Page 38 of Rebel Secrets (Devils Hockey #3)

Chapter Twenty-Four

E rin

I’d survived the past two nights in my parents’ home. I’d survived the bachelorette party.

And so far, I hadn’t broken my jaw gritting my teeth.

Everyone was just so damn polite. Mom treated me like I was made of glass.

Everyone at the bachelor party had acted like I was crazy to have wanted to leave all of this behind and open a bakery and a bookstore in some backwater town in Pennsylvania, of all places.

One woman had actually asked if I was talking about the plot of a movie.

A few of the women at the bachelorette party had given me fake smiles and said how sorry they were about my failed engagement. The one that had ended five years ago. I’d managed not to roll my eyes and had asked about their children.

Sue me for being petty, but none of them had kids and I knew it. They’d looked highly offended that I would even think they looked like they’d been pregnant and made a fast retreat. My sister, who’d been standing by my side, had actually seemed impressed and given me a slight smile.

I’d seen my dad for a grand total of fifteen minutes so far.

He was in the midst of a huge European deal and had stayed in the city until last night.

He’d arrived home after I’d gone to bed, and he’d been in his office when I got up.

He’d given me a distracted kiss on the cheek and a pat on the back when he’d come out for coffee a little while ago.

I’d made it to Friday, and Rebel would be here soon.

Butterflies danced in my stomach, but they were giant butterflies with huge wings, and I think they’d moved into my lungs, as well. It was hard to breathe.

And now, I was alone in the kitchen with my mom, staring at each other in the kitchen, holding mugs of tea.

“I never really asked how you like it in St. David,” she said. “Are you happy there?”

Since she sounded sincerely interested, I didn’t overthink my answer. I didn’t have to.

“I love it there. It feels like home.”

My mom’s expression didn’t change. “I’m not surprised. It seems like the right place for you.”

Now, I was flustered. And a little pissy, which I didn’t like.

“Really? Then why do you constantly make me feel like I should move home? Like you think I can’t survive on my own?”

She actually looked puzzled. “That’s never been my intention. I don’t know why you would think that. I certainly don’t think that.”

“Well, I definitely get that feeling whenever we talk about it. So maybe we shouldn’t.”

I didn’t want to do this now. Not when Rebel would be here any minute.

But my mom had a different idea. “Erin. I realize we don’t have the best of relationships, but I have never thought you incapable of taking care of yourself.

I simply think you take on too much at once.

Your brother and sister are more focused.

” She held up a hand to stop the words that wanted to rush out of my mouth.

“And that’s not a slight against you. Don’t jump to conclusions.

Do I wish you had stayed in New York? Of course, I do.

What parent doesn’t want their children close to them? But you left. And you never came back.”

My brain chewed through that information like a paper shredder.

“My fiancé dumped me a week before our wedding. Everyone kept asking me what’d happened, what did I do.

Like it was my fault he didn’t want to marry me.

I needed a fresh start. I rebuilt my life and started a business.

I didn’t do that to punish you. I couldn’t stay here and have everyone look at me like I was some pitiful creature.

I saw an opportunity to get away, and I took it. ”

“We understood why you wanted to leave. However, when months and then years passed and you didn’t come back, we all felt like you’d turned your back on your family. That doesn’t mean I’m not proud of you, Erin. I am. But you don’t seem to know that.”

Since she’d never said that to me before, I got this warm, fuzzy feeling in my chest that I didn’t necessarily associate with my mom. My bottom lip tried to quiver a little.

There were so many things I could have said to that. I could’ve been angry or upset. But she wasn’t wrong. I hadn’t known they were proud of me. I did now only because she’d just told me.

I nodded and smiled, because that’s all I could do. “Thank you, Mom. It’s nice to hear.”

“You’re welcome.” And we went back to staring at each other until she said, “You should probably go put on your dress. Your brother and sister will meet us at the chapel. I’ll have to drag your father away from his office in half an hour so we can get there on time.”

Just then, the doorbell rang, and I froze. I wanted to run to the door and throw my arms around Rebel’s neck and hold him close. I wanted him to tell me he’d missed me. I wanted?—

“Just friends, you said.” My mom’s voice held a hint of amusement, as if she knew exactly what I was thinking.

I wondered if she’d be impressed if I told her we were friends with benefits. I’m not even sure she’d know what that meant.

I nodded. “Just friends.”

