Page 18 of Rebel Secrets (Devils Hockey #3)

Chapter Twelve

Two-ish weeks before the wedding

E rin

“I’m really not sure this is a good idea.”

Standing in a corner of the great room in the Lawrence house with Rain, I couldn’t understand why I felt like I wanted to jump out of my skin.

“What? Dancing lessons? Trust me, you want Reb to have lessons. The man might not look like he weighs a lot, but he’s solid. You do not want him to step on your feet. Besides, I thought you were getting along better since you spent time together.”

Rain didn’t look at me when she said that, but I knew she was asking for details. She had her eyes on Brian, who stood across the room talking to Rebel. I’d been studiously avoiding looking at Rebel. I was afraid if I started, I wouldn’t want to stop. Which was ridiculous.

Except I didn’t know what to tell Rain that wouldn’t make her give me that look.

The one that expected even more answers than I was ready to give.

Or really had any idea how to give. Rebel seemed to have gotten over his dislike of me, but that had brought up some weird reactions. Like my brain telling me Rebel was hot.

Which was the worst thing for me to think. First, no, that wasn’t happening. Second, he was Rain’s brother. And third, he didn’t like me.

Except, maybe he did now? Ugh, who knew with Rebel. The guy was so damn hard to read. Although, he had smiled at me…

I grimaced. “Sorry. I’ve just got a lot on my mind. I don’t even know why I said that. Just ignore me.”

Of course, that meant Rain did the opposite. She turned to look at me, gaze narrowed and brain running at full speed.

“Did something happen between you and Reb?”

“No!” Whoa, take it down a notch. “No, nothing happened. There are just a lot of moving parts happening right now. I want everything to be wonderful for Tressy, and I don’t want to let anyone down.”

“Are you worried about not having enough help? You know the Angels will be more than happy?—”

“I know. And so many of them are already pitching in. No, it’s just me being me.”

Rain tapped me on the arm. “Well, stop. Worrying, I mean. Not being you. You’re fine. Seriously. And I have a feeling you’re going to show us all up on the dance floor.”

I had made the mistake of telling Rain I’d had ballroom dance lessons in prep. And I’d told her I’d enjoyed them. At the time, I had. It’d been an easy gym credit, and I hadn’t had to compete. I’d just had to move. And yeah, I’d been good at it.

“I haven’t danced in years, so I don’t think I’m going to be that good.”

“Well, you’ll be better than that crew,” she pointed across the floor at her brothers and Brian, who were standing in a circle across the floor.

We were waiting for Tressy and her sister and Tressy’s business partner Jen to arrive.

Tressy had let us know they were running a little late.

Jen had hit traffic on her drive from New York City, where she and their other partner, Leon, ran their talent agency.

“You’re telling me none of them can dance? I’ve seen Brian on the ice. The man has moves.”

Rain laughed, her smile widening and her gaze going back to her boyfriend. “That’s true. But my brothers… not so much.”

My attention caught on Rebel again. He had one shoulder propped against the wall, his mouth curved in what passed for a smile from him.

He wasn’t speaking at the moment, his gaze focused on Rowdy and then Rocky, the youngest of the Lawrences.

I’d met Rocky a few times, but he’d been at college for most of the time I’d lived here.

He returned for a few weeks in the summer, but he mainly stayed at his parents’ place.

He looked a lot like Rowdy, with the same eyes and mouth, but his hair was dark and cut shorter.

He still looked like a kid, and since he was barely twenty-one, I guess he was.

He wasn’t as broad as Rebel, but he had Rebel’s build, which made him a little taller than Rowdy.

Standing together like they were, there was no way you could mistake those guys for anyone other than brothers.

But it was Rebel who held my attention. He always seemed just a little more put together than the rest. He was wearing pants instead of jeans.

His dark hair was a little longer than normal, but still not as long as any of the other guys.

He must get it cut every other week to keep it perfect like that. And it did suit him perfectly.

Even his stubble was perfectly trimmed.

It just wasn’t fair.

Right now, I felt like an absolute mess.

I’d had to hurry over here from the bakery and, since it was warm outside, I was flushed and a little sweaty in places I didn’t want to be sweaty.

I’d stopped off at my apartment to take a quick shower so I didn’t embarrass myself, but my hair had decided today was the day humidity had won the battle.

I’d braided it, but individual strands had escaped and were reaching for the sky like seedlings in search of the sun.

