Chapter 29 Amber
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Amber
I rub my temple, trying to massage away a dull throb that has taken up residence behind my right eye. I think it’s a low-grade headache fueled by stress and lack of sleep. But it’s persistent.
It doesn’t help that the gymnasium at Fox Hollow Elementary is a cacophony of noise—shoes squeaking on hardwood, parents shouting over heads, kids bouncing off the walls.
“We got seats!” Dorian calls out, waving a hand toward the bleachers near the front of the gymnasium.
“Good,” Jude says. He’s standing next to me, acting as a buffer against a frantic mother rushing past with a poster board. “You okay, sis?”
“I’m fine. Just a headache.”
He frowns. “You want me to get you some water? Or maybe an aspirin?”
“No, I’m good.” I force a smile. “I just need to sit down.”
Ryker and Dorian head toward the rows, dodging a swarm of second-graders. Jude turns his attention to Norah, who is leaning heavily against his arm, her hand resting on her belly.
“Come on, Mama,” he murmurs, guiding her toward the chairs Dorian saved. “Let’s get you off your feet.”
I follow them, weaving through the crowd. Every step makes my headache spike a little, but seeing Maisie on the stage—standing tall in her red glasses, her hands clasped tightly in front of her—settles my stomach.
We reach our row. Norah sinks into the plastic seat with a sigh that sounds like relief. She grabs my hand as I sit next to her, her grip tight.
“You going to be okay?” she asks, her voice low enough that only I can hear. “You look pale.”
“I’m fine,” I promise, squeezing her back. “Just tired. The guys are on their way.”
“Good.” She nods, her eyes searching my face. “You need to enjoy this. Maisie has been talking about it all week.”
Jude leans over from his other side. “Are you sure you don’t want me to get you anything?
“I’m okay, Jude. I promise.”
He and Norah exchange a look—one of those long, silent married conversations that communicate volumes. It’s knowing. It’s plotting.
“Maybe we can get Simon to check you out,” Jude suggests. “He’s in the back anyway, volunteering as the school nurse for the event.”
I shake my head quickly. “No, really. I don’t want to cause a fuss. I promise I’m okay. I just need to sit still for a minute.”
Norah studies me for a beat, then nods slowly. “Okay. But you’re waiting here? You aren’t going to run backstage?”
“I’m staying right here.”
“Good.” She pats my hand. “I need to call Wren real quick, but you two talk.”
I blink, confused. “Call Wren? About what?”
“Just... girl stuff.” She waves a hand vaguely and struggles to stand up. “Don’t go anywhere.”
I watch her waddle away, her phone already to her ear. Jude turns back to me, watching the stage where the principal is adjusting a microphone.
“What is going on with you two?” I ask, keeping my voice down. “You’re acting all cryptic.”
“What?” He looks at me, his face the picture of innocence. “Nothing.”
I narrow my eyes at him. “Jude. I know that look. You’re keeping a secret.”
He laughs. “Maybe.”
The noise in the gymnasium swells, the chatter rising as the lights dim slightly.
Jude looks at Maisie on the stage, then back at me. “I’m proud, Amber. I’m so damn proud of you I can hardly see straight.”
My throat tightens. “Jude...”
“I mean it,” he says fiercely. “Look at what you’ve done. You came here with nothing. You built a life. You’re working. You’re taking care of Maisie. And tonight? Tonight is a culmination of all of that. Watching her up there... it’s because of you. You did that.”
“Why are you being so emotional?” I whisper, my eyes burning.
He laughs again, reaching out to squeeze my shoulder. “Because I’m a sap. Because I’m your brother and I love you.”
Just then, the double doors at the back of the gymnasium swing open.
A hush falls over the crowd near the entrance, then a murmur of excitement ripples through the rows. I turn to look.
My breath catches in my throat.
Knox, Eli, and Fallon walk in.
And they aren’t wearing their usual kitchen attire. No grease-stained whites, no jeans. They’re in suits.
Knox is in a deep charcoal three-piece that fits his broad shoulders like it was tailored for him. He has a crisp white shirt underneath, a dark tie knotted perfectly at his throat. He looks severe, sophisticated, and dangerous.
Eli is in a lighter gray suit with a navy vest over a button-down. His glasses catch the gym lights, reflecting the room. He looks softer, approachable, but just as striking.
And Fallon... Fallon is wearing a navy suit that fits him perfectly. His hair is actually styled, swooped back off his forehead. He looks like a movie star. He looks like trouble.
They spot us immediately. The crowd seems to part around them as they walk toward the bleachers. They move with that pack synchronicity, eating up the distance.
Jude stands up as they approach. He greets them with a handshake and a back-slap that seems way too familiar.
“Good to see you guys made it,” Jude says.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Fallon replies, flashing his charming grin.
