Page 71 of Tangled Hearts

Nic flashes me a bemused grin, but he gets up and joins Beck at the grill. My running countdown until we’re allowed to tell people is sitting at three weeks, and I might actually die. Going from home to other places and having to behave myself is really hard.

“Having fun, little bestie?” Holden sits down beside me, handing me a bottle of water.

“Yeah, I am.” I give him a smile and open the cap to take a drink.

Holden hums, sitting back on the porch and turning his face to the sun. “It’s beautiful today.”

It really is. I glance at Nic to find Dad has him manning the grill. I’m not sure what they’re talking about, but they seem okay, so I turn my attention back to Uncle Hold. “It is.”

“Can you believe I have a damn brother?” he asks, giggling.

“It’s wild.” The guilt of hiding twists my stomach a little, but I’m sure it’ll be okay. At least I hope it will be. Nic seems to think we don’t have anything to worry about. “How are things goingwith you guys?”

Holden sits up, excitement flashing in his eyes. “Really good, actually. I’m so fucking glad he found me. I wish it had been sooner, but I think we’re really building a good relationship. The kids love him too. And Julian, but that man could make friends with anyone.”

“He loves them,” I say. And he does. He talks about them all the time, and he’s always wearing a smile when he comes home from visiting. I’m starting to see why he avoided me at family outings, though. It’s so much easier to stay home and not be tempted when we’re out in public.

Holden starts to say something else when Warren comes running out of the house, crying. “Duty calls.” Uncle Hold jumps up and jogs across the yard. I love Holden, but I do have to admit, I’m slightly thankful for the reprieve. At least now I can watch Nic without it being too obvious.

Nic catches my eye and winks, then goes back to his conversation with Dad.

I pull my phone out of my waistband and shoot him a text.

Me

Can’t wait to get home.

I can tell the moment he gets my message, but he doesn’t check right away. I watch him for a few more seconds.

Three more weeks. Just three more weeks of hiding. Of not being able to do more than catch stolen glances. Of not being able to climb into his arms and let him cuddle me.

An idea comes to me, and I smile to myself. No one said I had to make it aneasythree weeks. And no one said I couldn’t be a brat. In fact, Nic has said the opposite. Many times.

After putting the cap back on my drink, I go into the house, where I pass Roman. “You okay?” he asks.

“Yep. Just gotta use the bathroom.”

He nods and walks past me. There’s a little thrill burning through me—excitement but also the low thrum of arousal. Let’s be real, I’m actually fucking horny. Like all of the damn time. I was always sure I wasn’t missing anything, but I was so fucking wrong.

I slip into the bathroom, heart pounding at what I’m about to do. I’m unlocking my camera when a message comes through.

Nic

You okay, doll?

He’s so damn sweet. I walk away for five seconds and he’s already checking on me.

I’m wearing a skirt today. One of my favorites. It’s short, but long enough to cover me as long as I’m not leaning over or spreading my legs. So I open my camera app and do just that.

The angle is a little tricky, but after a few tries, I manage to get a halfway decent shot of my ass. My pink panties are clinging to my skin and you can see just the barest hint of them and the curve of my ass from under the edge of my skirt.

I attach the photo to a text, feeling quite proud of myself.

Me

Yeah. Just miss you :(

I wait for a second and smile to myself when the read receipt comes up.