Page 22 of Knot a Bad Idea
“Get your shit together,” I tell him, not caring how hypocritical I sound, since I’m constantly trying to get mine together. “And apologize to her.”
He cocks an eyebrow. “Apologize for what?”
“For bailing on her during her Heat. For…whateverthisis,” I motion with my hand to him. “If you ruin this for us...if you end up hurting her because of it…I’ll never fucking forgive you.”
I hate talking like this. My hands shake with rage and fear because I despise conflict. I’m usually the peacekeeper between Hunter and Donovan, deescalating what I can.
But I won’t lose April.
She understands me. Shegetsme.
And she’s granted all of us more patience than we deserve.
“The contract was a stupid idea,” I continue, venom lacing my voice. “You were too scared to actually go after her, so you looped us all into this so you wouldn’t have to face your feelings. You’re anasshole.”
I swallow.
If Donovan is taken aback, he doesn’t show it. Instead, he crosses his arms and leans against the doorway to the studio, never breaking my gaze. “We needed someone for the wedding,” he says coldly. “And for a few events before that. No one asked you to fall for her, Liam. And frankly, that’s not my problem.”
I stare at him incredulously as panic thrums through my veins. “You were there during her Heat. You helped clean her nest and prepared her food. What are youtalkingabout? You’ve been just as protective as us this whole time.”
His face is impassive and he’s still as stone.
I try one last time with him, ignoring the pounding in my heart.
“We could be a family.”
I barely murmur the words, but they’re there.
And Donovan knows the gravity of what I said.
His jaw ticks, and he opens his mouth to say something, but the front door opens.
I’m overwhelmed by the scent of warm vanilla, and I know the conversation is over.
It’s my time with April, and I plan to make the most of it.
Donovan can sulk or be distant all he wants, as long as he doesn’t ruin this for us.
And when April greets me, her eyes warm and a genuine smile on her face, my anxiety dissipates.
“A picnic?”she asks, laughing. “Really?”
“Why not?” I spread the plaid blanket on the grass and place the whisker basket on top of it. “I mean, is this okay?”
I start to doubt myself. She deserves more than a picnic.Anyonecould pack food and go to a park?—
“Liam. It’s more than okay.” She sits on the blanket cross legged and looks ahead. “This view is stunning.”
Stone County is known for being expensive, but it’s also known for having one of the best private parks in the state. The trees shoot up to the sky and surround us on all sides, and ducks tread water lazily in the lake in front of us. The sky is slightly overcast as white and grey fluffy clouds move above us.
Did I rent the place for the day? Maybe.
I didn’t even know it was possible to do that, but a generous donation to the park to fund its conservation was enough to guarantee us a few hours.
Just me and April, and no one else.
“This is one of my favorite places in the world,” I tell her, joining her on the blanket. “I come here to think, or when everything gets to be too much.”