Chapter 26
CHAPTER 26
B lake knew he was being obvious. But damn if he couldn’t keep his eyes off of Paige. Not to mention that every second he was away from her, he wondered what she was doing.
He didn’t really care what Lukas thought anymore. After this trip, he was going to tell Paige how he felt and then let the chips fall where they may. He had to stay away now though because he didn’t want to cause a fight during their trip.
He fell to the back of the crowd as they hiked up to Fort Mackinac and he kept Tria from entangling with the rest of the dogs.
Anna tucked her arm in his. “How are you doing?”
“Fine.”
“Are you sure? Because you didn’t tell me about Debbie. I’ve called you three times and you haven’t answered a single one. Let alone called me back. You’re living only a few hours from me, and you didn’t bother to invite me up to see you.”
She pouted.
“I’m sorry. I just…it was too much. You and Hayden are so happy and the twins. I just didn’t want to bring you down. I’d already done that to both Tristan and Mia and Lukas and Tess.”
“You’re one of my best friends.”
He squeezed her hand with his arm. “I know. That’s probably why I didn’t tell you. Because you would’ve seen right through me and made me talk about it all.”
“Probably. I suppose I can forgive you. But only if you dish on what’s going on with you and Paige.”
He swallowed. This was the truth of why he didn’t call Anna. She would’ve driven out to see them and would’ve known exactly what was going on. “Nothing.”
“I’m calling B.S.” She grinned.
He jerked his eyes away from Paige’s backside. “Okay, maybe I like her a little.”
“A little? Hmm. We’ll see about that. The rest of us like her a lot, and we’re trying to decide who to set her up with. Seth, Grayson, or David. What do you think? I’m thinking Grayson because David is too serious, and Seth is too immature.”
Blake saw red. The thought of Paige with any one of them made him want to march up to her and claim her as his. He punched a fist into his hand without thinking. He wasn’t sure what to do with his inner caveman. He’d never even knew it existed before now.
He tried to keep his composure, but Anna was already laughing. “I see how it is. What’s stopping you?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Man, he was a sucker. She knew just how to get to him. “Lukas.”
“I wouldn’t let him stand in the way of your happiness. He’ll get over it. Lukas has Tess, what’s wrong with you having Paige?”
“If things don’t work out with Paige, then what? It could destroy our friendship.” These guys were his family. He couldn’t risk that.
Anna sighed. “I guess that’s something to think about. But you and Paige ought to at least entertain the idea. I think she really likes you, and you like her.”
“Maybe, but not here. If we do, it will be after we head home, and we’ll keep it on the down-low until we figure out otherwise.” Oh geesh. He really did have it bad. It was her home, not his, but he’d started thinking of it that way.
“That seems reasonable, but you might want to make sure Seth doesn’t make a move first.” She motioned to the side.
Blake jerked his head up. Sure enough, Seth was walking next to Paige. A little close for Blake’s comfort.
Once again, he saw red.
He stepped forward to interfere, but Anna held him back with a nod to Lukas, who was already marching their way.
Blake was too far away to hear anything, but Lukas wiggled his way in between the two of them.
At first Blake was pleased, but then he realized that Lukas would do the same thing to the both of them.
Blake didn’t stand a chance.