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“I don’t know. His leg is still bothering him, but I’m sure we can go for a little while.”

“Ok. It’s settled. I have a wedding dress. You have a dress to wear to the wedding, and tonight we are having a big party.” She giggled and walked to the curtain. “The bride has spoken.”

17

Cole

I tightened the straps on my leg brace. The crutches leaned against the bed. I had agreed to go tonight, but I’d rather spend the night with Kaitlyn. We needed a night at home as a family.

“What’s wrong, pretty girl?” I pulled himself up from the bed, and arranged the crutches for support. I was fucking done with these things.

Her cheeks flushed “Nothing. I’m ready. Are you?”

I eyed her. Something was up. “You sure? Want to cancel?”

Her eyes widened. “What? No. We have to go.”

“We don’t have to do anything.” My eyes lowered to her tits. I had been out of commission too long. All I wanted was to spend the night with her.

“It will be fun,” she explained.

“All right. But if Polly texts me for anything, I’m out.”

She nodded. “I know. I’m going to tell Grayson good night.”

I gave Polly instructions, kissed my son, and opened the door for Kaitlyn.

Mary Ellen was waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs. She had walked over from the Dunes.

“Hey, girl. Hey, Cole.”

“Hey.” Kaitlyn hugged her when she reached the sand. “Ready to meet cowboys?”

The fire was roaring by the time we met the crowd. There weren’t as many people as we usually had in the summer, but it was during the week and people had jobs and school.

Sasha and Cal were standing near the coolers. “Carolina!” Cal shouted and headed in our direction.

“Cal, this is my friend, Mary Ellen. We were roommates in college,” Kaitlyn introduced the group.

He grinned. “Oh yeah, Sasha made me invite all my friends for you. Welcome to our little beach party.”

Mary Ellen giggled. “Thanks for the party. Ok, point out your hottest friends.”

Cal looked at me. I shrugged. The girl was on a mission.

She surveyed the crowd in front of us. A small group was gathered around the speaker and another was pouring drinks into red cups.

Mary Ellen tapped Cal on the shoulder. “Who is he?” She nodded across the fire.

“Who invited that son of a bitch?” I started around the circle.

“Cole, wait.” Kaitlyn tried to hold me back, but I was ready to confront Aiden.

Mary Ellen looked at Kaitlyn. “What’s going on? Who is that guy?”

“Trouble.”

“Wait. Is that the uncle?” she asked.