are you doing here?”
River went onto her toes and pulled at my coat.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to give it up. At least it would provide a little padding if I was getting my ass handed to me.
“I’m looking for Ocean.”
“You tore out of here with your ass on fire the last time I saw you, man.” Quentin sat back down, his usual insolent pose paired with a bored gaze.
“I was a little taken aback that a famous singer walked in here.”
“Because you were having sex with my sister. If you had pants on, I wouldn’t have surprised you.”
Kent balled his hands into fists.
I glanced from him to Rio, who had already moved silently to my left. He didn’t look too happy about that information, either.
“Look. I’m not here to make trouble. I just want to talk to Ocean.”
“She’s not here.” Levi walked toward me head-on.
Now I was effectively surrounded by her brothers.
With no Ocean in sight.
Where the hell was she? All her people were here.
This couldn’t be good.