Page 43 of Wild Card (Men of Action #4)

Everyone is gauging me like I’ve lost it except Rowan, who’s on the verge of laughing herself.

She gets it.

It takes a few seconds to compose myself before I can explain.

“Dad, I don’t give a shit about Joseph Wynn.

Bailing him out will make you free of him.

I’ve been rid of him for a long time. And honestly, thinking about it, this is gloriously ironic.

He humiliated me and I held on to it for way too long, living with shame and blame. ”

“Honey.” Dad’s voice is laced with compassion.

“Now all I have is gratitude because I met Talon. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

Talon may be a caveman in modern times, who is way too overprotective and bossy, but he’s everything I didn’t know I needed.

You, Chase, Bex, Lucas, Wyatt, Grandma, and Grandpa, whole new group of friends, the man of my dreams—I have an amazing life. ”

Talon’s hold tightens, his chest rumbling.

Mom sniffs, the tears returning. At first, I think she’s hurt that I didn’t mention her in my little speech of gratitude.

“This is all a Mom ever wants is for her family to be happy and healthy. Two of my children have found that life-long love.”

Shock zings through my system. Obviously, Rylee hasn’t found life-long love, considering her fiancé broke their engagement. Which means…”You know about…”

I can’t bring myself to say ‘Chase and Bex’. The sound of their sexcapade still rings in my ears.

“Your brother and Rebecca?” she finishes for me, grinning through her tears.

I notice no one seems surprised by her revelation. “Does everyone know?”

Rowan sips her wine greedily, Ford drops his chin to hide his smirk, and Dad takes an avid interest in his nails.

“You did!”

“Baby, everyone knew but you,” Talon utters.

“How did everyone know my brother is with my best friend?”

“How did you not know?” Ford teases.

“I understand you and the guys figured it out because you’re like super spy heroes trained with lethal interrogation and deductive skills. But everyone else?”

Ford’s eyes light with hilarity. “Super spy heroes? Not sure we had to dig into our training to figure this one out.”

It’s too much, thinking of my brother in love with my best friend and the fact they’re running around in secret.

Dad picks up on my inner thoughts and pins me with the ‘Dad’ glare. “Willow, your brother and Bex are waiting to hear from you. They have their reasons for keeping their relationship confidential.”

“They know I know?” I glance at Talon. ”Did you say something when you took Wyatt home?”

“Didn’t have to. Apparently, you weren’t as quiet as you thought.”

“Oh God.” I bury my head in his chest. “This is awful. Not only am I scarred for life, I interrupted them.”

“Jesus,” Dad mutters. “Some things a father doesn’t need to know.”

“Sorry.” Not sorry. He should feel my pain. “I’ll call them, Dad. Give me a few days to get home and get my thoughts together.”

Talon goes stone still. “You are home.”

Mom’s eyes bug out. “I didn’t realize you moved in here.”

“I didn’t.”

“Last Friday,” Talon says at the same time.

My attempt to lunge out of his hold doesn’t get me far before he twists me back to his side. “I didn’t move in,” I reiterate.

“How long have you two been together, exactly?” Mom directs her question to Talon.

“Does it matter?” His brazen tone is loaded with challenge.

“It’s very soon?—”

“Stacy, now’s not the time.” Dad cuts her off.

“Sterling, I am trying to figure out?—”

“Not the time,” he repeats forcefully.

She snaps her mouth shut.

“How about a refill?” Rowan offers, trying to break the tension.

“You have any bourbon?” Dad asks, settling into a barstool.

“I’ll take one of those,” Talon tells Ford, who is already at the liquor cabinet.

With everyone occupied, I turn to face Talon and narrow my eyes. “I did not move in with you.”

His lips curl with a one-sided grin.

“I didn’t!”

“I’m the love of your life and the man of your dreams.”

Me and my big mouth.

“I take it back.”

His grin widens. “No backtracking. And I’ll give you a few days to let it sink in.”

“What does that mean?”

He shakes his head, the blue of his irises twinkling. “Uh-uh. Not getting into that right now with a room full of people. Taking baby steps.”

“You’re seriously saying I need baby steps?” I practically snarl.

“Careful, Princess. Keep it up and see what happens.”