Ooh, Granddad would slash that out of a story with a red pen so fast. And why had I thought a sundress would be a good idea? Yes, it was hot outside, but now I was a little cool, and I hadn’t thought to bring a little sweater and?—

“Oh, good.” Rain sighed. “Tressy’s here. I thought I was going to have to break into my parents’ liquor cabinet to keep the guys from revolting. And that would not have been a good thing. Let’s go say hi.”

Rain headed for the other side of the room to greet her soon-to-be-sisters-in-law. Did Tressy’s sister count as a sister-in-law to Rain? Or just in-law? Not that it would matter. The Lawrence’s considered everyone family.

Raffi was hugging Bebe, Tressy’s mom, while Tressy’s sister, Tiffany, hugged Rain then Rowdy then Raffi and Rocky. Except where was?—

“You look like you wanna run.”

I gasped and my head swiveled to find Rebel standing next to me, staring across the room at all the commotion.

“What the hell, Rebel? Where did you come from?”

He didn’t answer either of my questions. “I’ll make a distraction if you want to save yourself.”

It took me a second to realize he was teasing because there wasn’t a hint of humor on his face, and he still wasn’t looking at me. My lips twitched, after I got over the shock, but I was determined not to break first. Even though I had to bite my tongue for a second.

“We could both slip out the back,” I said. “I wouldn’t want you to suffer in my place. Besides, I’m not the one dreading this.”

My nose scrunched. Maybe that came out a little too sharp. He turned to look at me.

“Why do you think I’m dreading this?”

His steady gaze made my temperature spike.

Definitely not feeling that chill at all anymore.

I’m sure my cheeks had turned bright red.

His gaze dropped for several seconds before rising back to meet mine.

And while his expression hadn’t changed, I swore his eyes got darker.

They were already a velvety brown, but now they seemed like liquid dark chocolate.

My mouth dried, and my skin prickled like I was close to a lightning strike.

Except he was the lightning.

No, no, no.

This couldn’t be happening. This wasn’t happening.

“I…”

What had he asked me? I couldn’t remember.

I looked up at him with my lips parted and my brain spinning and my gaze glued to his.

Somehow, I’d managed to wind up with my back pressed against the wall, hands spread out behind me.

And Rebel had moved to stand in front of me, blocking out the rest of the room.

I could still hear everyone else talking, but I couldn’t make out any words.

All I heard was my brain telling me to move closer.

Just a little closer and you can touch him.

Shit, I needed to breathe.

I sucked in a breath, which made Rebel’s eyes narrow for a split second before he took a step back.

“I think we’re going to start. We should probably go join everyone else.”

I blinked, my brain trying to reset. “Okay. Sure.”

But he didn’t move right away, and I thought, oh my god, does he want to kiss me ?

Then he shifted to the side and waved me in front of him. I got my feet moving and made it across the room without totally embarrassing myself.

Rain gave me a look as I stopped next to her, but I smiled and turned to face Ms. Patricia.

The fifty-something former Alvin Ailey dancer had been born and raised in St. David before leaving for New York to join the dance company.

She’d returned almost a decade ago and had opened her dance studio.

Now she taught all ages, from toddlers to adults.

And apparently, she gave ballroom dance lessons for wedding couples.

“All right, everyone.” The instructor clapped once then raised long elegant hands into the air. “Please stand with your partner so I can see what I’m dealing with.”

Patricia walked back and forth, long gauzy skirt swaying around her legs, dance shoes on her feet and a Minnie Mouse t-shirt, as everyone paired off. Even the Colonel and Miss Raffi had joined the class.

I swallowed as Rebel slid into place beside me, so close I felt the heat radiating off his body. I had the urge to close the gap between us to soak up a little of that warmth.

“All right, now everyone face-to-face.”

“She could give my pop a run as a drill sergeant.”

Rebel’s unexpected comment startled me and made me laugh at the same time.

I glanced up at him as we turned to face each other.

“I heard she’s wonderful with children.”

“Rebel. Do you need something?”

Rebel’s gaze slowly left mine. “No, Ms. Patricia. I’m good.”

“You most certainly are not. Stand up straight, dear. No slouching on the dance floor.”

Rebel straightened like he’d had a rod shoved up his back. Now he towered over me, and I had to tilt my head back to look at him.

“Hmm.” Patricia stopped next to us, tapping a finger against her cheek as she looked us up and down. “You’re wearing heels for the wedding, aren’t you, Erin?”

Right now, I was wearing my trusty Chucks. “Yes.”