Page 82 of Burning Skies
Rhett and Mav reach for their wallets while Jace frowns. “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this bet? I would’ve cleaned up.”
Baylee laughs. “You were out of town or doing a show or something.”
Paige points at me. “That’s why you were in the dressing room with Honey. You weren’t looking for an earring. You were smooching.”
“Guilty as charged. Sorry I fibbed. Wasn’t ready to share it.”
Rhett leans forward, his eyes squinty. “Is this why you were chopping wood that day like a pissed off Paul Bunyan?”
That was right after Honey and I had fucked in her SUV. “Yup.”
He nods slowly. “Makes sense.” Then he turns to Jace. “How did you find out about this?”
“’Cause I nearly walked in on them doing it.”
I growl, annoyed that he’s talking about Honey this way. “We weren’t doing it. And maybe if you understood something called privacy and knocked on my damn door?—”
“Uncle Beau said ‘damn!’” Gabe shouts from the kitchen. He runs over and holds out the curse jar. I shove a dollar in it, and he trots off.
“That kid has great hearing.” I survey the expressions on everyone’s faces. “Sorry I didn’t tell y’all. This is new. Sorta.”
Paige gets a dreamy look on her face. “Is this why she used to hate you? Because she was secretly in love with you all this time?”
I stare back at her, not knowing what to say. “Um, well… we had a weird interaction several years ago, and?—”
“What did you do?” Jace asks as he shoves food in his mouth.
“That’s none of your business. I’m not here to dissect my relationship with Honey. I just want everyone to be on guard in case Trig finds out. Cash wasn’t thrilled.”
Rhett’s brows lift. “Cash knows?”
I reluctantly explain what happened this morning. Out of everyone, I’m most concerned about Rhett’s reaction. As the oldest of us, he’s had to deal with Trig and Cash’s shit more than anyone else. Plus, Cash slept with Rhett’s ex, Amber. “I’m sorry he found out before I had a chance to tell you.”
Rhett stares at the floor a moment, then nods again. “I understand.”
“Are you okay with this? With me and Honey?”
“Yeah. I mean, there’s gonna be fallout for sure. But you deserve a great girl. I’ve never had a beef with her. You’ll always have my support. You know that.”
I let out a relieved breath. “Thanks, bro. That means a lot to me.”
“But I can’t imagine Trig or her father are gonna take this news well.” He rubs his chin. “I’ll make sure to post a few more ranch hands near our house and the cabin. Just in case there’s trouble. So we can have some backup if we need it.”
“That’s a good plan.” I should’ve known I could count on Rhett.
Baylee points to herself. “I feel the need to take a little creditfor this relationship since I paired Beau and Honey for my wedding. Go me.”
Mav chuckles and kisses her. “You’re so smart.”
“I am, aren’t I?” She grins at him. “Frankly, I think I could have a future in matchmaking.” Baylee turns to Jace. “How do you feel about Rory?”
“Who?” he asks around a bite of food.
Baylee rolls her eyes. “The bridesmaid I paired you with for my wedding. She started working at my salon last year until she got certified to be a librarian. Remember?”
He shrugs. “She’s cool.” Ten bucks says he doesn’t remember.
Now that I’ve gotten all this off my chest, I’m ready to eat. I slide twosopapillasonto my plate. “Listen, Honey’s talking to her dad this week about being in the wedding. She plans to tell him about us after he’s had a minute to digest that. She doesn’t want to overwhelm him, but I’m guessing that’s gonna happen regardless.” I explain his plan to marry her off to some rich guy named Ian.
