Chapter 17 Rebel
Rebel
“What are we talking about?” I wrap my hand around Summer’s elbow and draw her back to my chest. Her strawberry scented hair is soft under my chin.
Fuck me, I miss the taste of her.
Adira’s gaze twinkles. “Secret women’s business.”
“Of course.” I press my lips to Summer’s temple. “Want to go back to the house, take a nap and snuggle?”
“That sounds amazing.”
Adira raises her brows at Summer. “Well, don’t let me intrude on those plans. A nap sounds delightful. But alas, I have wedding preparations to attend to. Catch up with me later if you still need me.”
“I will.”
Adira swans across the lawn and inserts himself into a conversation between his fellow queens and Ivy’s friend from school. Ben blushes furiously when Adira says something to him.
“He’s such a flirt,” I say about the queen. “What were you two talking about?”
“It was nothing.” She tucks her hands behind my neck with a smile. Her cheeks blush a rosy pink. Healthy. She seems to have turned a corner with the first trimester behind us. “He offered to help me work out what to wear tonight. I’m not sure the costume I bought works with this baby belly.”
“Kitten, you would look good in a sack.”
“Can you ride a horse in your condition?” Rogue joins us as the guests disperse. “I can’t imagine the quad bikes would be a good idea.”
“I can, but—”
“Over my dead body.” Riding horses is dangerous at the best of times, but with her center of balance thrown off and our babies in her belly, a fall could spell disaster. As much as she hates being coddled... “The risk is too high.”
“It does come with an increased risk.” Summer strokes my arm. “But I’ve been riding since I was a kid. I can handle it.”
“You could but I’ll be the one with his heart in his throat the entire time.” God help me if she argues. I don’t want to be like her brothers and tell her what she can and can’t do, but there’s no way I’m letting her on a beast whose back is higher than she is tall.
“Lucky for you”—she squeezes my jaw as she steps back—“my boyfriend promised me a nap, which is my ultimate idea of a good time these days.”
“And he plans on delivering.” The stress of helping Ivy and Adira pull this wedding together on top of morning sickness has her exhausted. I’m betting a massage will go a long way to helping her relax.
“Can’t wait,” she says softly, gaze full of warmth. “I’m going to head back to the house and check the gossip.”
I catch her hand before she gets far. “No work for the next couple days. Nothing that will run you ragged. Get your butt into bed. I’ll be there in a minute.”
She nods and starts up the sloped lawn toward the ranch house. She passes Riot on his way to us. He’s abandoned his leather jacket thanks to the warm spring sunshine. Shades on, he glances around at our friends who are still socializing. “Ro here? Or...?”
“She should be here sometime today,” I tell him. “Why? Are you planning to rekindle things with her?”
He looks taken aback. “No. I have something I need to discuss with her. That’s all.”
Rogue flashes a cheesy grin at me that vanishes before Riot catches it. Shit stirring much? “Considering dating someone else?”
He rubs a hand over his head. “We should have a drink later. West too. Summer and Ivy and Dizzy as well.”
“Good idea.” He probably wants to tell us about Kelsey but not announce their relationship to everyone at the wedding. They might want to keep it quiet if it’s new. Just between the family for now.
Not that any of our friends would out them to the media or anything. But sudden extreme fame has a way of making people paranoid. And even a small, intimate wedding takes security and wedding specialists and catering staff.
Every one of them has signed an NDA, but that doesn’t mean details won’t get out. It means no one will sell the story to the media or they’ll be prosecuted. Gossip isn’t so easy to litigate.
The court of public opinion can wreak havoc on a relationship. Especially when the socials are filled with things like those pictures of him with Sonatina. Kelsey’s been a part of his life long enough to understand how it works, but understanding doesn’t always make it easy to deal with.
His phone chirps with a notification.
His expression sharpens as he hunts out Kelsey amongst the drag queens. She’s also staring at her phone screen. She must sense him watching, because she looks up. Her scarlet lips are a single straight line.
“Shit,” he mutters under his breath.
Turning her back on him, she slides her phone into the back pocket of her pants before saying something to the queen on her left.
“Rogue, are you ready?” Ivy has changed out of her costume into jeans, riding boots, and a cropped blue T-shirt with a rainbow on the front. The bunny ears are gone.
He pulls her into his side and nuzzles the top of her head. “I was waiting for you. Now, I’m all set.”
“Are you coming with us?” she asks me and Riot. Her eyes are lit up, a crinkle across the top of her nose.
“I need to—” Riot doesn’t bother with an explanation as he stalks off.
“What’s wrong with him?” She refocuses on Rogue.
“Kelsey.” Rogue tips Ivy’s chin.
“Makes sense,” she says.
“Are you excited?” he asks.
“I’ve never ridden such a big beast before.” She beams, practically vibrating with Dizzy level excitement. “I’m a bit nervous, but it’s going to be fun.”
Rogue drops his lips to her ear, but unfortunately, doesn’t bother to whisper. “You don’t need a bigger beast. You’ve got me.”
Gag. “You sure you want to marry someone with such bad lines, Ivy?”
“Fuck you. I’m charming,” Rogue says, but then grins.
“I love you.” She tiptoes to kiss his cheek. “And I am absolutely going to marry you.”
“I’m going to marry you so hard.” He rubs his nose against hers. “You’re going to be Love-Maddox in a few short days.”
“Can’t wait.” She beams. “Burke is showing Kia how to saddle the horses. Dizzy and West should be ready in a minute. And then we can go.”
“Great.”
West on a horse... that’s a stilted image.
“If you’ll excuse me...” I clap Rogue on the back as I pass him. “I’m going to go spend some time with my woman.”
Leaving them to it, I make my way up to the main house.
Owen rises from one of the rocking chairs on the wrap around veranda like he’s been waiting. The wooden stairs creak under his heavy boots. The brim of his hat is low over his eyes. “I’ve been looking for you, Hollywood.”
The way he sneers when he says Hollywood coupled with the quiet disdain he’s sent my way since we arrived... he doesn’t believe I’m good enough for his sister.
It’s an opinion I need to rectify, although the timing could be better.
What is it they say to do when dealing with bears? Make oneself appear bigger and scary to intimidate them. Unless it’s a grizzly bear. Fuck, I hope Owen doesn’t react like a grizzly.
I take a deep breath, puff out my chest and spread my arms wide like I really am dealing with a bear. Stare Summer’s biggest, oldest brother dead in the eye. “Here I am.”