Page 20

This is either the best idea I’ve ever had or a really freaking stupid one.

I’m chasing after a tiny woman who has way better cardio conditioning than I do as we zig-zag down whatever this mountain is.

I couldn’t sleep last night, my brothers' words replaying over and over. “ Build a strong foundation, one built on trust and mutual understanding. If it grows into more from there, let it ride. ” He’s right.

How you start any kind of relationship makes a huge difference in how it plays out.

With Nikki, it was that “instant lust” kind of thing. We didn’t have that slow, get to know each other period that we should have. I found myself doing a lot of things she liked, even if I hated them, just so we could spend time together.

I guess that should have been red flag number one, she never wanted to do anything I liked.

But she always had to be the best dressed at all the soccer functions, especially the end of the year galas.

I couldn’t tell you what her favorite color was, but I could tell you what fashion designer made the bag she had with her each day.

Or the thread counts on the sheets she brought with us anytime we traveled, because “hotel sheets dry out her skin.”

I guess that’s why it wasn’t that hard for River to convince her to attempt to ruin my career.

He promised he’d take care of her in my absence.

She loved the way we looked together, the soccer player and the ballerina.

Wonder if she thought her plans would end up with a restraining order and being kicked out of school.

Dr. Williams is right, though. I’ve let these two keep me from relationships of all kinds for long enough.

Abby needs a safe space to release some of her control, and I need a safe space to try to build a relationship.

If all this goes how I want it to, friendship won’t be the last stop on this train.

With the sun now high enough that we don’t have to run with the flashlights on our phones, we take in our surroundings.

It’s beautiful here, the foliage is something we don’t get in Florida.

Sure, we have palm trees, but not towering trees like this, lush and full of life.

Abby grinds to a halt, and I almost run into the back of her, before I start to look around for the danger I’m convinced is near.

Her nose rises in the air, crinkling as she takes a big inhale.

I follow suit, and then at the same time, we look at each other and say, “Coffee.”

Sure enough, right by the mouth of the trail is a tiny coffee hut.

It’s forty degrees out, and Abby is asking the barista if she can make cold brew.

She doesn’t hesitate to say yes. Abby orders her usual Apple-y concoction for herself, then one for Hannah and Greyson.

I order my hot, black coffee in the largest size they have and ask if they have a drink carrier.

If she’s got three iced coffees, one of them is going to end up in my hand, and I am not big on that idea.

Once our drinks are secured, we continue our walk back to the cabin, talking about anything and everything.

It’s not something I’m used to, but it’s nice.

I usually listen while someone else talks, but with Abby, I find myself actively engaged in conversation.

It comes surprisingly easy when we’re not at each other's throats. I’m starting to think maybe she’s a bit more like me than either of us would care to admit.

Her hatred for me started when I hurt Hannah’s feelings.

She was protecting her friend like I was protecting my brother.

The difference between the two of them, though, is that Hannah can’t hold a grudge to save her life; Abby apparently can .

Here though, she doesn’t seem to be maintaining that same attitude.

I’m getting the side of her she gives everyone else—the happy, bubbly side.

I can’t deny there’s something magnetizing about it, a sense of peace settles something inside me.

Like her allowing me to see this version of her is somehow telling me I’m worthy of it.

We turn the corner as she tells me about the time her oldest brother tried to kick a soccer ball through one of those training nets, and instead of getting anywhere near the goal, it hit her dad who was on a ladder putting up Christmas lights.

I let out a chuckle because I had a net like that when I was younger and ended up knocking Greyson into the pool doing the very same thing. My mom was not happy.

“Well, this is a sight I never thought I’d see.” A sharp, deep voice cuts through the bubble we created.

Reed is on the porch, leaning against the banister by the stairs with his hands shoved in the pocket of his Hawks sweatshirt, his hair is pulled up in that obnoxious man bun he and Monroe have going on. “Hi, Mav,” she says shyly.

My head snaps toward her so fast I might need a neck alignment.

Mav? Nope. No sirree. Don’t like that at all.

