Page 122 of The Path to Loving Him
“Nothing,” I say.
“Nope, there’s a sad look there,” Abel points out. “What is it? And don’t tell us nothing. We know you well enough to know that it’s something.”
He’s right.
I tug on the back of my neck. “I don’t know. Sometimes I think that Cassidy made the wrong decision.”
“What are you talking about?” Abel asks.
“With MacKenzie. She clearly has a special bond with Wyatt. Maybe Cassidy should have given custody to Wyatt and Aubree.”
“Wyatt wasn’t even in the picture when Cassidy was sick,” Abel says. “How would she have known he’d be coming back into our lives, let alone marry your sister?”
“Not to mention,” Hayes says, “Mac found a picture of you in our house last night, and she carried it around all night, holding it close to her chest. She also slept with it, making both Hattie and I say good night to you. She might have a special bond with Wyatt, but her bond with you is stronger. Cassidy made the right decision.”
“He’s right,” Abel says. “Cassidy always said that you were the reason she, Hattie, and Aubree turned out as normal as they did. You gave them a place of safety.”
I shake my head. “That was Cassidy.”
“Cassidy learned from you,” Abel counters, and fuck, this conversation’s too heavy for a backyard grill party—if that’s what you want to call it.
I clear my throat. “Let’s, uh, let’s not get into that.”
“No, maybe not,” Hayes says. “Maybe we talk about Gabby and what you did last night.”
“Or,” I counter, getting sick of the inquisition from my family members, “we talk about when the hell you plan on proposing to my sister. She’s a ticking time bomb, and you need to do it soon.”
Hayes glances over his shoulder and then back at us. He whispers, “I started mapping things out, but you can’t fucking say anything, not even to Wyatt. He’s a loudmouth.”
“You didn’t ask me for permission,” I say.
Hayes rolls his eyes. “Don’t need it. But I want to make it something special, so I’ll need help. I need to finalize the details first. I want it to be a total surprise.”
“When are you planning on doing this?” I ask.
“A few weeks. The ring should be done by then.”
“Shit, you got a ring?” Abel asks.
“Yes, custom.”
“Fancy,” Abel says.
“Well, keep us updated, and don’t tell Aubree or Wyatt until the last moment. Or Mac. Christ, don’t tell Mac,” I say.
“I’m not a moron, man. But you two are the only ones I’m telling, so if word gets out, your necks are on the line.”
“I won’t say shit,” I say.
Abel brings his drink to his mouth and says, “You can trust me not to say anything. I like my neck.”
Just then, Aubree walks over with her plate. She leans in, and I already know that look on her face. “I like her.”
Aubree was the impenetrable one in our family. She doesn’t like emotions. She doesn’t like touchy-feely things. She’s very much the rock and always has been.
But ever since she’s been with Wyatt, she’s changed. She’s softer. And I don’t like it, especially when she comes at me with that look that says she’s going to say something annoying to me.
“Good,” I say. “She could use more friends.”
