Page 65 of One Hot Rumor

My mother shakes her head at me. "Nicholas Timothy Hunter, you ruddy fool. We know you didn't give up on university because your girlfriend got a leg over with Rick. You did it because you were never that keen on school. You're a clever boy, but some people just aren't meant for the academic life."

"You're spot on, Pippa," my father says. "But Nick insisted he wanted to go to university, so we let him do it."

I groan. "Yes, I know I'm not as clever as Rick."

"That's bollocks," my brother announces loudly. "Nick, you got high marks in all your classes. Your academic record was better than mine."

"No, you're only trying to make me feel better. It's all right. I haven't spent my entire life feeling worthless, not because of you and not because I dropped out of uni. So there's no need to bolster my ego."

Mum gives me a stern, motherly look. "Nicholas Timothy Hunter, you listen to me. You did better at school than your brother. Do you think I'd lie about that?"

Of course she wouldn't. Mum is always honest with us. Besides, the fact she called me by my full name twice means she is serious about this.

I got better marks than Richard. Blimey.

Dad is giving me a stern, fatherly look. "For the record, we don't think less of you because you never finished your degree. How many people can start a business from scratch and not only make a go of it, but turn it into a successful venture? You've run your day spa for more than a decade, and it's still going strong. We're very proud of you, Nick."

My throat has gotten tight, and my eyes feel… No, I'm not getting choked up because my father said he's proud of me. That would be stupid.

But my eyes have gotten watery.

Siobhan folds her arms around my neck and kisses my cheek. Then she whispers to me, "It's okay to get emotional in front of your family. I'll still want to get naked with you later. Nothing in the world could make me not want to be with you, with or without clothes."

Maybe I was wondering if she'd want me less after this. But only a little. And not anymore.

I slip my arms around Siobhan and speak to everyone. "It's that rumor Georgina Prescott started that made me feel…uncertain. If everyone is willing to believe I'd prostitute myself or turn my business into a brothel, then they'd believe almost anything. But spending some time in America has helped me see that it doesn't matter what anyone says. I'm proud of the business I built and the life I've made for myself."

"You should be proud, Nick," Richard says. "We're all bloody proud of you, for sure."

"Of course we are," Dad says. "Couldn't be prouder, son."

Mum leaps up to plant a kiss on my cheek. "I'm the luckiest woman on earth to have two sons who have made me so proud."

I roll my eyes. "If you lot say the word proud again, it'll start to sound like gibberish."

But yes, I'm only being snarky to hide the fact I'm getting a bit choked up again.

Maddie whispers something to Rick, and he nods. They both stand up.

Rick clears his throat. "It's time for Nick's surprise. The American Wives Club are waiting for us in Cockshire."

We all climb into my parents' car and travel to the town that has been my home for more than a decade. Rick drove, and he parks the car a full block away from the spa and on a side street that has no view of the building.

"Why did you park here?" I ask my brother as we get out of the car. "There must be spots available on the other street."

He claps a hand on my shoulder. "You need the exercise, mate."

Right. Because I look like an overweight couch potato, don't I?

I imagine our side approach to the spa is part of the surprise those nosy American women have cooked up for me.

After I've helped Siobhan out of the car, Rick hands me a handkerchief. "Fold this up and tie it over your eyes."

"It's pink. Afraid that color doesn't suit my complexion. Now, if you've got a mauve one…"

"Just do what I said, you cheeky arse."

"This handkerchief must belong to the lovely Madeleine," I say as I fold up the fabric. "Unless you have a softer side I've never seen before, Rick."