My brows slam together as I try to remember a single time she’s ever called him anything other than Reed.

I glance at the man in question, who is sporting a smile like this is totally normal. Maybe it is, and maybe I just hate it.

“Where’d you two disappear to?” His tone borders on curiosity while still holding his protective edge.

“Tater tot here decided he wanted to roleplay as Tom and Jerry, so he chased me through the forest in the dark.” A choked laugh comes from behind Reed. Monroe’s head comes into view as he takes a sip of whatever is in his mug.

“A little early for some dark romance shenanigans, don’t you think?” Monroe says with a glint in his eyes. I watch as she pieces it together, her eyes widen, and both guys laugh as a flush travels up her chest and neck. And my God, pink might be my new favorite color.

“That is not what I meant,” she says as she walks up the steps, brushing between them.

“Now I’m glad we didn’t get you coffee.” She sticks her tongue out before pushing the door open and disappearing inside.

The soft click snaps me out of my trance, and I realize I’m now in front of her personal firing squad.

Reed steps down from the stairs, coming to a stop right in front of me. He’s got maybe two inches on me, but he’s built like a freaking wall. “You hurt her, I’ll kill you. I don’t care that you’re Wilder’s brother.”

I nod. “There’s nothing there. She tried to go run alone, figured you’d all hang me by my balls if you knew that I knew and didn’t accompany her.”

“Good call, baby Wilder!” Monroe says a little too cheerily for this early in the morning. “We’d have tanned your hide for sure.”

Reed looks at his teammate like he’s from another planet before he smacks him in the back of the head. “Where do you come up with this stuff?” He shakes his head as Monore laughs.

I side step the two of them and head inside, where I know my hot cup of coffee is waiting for me, when I hear his answer, “We're in the south, gotta be hip on the lingo.” What did I do to deserve this ?

I push the door open only to be met by a fiery redhead as soon as I walk inside.

“You didn’t think to tell me Abby was trying to run away before I freaked out at 6 AM trying to find her?

” How is this my fault? I look over her head at my brother, who simply shrugs.

He knows better than to get between Hannah and her quest for answers.

“Listen,” I say, holding my hands up in surrender. “I heard her moving around out here at 4:30 this morning. I came to see what was happening, and she was about to go run. Outside, in the dark, alone.”

I pause for dramatic effect, like the two of them do all the time.

“Figured you’d kill me if I let her do that, so I went with her.

Got a nice six miles up and down a mountain before 8 AM.

” I take a sip of my coffee as I watch Hannah chew on what I just said.

I can feel the daggers Abby is shooting my way, but I ignore them.

Hannah turns on her heel to face her friend, finger pointing accusingly.

Yup, pissed Hannah has entered the chat.

“You were going to go run, in the dark, in a place you’ve never been before by yourself?

!” she shrieks. Abby’s eyes shoot to me, I hide my smile behind my cup as I bring it to my lips.

“Have you learned nothing from the serial killer documentaries we used to watch?!” Hannah’s hands fly as she scolds Abby.

What better time to stir the pot a bit more? “You know, Han. That’s exactly what I told her.” She looks over her shoulder and smiles at me.

“Thank you.” She turns back to Abby, “See, one of you has some common sense.” This causes my brother to snort out a laugh. Abby’s eyes narrow on me, and if looks could kill, I’d drop dead r ight where I’m standing. Let’s put this control thing to the test, shall we?

“She wasn’t even going to tell anyone she was leaving.” It’s at that moment that confetti cannons filled with hot pink, teal, and white dick shaped confetti go off. The kitchen is covered with it. There had to be at least six canisters that went off at the same time.

Hannah yelps, Greyson all but tackles her, shielding her from the perceived threat with his body.

I startle, spilling coffee over my hand.

The hiss that leaves me has Abby slowly turning her head in my direction.

Her resulting smile and her lack of reaction tell me she knew this was here. The little minx.

“Surprise!” Monroe calls from behind the couch. He winks at Abby, and she gives him a nod in return. I knew it, and if I know them, this is just the beginning.