What the fuck? Since when are they friends?
Jude glances at me, then back at them. “I’m going to go find Norah. She’s probably lost in the bathroom line. See you inside?”
“Absolutely,” Knox says.
Jude walks off, leaving me sitting there with my heart beating so loud that I can hear it in my ears. I stand up as they reach our row.
“Hi,” I breathe out.
They stop, towering over me. The smell of them—clean laundry, expensive cologne, and underneath it, that rich musk of Alpha—washes over me, drowning out the scent of floor wax and stress.
“You look...” Eli starts, his gaze sweeping over my face. “Stunned.”
“I feel stunned,” I say, looking down at my simple jeans and sweater. I feel underdressed. “You guys... look incredible.”
“Clean,” Fallon says with a wink. “Scrubbed up good.”
“Thank you for coming,” I say, looking between them. “What is going on? Why the suits?”
“Nothing special,” Fallon lies smoothly. He leans a shoulder against the bleacher, looking casual despite the five-thousand-dollar outfit. “Just wanted to look respectable for your kid’s big debut.”
“Mmhmm.” I cross my arms. “I find it hard to believe you put suits on just for a third-grade debate.”
Fallon grins, shrugging one shoulder. “Can’t a guy look nice for his favorite girl?”
“Favorite girl?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Or her mom,” Eli chimes in, his eyes crinkling.
“Smooth,” Fallon says. “So, how old are you turning by the way?”
My frown deepens. “What?”
“How old are you turning?” Fallon repeats. “Just curious. Twenty-eight? Twenty-nine?”
I stare at him. Why is he asking this?
“Twenty-seven,” I say slowly. “Next Tuesday.”
“Ah,” Eli says. “Next Tuesday.”
“Next Tuesday,” Knox echoes. He glares at Fallon. “Espèce d’idiot.”
“I was just curious. There’s nothing wrong with being curious?” Fallon asks, all innocence. “Is there?”
I look between them. Knox is cursing Fallon in rapid French under his breath. He punches Fallon in the shoulder, hard enough to make Fallon rock back on his heels.
My eyes widen as the realization hits me.
The suits. The secrecy. Norah and Jude acting weird. The guys asking about my birthday.
“Damn,” I whisper, staring at them. “Are you guys planning something for my birthday?”
Knox stops glaring at Fallon to look at me.
Eli rubs the back of his neck, looking down at his shoes.
“Norah reached out,” Eli admits. “She told us... about two weeks ago. She told us your birthday is coming up and that you don’t really celebrate it.”
“We didn’t want to surprise you on the day,” Knox adds, his tone serious. “We know you don’t like the attention. So we figured... maybe we do something before. Or on a different day. Something low-key.”
“But Fallon here,” Eli continues, nudging Fallon with his elbow, “ruined the surprise by asking your age in the middle of the gymnasium.”
“I’m sorry!” Fallon laughs, holding his hands up. “I have no filter. It’s a known defect.”
“I can’t believe this,” I say, looking at them. They planned this. They planned something for me.
A lump forms in my throat, bigger than the headache.
“What’s the plan?” I ask.
Knox steps closer, invading my space just enough that I can smell his cedar scent. “After the debate. We’ll show you.”
“Show me?”
“Oui.” He reaches out, tucking a stray hair behind my ear. “I have a feeling you’re going to love it.”
Fallon leans in. “Let us spoil you, Sunshine. You deserve to be spoiled.”
My eyes well up with tears. I blink them back rapidly. “I thought this was about Maisie.”
“It is about her,” Eli says softly. “But it’s about you too.”
Fallon smirks, glancing toward the stage where the principal is tapping the microphone again. “Looks like the main event is starting.”
I turn toward the stage. Maisie is there, scanning the crowd.
She spots us and waves wildly, her face lighting up when she sees the guys in their suits. She points at them, saying something to the kid next to her.
“She looks ready,” Knox says, sounding proud. “Let’s go watch.”
We move as a group toward the chairs. Jude and Norah have returned, Norah slipping her arm through Jude’s, giving me a knowing wink as we pass.
I sit between Knox and Eli, Fallon on the other side of Eli. The lights dim further.
The microphone squeals.
“Welcome, parents and students, to the annual Fox Hollow Elementary Debate Tournament,” the principal’s voice booms.
I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees. Maisie steps up to the podium. She looks small behind it, but she adjusts her glasses with a confidence that makes my chest ache.
“Eli,” I whisper, needing to touch him. I reach for his hand under the plastic seat. He threads his fingers through mine, squeezing tight.
“Knock ’em dead, baby,” he whispers back.
Fallon reaches around Eli and places a hand on my shoulder. Knox leans closer, brushing his knee against mine.
Surrounded by them. Dressed up for me. Watching my daughter shine.