Page 89 of Forbidden Kisses

Griffin burst out laughing, pointing at Wyatt. "And you didn't catch on until now?"

Knox stared at Wyatt.

"What do you mean, catch on?" Wyatt looked around the table. “Everyone else knew?”

"Obviously," I said.

"Some of the ideas he comes up with are outlandish," Chase informed him.

I was usually the tactless one in the group, but Chase gave me a good run for my money.

While everyone pitched in with ideas, I took out my phone, looking up nearby locations for camping.

“What's that?" Griffin asked, leaning over and glancing at my phone. "Why are you looking up camping?"

I immediately turned the phone face down. "That's none of your business."

"You’re finally taking Jeremy camping?” Wyatt asked.

“Maybe. Riley also mentioned that she’s into it.”

There was silence among my brothers, and then Griffin fist-pumped the air.

"Man, I did not see this coming," Wyatt said.

"Yep," Knox replied. "I called it."

"Yeah, but you were the only one with insider information," Griffin said.

Knox shrugged. "It's not my fault that the rest of you aren't creative."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

Wyatt put both elbows on the table, looking at me intently. "We would really like to meet Riley. So would Dad."

“She’ll be there at our water polo match,” I informed them.

We played once a year, at the pool near my condo building. It was fun. I expected this year to be no different.

“Excellent. I was betting on that,” Griffin said.

"You all talked about this?" I asked.

"No," Wyatt replied. "That's not our style. I actually thought that these bozos were making this out to be more than it is. But you’re the most unpredictable of us Sterlings.”

I opened my mouth.

He shook his head. "That wasn't up for discussion."

Chase was looking straight at me.

"I like surprising her,” I said. “I want to do something she’ll enjoy."

"So this, between the two of you, is serious?" Chase asked.

"It's the most serious I've ever been about a woman.” Saying that felt insanely good.

"Holy shit," Griffin exclaimed. "Does Jeremy know?"