Page 81 of Burning Skies
Jace: Thanks to that fucker Trig.
I wince, not knowing how to quell the animosity between our families.
Me: So tonight. I need to talk about something.
Jace: Will there be food involved?
Paige: When have I ever not fed you, Jace? You’re like my fourth child at this point.
Rhett: She’s got you there, bro. You’re a damn bottomless pit.
Baylee: I’ll bring somesopapillas. My mom just made them.
Maverick: Bay, keep some at home for me. Otherwise, Jace will eat them all.
Jace: Damn straight, I will.
I tell everyone to get to the house by five, then toss my phone on the passenger seat. I can only hope they take the news about me and Honey better than Cash did.
29
BEAU
“Thanks for lettingus crash at your place last night,” Maverick says as he pours some iced tea.
“Anytime.” My family has congregated at Rhett’s place as requested. “Is your power back on?”
“Yup. That sort of thing has never been a big deal, but with Leo, we need access to water.”
“Of course. Happy I could help.”
He steals a cookie off a tray. “Were you working? Did you stay at the firehouse?”
“Um. I stayed with a friend.”
He pauses with the cookie halfway to his mouth. “A friend or afriend?”
“Something like that.”
Everyone moves to the living room and crams onto Rhett’s L-shaped couch. They’re smiling and eating.
I wipe my palms on my jeans as I sit across from them. This shit’s nerve-wracking. I can’t imagine what Honey’s going through. My brothers support me, and I’m still nervous.
Jace shoves asopapillain his mouth. “This is about that thing.” He gives me a knowing look.
“What thing?” Mav asks as he reaches for the honey.
“The thing I walked in on the other day.”
Fucker. But I can’t curse because my niece and nephews are within earshot, playing at the kitchen table.
I clear my throat. “I need to give y’all a heads-up. I’m dating Honey McAllister, and I wanted you to know in case Trig finds out.” There. Done.
Everyone freezes. Rhett has a drink halfway to his mouth. Mav pauses mid-chew. Baylee’s eyes bulge.
Suddenly, Paige claps her hands. “I knew it!”
Baylee nods and holds out her hand. “Pay up.”
