Page 88 of Until Nalia

“Okay, enough with the small talk, I want to know how last night was,” Harmony says, and all the girls look over at me. I’m not one who gets easily embarrassed, and I have never really been shy, but still, I feel my cheeks warm.

“It was good.” I look across the yard to Logan and like he feels my eyes on him, he looks my direction and grins.

“Just good?” Willow presses.

“Really good.”

“He fits in,” December tells me with her eyes on the guys who are all sitting near the barbeque with beers chatting with my dad and uncles who are manning the two grills they set up to feed everyone.

He does fit in, and since we got here, no one has asked him to arm wrestle or fight to the death. And the kids instantly settled in like they have been here a dozen times, then again my mom told them the moment they walked in the door to make themselves at home then proceeded to show them the pantry and all the snacks, where the drinks were and what bathrooms are on the first floor, so they wouldn’t need to go searching.

“Did it take you guys a while to get used to being so happy?” I ask, picking up my drink from the table next to me.

“I’m still not use to it,” April whispers, and all the girls nod.

“Just enjoy it,” my cousin Cobi’s wife, Hadley, says quietly as my gaze catches on Billie, who is sitting with Cat. Both the girls have kept to themselves most of the day, but I’ve noticed more than once the two of them whispering while looking over at Max and Mitchell, my cousin December’s stepsons, though she just refers to them as her boys.

“What’s that about?” Jax’s wife, Ellie, asks when Billie suddenly gets up from her towel next to the pool and tosses down her phone.

“I don’t know.” I get up and walk over to Cat, who is watching her friend walk towards the house, obviously upset.

“What happened?”

“Umm.” Cat lifts her head, her sunglasses meeting mine. “I…”

“Did something happen?” I glance down at Billie’s cell phone, and the image on the screen makes my stomach bottom out. Even only meeting Aaron once, his face is familiar enough that I recognize him immediately in the photo on what I know is a dating website.

Leaning down, I pick up her phone, then slide through the photos that were uploaded onto his dating profile.

“He had deleted it,” Cat whispers, and I take my eyes off the phone to look at her. “But he must have put it back up while he was gone over the weekend.” Oh god, I look at the house as Billie disappears inside. “Should I go talk to her?” she asks.

“I got her, honey.” I hand her Billie’s phone, then walk over to my lounger and grab my cover-up from the back of my chair.

“Is everything alright?” Willow asks as I put my cover-up on.

“Yeah,” I lie. “Do you mind keeping an eye on Zuri and Cooper?”

“Sure.”

“Thanks.” I turn and head for the house, avoiding looking at anyone as I walk through the yard. I don’t even look in Logan’s direction because I’m worried that my face will give away that something is happening.

Once I’m inside, I take off my sunglasses and glance into the kitchen, where my mom and aunts are all standing around the island.

“Did you guys see Billie come through here?” I ask as they all look at me.

“I think she went to the bathroom,” Aunt November tells me.

“Thanks.”

“Everything okay?” Mom asks.

“Yeah,” I leave them and head down the hall, stopping outside the bathroom door. “Billie.” I knock.

“Just a second,” she calls out, sounding like she’s crying, and my heart breaks.

“Can I come in?” When she doesn’t answer I push the door open and inch and peek inside. Seeing her standing in the middle of the bathroom with tissue pressed to her eyes I open the door enough to squeeze in then close it behind myself. “Hey.” I wrap my arms around her, and she starts to sob. “Oh honey, I’m so sorry.”

“You know?”