Page 14 of In Case You Didn't Know

“Then we definitely shouldn’t hook her up with a football player.” Parker grins.

“You were a football player,” I point out.

He lifts a brow. “Exactly.”

Autumn’s phone starts to buzz, and I send a prayer of thanks up to the god of single ladies for interrupting this conversation. “Sorry, I better take this,” she says. “It’s Asher.”

I retract my prayer quickly, trying not to blush at the mention of his name. Oh, I’m going to have to see him at the party. That’s not going to be fun.

“Hey,” she says, after she swipes to accept the call. “What’s up? I’m with Parker and Francie.”

Whatever he says next, I’ve no idea, but I try to keep my expression neutral as Autumn continues her conversation with her brother, oblivious to the fact that the last time I saw him I was dressed in pink unicorn pajamas and he told me I was barred from a sex club.

I’ll never tell her about that. Of course I won’t.

But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to see her brother again. Especially since this time I’ll be dressed like a damn Disney princess.

six

ASHER

I’m already regretting this.

Not coming to Liberty. Autumn would’ve found a way to drag me here regardless. No, what I regret is walking into the Captain’s House thinking I could survive the weekend without throwing something. Preferably my ex-business partner through a window.

The bastard has the nerve to demand more money before he’s willing to sign his half of the company over, after he was the one who got caught trying to steal from it, and trying to screw me over. My lawyer is working on it, but the entire thing feels like I’m trying to wrestle a rattlesnake into a gift box.

I rub a hand over my face and step inside the house. It smells like old wood, lemon oil, and some kind of citrus cleaner Hudson’s housekeeper has probably bulk-bought. The floors shine. Everything’s pristine, a far cry from how it looked when our father lost it in a poker game.

Hudson bought it back years ago. Restored every inch. And now it feels like home again, even if that home comes with chaos.

“You’re wearing a damn costume and that’s final!” Autumn’s voice echoes down the hallway.

I walk into the living room to find her brandishing a red velvet robe like it’s a saber, a furious expression on her face. Hudson stands across from her, arms folded like a he’s a human wall. Parker’s watching from the sofa with a grin, clearly enjoying the show. And West – because Hudson’s west coast lawyer best friend always shows up for good drama – is sipping whiskey like it’s popcorn as he watches my siblings go head to head.

“It’s not happening,” Hudson says, his voice low.

“It is.” Autumn turns and sees me. “Perfect timing. You’re wearing one too.”

I lift a brow at her welcome. It’s completely in character for our family. “Absolutely not.”

“Yes you are. For Ayda.”

“Still no.”

Autumn growls and throws a gold-trimmed crown at me. I catch it easily, turning it over in my hands like it might explode. “You’re not getting out of this,” she says.

“I’m thirty-six, not six,” I point out, keeping my voice even. “The dress-up phase is behind me.”

West looks over at Autumn, giving her a wink. “Let the cranky old men wear only the crowns. Parker and I will go full royal. Right?”

Parker shrugs, because he knows which side his bread is buttered. “I’ll even curtsy if that helps,” he promises her.

Autumn presses her lips together but accepts her partial victory. “Fine. But I get to pick the crowns.”

Hudson and I exchange a glance. His sayskill me now. Mine probably saysonly ifyou go first. Oh, and I really need some damn sleep.

I’m about to slip out of this drama and take my suitcase upstairs before she starts measuring us for sceptres when the air shifts.