My stomach churns for a new reason as desire coils low. I want to push him, knowing it always works out in my favor. But a little nagging in my brain reminds me my parents are near.

“I hate you,” I say with absolutely no conviction.

“That’s too bad because I love you, and in about an hour, I plan to show you how much.”

Damn him! Now I’m a puddle of goo.

Wolf pounces to his feet, barking wildly right before there’s a knock at my door. Grandma comes from down the hall; Grandpa doesn’t move from his spot on the sofa, watching the television that didn’t need replacing.

“Someone’s at the door,” he announces casually.

“You don’t say. Is that what that loud knock was?”

“Aren’t you going to answer it?”

“You’re closer.”

“My hip is bothering me.”

Suspicion prickles up my spine. “You’re lying.”

He shrugs as another knock sounds. Wolf is hopping in circles, about to have a doggy fit. I’m a few feet from the door when it dawns on me. “You didn’t!” I hiss.

“Open the door, Willow,” Grandma commands sternly.

This is the last thing I need today. It’s taken more than a few days to get my thoughts together over Chase’s relationship with Bex. My brain swirls with questions about the whole situation. Cleaning out the townhome has been a distraction until today.

Because today my brain space is locked on a bigger issue.

Meeting the parents.

Mark and April Simms are headed into town and staying in the same house I’m temporarily ‘residing’. My nerves have been shot.

And now there’s another drama lurking on my doorstep.

I suck in a breath, mentally preparing as I swing it open. Chase stands there with his arm draped around Bex. My heart stops at the pure anguish on her face.

She meets my gaze and her eyes mist over.

When I glance at him, his expression is pure anger. “It’s been four fucking days. You refuse to acknowledge our calls and texts. She’s fucking hurting. Are you happy with yourself?”

My own anger and indignance dissolve as guilt takes their place. “Bex?”

“I’m sorry we hid our relationship. It was my fault. I begged Chase to give it time, see if it would stick. He pushed me to open up, but I was scared. In the back of my mind, I knew if we didn’t work out, there was a lot at risk. Your family, Wyatt… your friendship is too precious to jeopardize.”

A throaty growl rumbles from Chase’s throat and she gives him a teary smile.

It’s then I notice the love shining in my brother’s eyes. He stares at her with possessive tenderness and adoration. A few months ago, I wouldn’t have recognized the obvious emotions. But now, it’s everywhere I turn.

He’s totally in love with my best friend.

And she feels the same.

Everyone is right. How did I miss this?

Have they been hiding because of me?

A lump lodges in my throat and I lunge forward, wrapping my arms around her. She folds into me, returning the tight embrace, and whispers, “We didn’t mean for you to find out that way.”

“I certainly hope not,” I whisper back, knowing my grandparents don’t need to hear the gritty details of my discovery.

They seem to think I figured it out on my own.

Chase kisses the top of my head. “Love you, Squeak.”

That’s about the extent of the apology he’ll offer. I’ll take it.

He pulls Bex from my hold and ushers us both inside. Grandma is sitting on the arm of the sofa, holding Grandpa’s hand with a beaming smile. Sneaky woman.

“This place looks better.” He motions around my living room.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a week since I drove up on Joseph at my door and the events afterward. We’ve been busy cataloging everything damaged and ruined.”

“I would have helped you.” The hurt in Bex’s voice returns.

“There was no need for you to miss work, too. I already put the team in a bind, having to juggle my patient load.”

“You shouldn’t have had to do it alone.”

“Alone?” I scoff, covering my heart theatrically. “What is this alone you mention? I don’t even know the meaning of the word. I have babysitters… ahem, friends and family with me every minute Talon’s working.”

My attempt to humorize the situation backfires, and Bex’s expression turns pained. Chase’s eyes flicker with the same.

“I’m a bitch.”

They both tense.

“I’m the one who is sorry. My life has been topsy-turvy, but that is no excuse.

The truth is, I was shocked when I learned you two were together.

It was happening right before my eyes and I was ignorant.

Everyone knew, even Mom. The shock wore off and my wounded pride settled in.

