Page 138 of Double Dare
“Bye!” Gar shouts.
Gar and I stare at the door for a few seconds, letting the dust settle. Then he bursts out laughing.
“Did you just fucking bitch slap her?”
I shake out my red palm, laughing at how ridiculous that was. I can’t even believe I did that!
“First time for everything,” I laugh. “Oh my god, that hurt worse than a punch. My palm is on fire!”
Leaning back, I set the pen down and let out a slow breath. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face if I tried! I look at Gar, beaming and trying not to cry.
“Lakes,” Gar grips my shoulders, “how fucking happy are you right now?”
“Well, I hate your girlfriend.”
“Ex-girlfriend.”
“But! She pushed me into doing this, so maybe I should thank her for ruining my business,” I laugh.
Gar laughs, pulling me up into a hug. I just signed a contract with the wildlife rehabilitation facility in Lowell Point, and now I’m a part of their team. Not only will they promote my work, but a portion of all my sales will go towards funding their work. I feel damn good about it. My new business page has been doing really well since my rebranding, and today is my first official day as a photographer with a cause.
“So proud of you, Lakes,” Gar says, beaming a smile back at me. “When are you telling those two assholes about this form?” He points to the second form I just signed. “They’re going to kill me for knowing before them.”
“Probably, but I have an idea for them.” I smirk, feeling diabolical. “Wanna help me plan it?”
It took us a few days, and we involved Rayne and Corbin in our plans, but we managed to set up a whole surprise and get all ten of the Dare boys and their partners over for dinner. As I sit around this massive and growing dinner table with this rowdy family that has somehow become mine, I can’t help but smile and laugh at all their ridiculousness.
“He thinks it’s some sort of challenge,” Freya complains at the table.
“What?” Hardin shrugs. “I’m pretty sure I can double knock her up. Irish twins, hello?”
Rayne shakes her head at Hardin. “You’re the smartest one of them all, baby, but shit, you’re dumb sometimes.”
“He ain’t dumb. He’s brilliant.” Zahn sits down. “Damn good game to play.”
“It is possible, Hardin,” Genevieve says, setting down her wineglass. “Irish twins are an unlikely but possible outcome.”
“See?” Hardin shouts. “Gen knows!”
“Don’t give him any more incentive, Genny. I looked at Freya this morning and he almost tore my head off,” Kade scoffs.
“He’s a sensitive bastard. Daddy mode is kicking in,” Dom agrees.
“Protective,” Hardin corrects them all.
“I think it’s hot,” Freya admits. “He’s going to be a good dad.”
As the banter flies about what kind of dad Hardin is going to be, Rayne looks at me to ask if I’m ready. Might as well get this over with. I timed everything just right, and if we stall any longer and let the Dares get distracted by their dicks, my big reveal will be ruined.
“Alright!” Rayne shouts, shutting everyone up. “We got some news from the residency board today about Laken’s application.”
All eyes turn to me. Kade and Jed are looking straight through me, trying to find the answers in my head.
“Lake?” Jed asks. “Fuck.” Panic.
“No,” Kade immediately assumes the worst. “No. No fucking way.”
“We’ll move to Canada.” Jed grips my hand.