Her head tilted to the side, and I definitely saw amusement flicker in her eyes. “Mmm hmm. I’ll be sure to tell anyone who asks.”

Since I didn’t have a response to the fact that my mom seemed to have made a joke, I got my feet moving and flung open the front door.

I had to suck in air so I didn’t pass out.

“Rebel. I’m so…happy you’re here.”

That was absolutely not what I wanted to say. I wanted to tell him he looked good enough to eat. I wanted him to grab me and kiss me. I just wanted him.

His gaze traveled from my head to my toes, just as I realized I was still wearing my silk robe. My hair and makeup were done, but I hadn’t put on my dress yet. Instinctively, I reached for the lapels and pulled them together.

His lips quirked in a sexy grin. “You look beautiful. But I hope you’re not wearing that to the wedding. I might have to defend your honor.”

I smiled then laughed. I was just so damn happy to see him. Coupled with the days I’d spent avoiding him during camp, I felt like I’d been deprived of him for way too long.

I wanted to stand here and stare at him all day. But we had a wedding to go to. And we both needed to change.

“Come in. I just need to put on my dress, and we can leave for the church.”

He walked into the house, glancing around at the grand entrance, a garment bag over his shoulder.

“Hello again, Mr. Lawrence.”

My mom appeared at my side, startling me as she reached out to shake Rebel’s hand.

“How are you, Mrs. Wright?”

“Honestly, I’m ready for the reception so I can have a drink.” Her dry humor made Rebel smile and surprised the hell out of me. “Why don’t you and Erin go upstairs to change. We need to leave for the church in half an hour.”

Rebel looked back at me. “Lead the way.”

My nerves made a return, twisting my stomach in a knot.

This was really happening. Rebel was here and would be my date for the wedding. I couldn’t wait to show him off. And it wasn’t because my ex was going to be there.

My ex and I hadn’t talked since I’d left New York City and moved to St. David.

Most people probably thought he was the reason I’d stayed away.

And maybe that had been one of the reasons, at first. But I’d stayed because I’d grown to love the small town and the people who lived there. One, in particular.

I tilted my chin toward the staircase.

“Just up to the second floor. You can use the guest room.”

Turning, I hurried up the stairs, knowing he followed, knowing my mom watched from below. I was lucky I didn’t trip.

The second we turned the corner to head down the hallway, Rebel wrapped his hand around my upper arm. I stopped as a zip of electricity shot through my blood.

“Hey, you okay?”

I wanted to melt into his arms and press my cheek against his chest, but it would mess up my makeup. His voice, so rough and deep, lit tiny fires low in my body.

“I’m fine.”

I wanted to add, “Now that you’re here,” but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I couldn’t be that vulnerable. Not until I knew why he’d agreed to come. And I couldn’t bring myself to ask him that. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know the answer.

What if it wasn’t the answer I wanted to hear?

“Then let’s do this.”

He sounded so sure of himself, so confident. I really didn’t want to go to the wedding, but I also couldn’t wait to arrive with him. The other women would drool over him. And if they didn’t, they were blind or stupid.

“Thank you.”

His eyes glinted. “You can thank me later.”

It got hard to breathe. I knew how he wanted to be thanked. And I had absolutely no qualms about giving him what he wanted.

“Now go get dressed before I mess up that lipstick.”

It was such a male thing to say. I swear if he smacked my ass when I turned around to go to my room, I might spontaneously orgasm. I should return my feminist card now.

The man made a sound low in his throat. “If you keep looking at me like that, it’s not going to be just your lipstick that’s messed up.”

Delighted, I smiled and batted my eyes at him. I wanted to flirt with him. I wanted him to know that I was flirting with him. “Is that a promise?”

He stared down at me with a look I couldn’t decipher. I felt like he wanted to say something but then thought better of it.

“Yes. It is. Now go.”

I grinned, happiness spreading like alcohol through my blood and making me tipsy. I flashed him what I hoped was a flirty look then turned and headed for my door, which was only a few feet down the hall.

“I’ll be waiting,” I heard him say just before I disappeared into my room.

The confidence I’d had when I’d walked out of my bedroom in my Chanel dress and heels had slowly seeped away.

Rebel had been waiting for me in the hall, leaning against the wall, looking like he’d walked out of a magazine ad. With his hair combed and his beard tightly trimmed, the man could pass for a movie star.