Many times, I’ve picked up the phone to call or message, but I didn’t know what to say. ”

“That’s why we stepped in, Willow. We knew you were struggling,” Grandma says softly. “Now is the time to get your answers and move on.”

“How long? When?” I blurt out.

“It surprised us, too. We’ve always been friends, but things evolved.” Bex glances at Chase anxiously.

“Things changed after you and Joseph broke up. Bex and I were worried about you and pissed at the situation. Spending time together led to more.” He takes her hand.

“The situation with Joseph happened over a year ago. Why hide?”

“That was all me. Like I said, there was a lot at risk. You and Wyatt being the most important.”

Many things dawn on me at once. “Oh my God! All those times you begged me to go out, you weren’t on the prowl.”

Bex grins shyly.

“No, she wasn’t,” Chase grunts.

“All our dinners, lunches, outings with Wyatt—you two have been together!”

Then another doozy slams into my memory. “That night at Tom’s… with Talon…the kiss… You told my brother.”

Bex shakes her head. “Not until much later. We still have a best friend code.”

“Okay, one more question. How did Mom know?”

“She most likely figured it out before I cut her off.” Chase’s assumption would mean Mom has known for a while.

“You deserve an award for Best Acting Performance.”

“Yeah, an award,” Chase grumbles. “Let’s not go there.”

“Is it alright, Wills?” Bex asks with returning uncertainty.

“I didn’t see it coming and may have acted a little selfish. Now I can’t think of anything more amazing. My gross brother and my beauty queen best friend make a picture-perfect couple.”

Relief and joy wash over her features and she leans into him. “He’s not that gross.”

“Thanks, babe.” He rolls his eyes. “Glad to know I’m not disgusting.”

“Added bonus, he has a precious little boy.”

“Yeah, it’s a package deal. Speaking of, where Is Wyatt?”

“He’s with Dad and Talon.”

“Talon’s at work.”

“Yeah, Dad took Wyatt up there to show him around the station. We have time. Put us to work.”

I glance around, gesturing to the boxes and bags. “We’ve mostly gotten it all. That is the last of the trash.”

“How much did Rylee destroy?”

His question shouldn’t shock me, but it does. “How’d you know?”

He cocks his eyebrow and shoots me his ‘are you shitting me’ look.

“Do you also know about paying Joseph? And she blames me for her downfalls?”

His stare doesn’t waver.

“Of course, you know all this. Dad is also using it to cover all the damage she caused as well as Wolf’s veterinary bills.”

“As it should be,” Bex snaps. “She should go to jail.”

“She still may. We cataloged the items she took and the amount she destroyed. Altogether, it’s worth about fifteen thousand.”

“Fuck,” Chase hisses. “I thought she took a few handbags and knick-knacks.”

“Dad made me log everything. She wrecked the main living areas, but it was my stuff she damaged. My bedding, toiletries, make-up, etc. I discovered she stole the jewelry Joseph gifted me. I’d put it away, not wanting a reminder of him.

When we got in here on Tuesday, Talon had a list of things for me to inventory. The jewelry is gone.”

“And all that equaled fifteen K?”

“Well,” I leer sadly at a box on top. “She destroyed a lot of my clothes.”

Bex gasps, dropping Chase’s hand and yanking me into her. She understands I’m not saddened by the loss of my scrubs. “Your Lulu!”

“My Lulu,” I confirm.

“Am I missing something?”

“Honey, I’ll explain later. But for now, just mourn the loss of Will’s only retail obsession.” Bex talks gently with sympathy.

“No need to dwell, we will go on a replacement mission. You’ll have a new collection in no time.”

I smile at my grandma’s cheery optimism.

“Well, at least Talon doesn’t have too much to move.”

I swing my head to my brother. “What did you say?”

“Considering you’re moving in, there’s not too much to haul over there.”

“I am not moving in with him.”

A quietness settles in the room, and my grandma is the first to break it with a muffled laugh.

“Squeak,” my brother’s eyes light with hilarity, “you know how you were the last to know about Bex and me? Don’t be clueless.”

“I’m not moving in with him.”

Bex vibrates against me. “Willow, it’s already happened. You’re meeting his parents this weekend. Stop fighting it.”

“Well, shit.” Apparently, I am the last to know.