Page 54 of Keep Me Close

“‘Friends’ would probably be overstating the relationship,” Cheyenne says with a sigh.

I snort. “Funny. I feel the same way about Zane.”

Our gazes meet, and her expression softens.

A familiar voice cuts through the crowd. “Well, well, well… look who it is.”

I turn and do a double take as my family makes their way toward us. I wasn’t expecting to see Mom, Dad, Colby, and Britt here tonight.

A grin spreads across my face. I love my family and don’t get to see them nearly enough.

“What are you all doing here?” I ask.

Mom is the first to reach me, her arms wrapping around me in a hug. Dad hangs back, already taking stock of the room as Colby grins.

“Surprise,” my older brother says by way of greeting, slapping my back. “Just thought we’d crash your Railers event.”

“The real surprise is that you made it past security,” I shoot back.

He scoffs. “Seems like they let just anyone into these things. Not like my team. Your ugly mug would never make it through the door.”

“Fuck off,” I say with a laugh. “We both know I’m the better-looking brother.”

“Language,” Mom interjects.

Colby smacks the back of my head. “Yeah, language, dumbass. Don’t embarrass the McNichols name.”

“I was talking to both of you,” Mom says with a shake of her head, even though the corners of her mouth twitch.

Dad slips an arm around her waist before kissing the top of her head. “Want me to put them in time-out, babe?”

Her smile grows. “You might have to if they can’t behave themselves.”

Cheyenne’s still tucked against my side, and I’m suddenly hyperaware of that fact when my mother’s gaze lands on her.

Mom’s eyes brighten. “Well, this is certainly an unexpected surprise. Cheyenne, honey, you look beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Chey says.

Mom’s attention bounces between the two of us with curiosity. “Are you two here together?”

The question hangs in the air as Cheyenne glances at me, the answer sticking for half a second longer than it should. Before either of us can respond, Britt grins, saving us both from further interrogation.

“Would you mind coming with me to the bathroom?” she asks her sister, one hand resting on her belly. “Pretty sure this baby is sitting directly on my bladder.”

Cheyenne chuckles. “Sure.”

With that, she slips from my side, moving toward her sister. It only takes a moment before I notice the absence of her warmth and miss her hand on my arm.

I have to fight the urge to track her through the crowd, as if I’ve suddenly forgotten how to stand here on my own.

Chey glances back to meet my gaze as Britt loops an arm through hers, steering her away. The emerald silk sways with every step she takes, and more than one guy turns to watch them go. The possessiveness rising within me isn’t in any way normal.

Dad follows my line of sight before looking back at me. “We had no idea Cheyenne would be here with you.” With a tilt of his head, he assesses me carefully. “Nice shiner, by the way. Did that happen on the ice?”

Mom frowns. “Hockey is such a brutal sport.”

“No,” I mutter, hoping there won’t be more questions. “It didn’t.”