Beckett dug his fingers into my socked foot absentmindedly as he turned the page in his book. We’d migrated to the couch after dinner. I’d needed some more GED study time, and Beckett had offered to keep me company.
I loved the normalcy of it all. My feet in Beckett’s lap. His casual, careless touches. It was the type of moment I’d dreamed of all my life.
A car door slammed, and Beckett looked up from his book. As he peered through the front window, he grimaced. “Do you have any idea why almost everyone we know is walking up the path to our house right now?”
I scrambled to a sitting position and then stood. “What?” But I was already peeking around the corner.
Everly and Hadley led the way, followed by Hayes and Calder. Shiloh brought up the rear, not looking especially like she wanted to be here.
Beckett’s arm came around me. “Don’t be mad, but Everly might know that we’re…together.”
I spun in his arms. “You told my cousin?”
Beckett winced as my voice went a little shrill. “Hayes guessed as much, and I wasn’t going to lie. I doubt he keeps anything from his fiancée.”
I had the sudden urge to run upstairs and hide under the covers. “They should’ve called and asked to come over first, shouldn’t they?”
“They knew we’d avoid them like the plague.”
The doorbell rang, and I let my head fall to Beckett’s chest. “Maybe we can pretend we’re not home.”
A fist pounded on the door. “We know you’re in there, big brother. If you don’t answer, Hayes will just unlock the door, he has a key.”
“Come on.” Beckett guided me to the front door and pulled it open. “Should’ve dropped you off with the wolves like I always wanted to.”
Hadley stretched up on her tiptoes and kissed Beckett’s cheek. “Love you, too.” She turned her grin to me. “I heard a rumor you might’ve put this one on the straight and narrow.” She jerked a thumb at Beckett as she spoke.
Heat hit my cheeks. “Uh…”
Beckett pulled me tighter against his side. “Leave her alone, Hadley.”
She just rolled her eyes. “She doesn’t need you hovering. You’re going to have to release her eventually. We’re all going out.”
“Out?” I couldn’t help the question as the rest of the group stepped inside.
Everly sent me a nervous smile. “We thought it might be fun for all of us to do something together. There’s a bluegrass band playing at The Bar & Grill.”
Beckett gave my shoulder a squeeze. I knew it was his sign that he’d back me whatever I wanted to do. My eyes closed for the briefest of moments. Normal. Music and friends. A night out. And I knew it was an olive branch from Ev. I opened my eyes. “What do you wear to a bluegrass concert?”
Hadley held up a duffle bag. “We’ve got you covered.”
I shut the door to my bedroom as Hadley dropped her bag onto my bed, and Everly surveyed the space. Shiloh had chosen to stay downstairs with the guys. I stood awkwardly, not knowing what I was supposed to do now.
“I could do your hair and makeup if you wanted,” Everly offered. “I threw some stuff in Hadley’s bag just in case.”
“Sure.” I’d never applied makeup. I’d had no one to teach me, even if I could have gotten my hands on some. I flicked the ends of my hair. “I need to get this cut.”
Hadley perked up at that. “Beckett has medical scissors here. Those are sharp enough for a haircut.”
My eyes widened. “Y-you want to cut my hair?”
Hadley laughed. “The panic on your face.”
“I’m actually pretty good at cutting hair. I used to cut my sister’s and her kids’.”
I looked at Everly. “Really?”
She nodded.