Page 19 of Heartsmashed
Of course they did. Because he was standing there looking likethat, holding my hand, and spouting niceties they were eating up with a spoon.
He was perfect.
Beckett’s thumb brushed over mine again, and I looked up, letting a small smile slip through.
We had this. Well,hehad this. I was just along for the ride.
“Okay, I’m sorry, I need a second,” Rome said, pushing off the couch and heading toward us with entirely too much enthusiasm. I shot him an annoyed look, and he smirked. “What? You show up withhimand expect me not to have questions?”
“Can you save it for another time after I’ve unpacked, showered, and have a glass of wine in my hand? Thanks so much.”
“Oh, I will,” he said, far too cheerfully, a gleam in his eyes. “Sooo many questions.”
“Can’t wait.”
Hudson finally stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Beckett, measured and quiet.
“Beckett,” he said.
“Hudson. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
My brother opened his mouth, and I could practically hear the words that would come out, his telling Beckett he’d never heard a thing about him. Thank God Drew came to the rescue then, curling his arm around Hudson’s waist as he pulled him to his side and held his hand out to Beckett.
“His tie’s a little tight, don’t mind him,” he said. “I’m Drew, Hudson’s better half.”
“Questionable,” Hudson muttered, but that only had Drew grinning wider.
Beckett was unflappable, looking totally at ease and like he belonged there.
Like he belonged with me.
His hand hadn’t left mine since we’d arrived, and thank fuck for that, because all of a sudden I heard the lodge doors open again, and the vibe in the room shifted—and not in a good way.
I didn’t need to turn around to know why.
Peter had arrived.
7
BECKETT
IFELT HIM before I saw him.
It was the shift in Sawyer’s body that gave him away. He went completely, utterly still, and for a moment I wondered if he was even breathing.
I kept my eyes on him, ready to follow his lead, and it seemed his family wasn’t quite sure what to do in this situation either. His moms glanced at each other, Hudson glared past us at the entrance, and Rome’s amused smile flipped like a switch to something a lot more calculating.
“I thought the welcome party wasn’t until later,” came a deep voice. I turned to see whom it belonged to, because it wasn’t at all what I’d expected from this “Peter” I’d heard so much about.
And that was when I realized the voice didn’t belong to Peter. It belonged to the man beside him. He was older, closer to Sawyer’s parents’ age, silver lightly threaded through his jet-black hair, and he carried himself with a confidence that came from one thing—money. Alotof it.
His hand rested low at Peter’s back in a possessive way as they walked toward the group, and I didn’t miss how Sawyer’s eyes zeroed in on that small detail like it mattered more than anything else happening in the room.
That told me everything I needed to know about where he stood.
His mama, Lily, moved first, greeting the man with a double air kiss. “Alec, I’m so glad you could make it.” She stepped back and forced a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “And Peter…what a surprise.”
“Couldn’t miss your big day, Mama Lily.” Peter wrapped her in a hug that seemed to take her off guard, and I instantly formed my opinion about Sawyer’s ex.
