Page 103 of Truck Me
“I don’t know if I should believe you.”
“No, seriously.” She pleads. “I really was kidding. You know, just messing around.”
I step to the side of the long hallway to let others pass us by. Crossing my arms over my chest, I stare down at her. She bounces nervously on her feet.
“Okay, fine, but no picking on me when I lose. You know I hate crowds.”
She leaps forward and wraps her arms around my center. It catches me off guard and I stiffen. But as she hugs me tighter, I relax. I could get used to hugs like this. I just hope I still get them after I drop the bomb on her family.
I don’t know when I’m going to tell them, but it has to be soon. Things are getting serious with Charlotte, and I can’t keep a secret like this from her for long. It’s just not right.
I pull my phone from my back pocket and group text my brothers. Ash responds right away.
“Alright. Let’s go.” I ruffle Rayne’s hair and start down the long hallway. “Ash says to meet him at the ring toss. He’ll win you all the prizes you want.”
“Yay!” Rayne claps her hands and runs past me. Even with my long legs, I have to walk double-time to keep up with her. As soon as Ash comes into sight, she squeals.
She leaps at him and hugs his waist, same as she did me. It makes me smile. I love that she’s so close to my family. I hope it stays that way for years to come, no matter what happens.
Blood or not, Rayne will always be mine.
* * *
As soon as I see her standing behind the table, smiling at a customer, I relax. All the noise fades into the background, and I only see her. What I wouldn’t do to walk up to her, pull her into my arms, and kiss her?
Maybe one day soon.
Rayne rushes past me with her arms full of all the prizes my brothers helped her win.
“Aunt Char! Look!” she cries out above the low rumble of the crowd.
Charlotte’s eyes snap up, and she smiles when she sees Rayne running toward her. Her eyes shift to mine and that gorgeous smile of hers grows. There’s a glint in her eyes that speaks volumes. It’s more than want and need and desire. Charlotte is genuinely happy to see me.
“I wondered when I was going to see you two. I was beginning to worry you were a no show.”
“Are you kidding?” Rayne says. “We had to play all the games. Ash had to help me win though.” She drops her voice to a whisper. “Garret isn’t that good.”
Charlotte chuckles as she brushes Rayne’s long dark hair out of her face. “You don’t say.”
“I don’t get out much,” I say in my defense.
Charlotte looks up at me, nothing but happiness in her gaze. “Sounds like we need to change that.”
“I like home.” I grumble. “I don’t need—”
“Char,” a deep baritone voice says from right behind me. I turn around to see a dark-haired stranger in a very expensive suit standing next to me. He’s got an air of sophistication about him that says he’s not from around here. I instantly dislike him.
“Brad!” Charlotte gasps. “What are you doing here?”
My hands ball into fists as I look him up and down. This is the asshole that cheated on her? I puff out my chest, ready to defend what is mine.
“I need to talk to you.” He takes a step closer to the table. The urge to shove him back is strong, but I resist. “Your parents told me I could find you here.”
Charlotte frowns. “You spoke to my parents?”
He steps even closer and rests his hand on her shoulder. My nostrils flare.
“I stopped by the house first,” he says.