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Mila Rose hugs me next. She’s the shyer one.
“What are y’all doin’ here so early?” I ask when they return to the couch.
“Daddy brought us to see Mommy and Papa,” Mila Rose responds.
“And eat cakes and sausage!” Maddy adds.
“Love that idea,” I say with a smile, then give my dad and mom a hug.
As I make my way into the dining room, I see a table full of ranch hands stuffing their faces.
“Y’all look like shit.” I snicker at their hungover expressions. Riley, Diesel, Luke, and Payton look like they didn’t sleep a wink after the big wedding last night.
Instead of someone spitting out a smart-ass comment, they whisper amongst themselves.
“What’s goin’ on?” my mom appears next to me and asks them. “Y’all are actin’ suspicious.”
I keep my lips tight. No doubt they know what happened to Grayson last night. Quickly, I glance around the room to see if he’s around and breathe a sigh of relief that he’s not.
Before someone can respond, my uncles come barreling in and being loud as usual.
“Is it true?” Uncle Jackson asks.
“Considering I don’t see him here, I’d say so,” Uncle Alex responds.
“What happened?” my mom asks.
Diesel smirks. “Grayson went home with a chick last night, and she left him naked and tied to his bed.”
Riley laughs too, unable to contain himself. Meanwhile, my parents and uncles look shocked.
“Who was he with?” my mom asks.
Riley’s and Diesel’s eyes move to me. Fuck.
“Don’t look at me,” I say defensively, crossing my arms. “I wouldn’t willingly go within six feet of Grayson, nevertheless naked.”
My mom seems to buy it and shrugs before going back to the twins. My dad and uncles go to the breakfast buffet, leaving me to find Maize in the kitchen.
“What did you do?” she snaps as soon as we’re alone. “Gavin told me this morning, and Grayson claims it was you.” Not that I’m surprised it’s already spreading around, but I’m curious who untied him.
“Payback’s a bitch,” I reply, grabbing a muffin from the tray. “He had it comin’.”
“Mackenzie Rose!” she hisses. “Mama and Dad are gonna find out it was you, ya know? And when they do…”
“I’m twenty-seven,” I cut her off. “They won’t do anything.”
Maize shakes her head in disapproval. “When you gonna tell me what he did to you? Then maybe I could take your side…” She glances at me as she stirs a pot of soup.
“Never.”
Or anyone, for that matter.
It’s too humiliating.
My stomach growls, and I excuse myself to the buffet for the reason I came—crepes and bacon. Just as everyone goes quiet, I feel someone behind me and stiffen.
“You may have wanted revenge, but you just started a war, sweetheart.” Grayson’s voice is so low, only I can hear him. His breath blows against my ear as he invades my personal space. “I’m gonna get you back for that little stunt.”
I roll my eyes and spin around. “Grow up.”
His eyes narrow into slits, but he keeps his mouth shut. I can practically see the steam billowing out of his ears.
“I had to call Ethan to come help me. Hope you’re happy I had to bother the groom to cut me loose.”
I smirk, then pat him on the chest. “Guess we’re even now…”
Grayson grabs my wrist and squeezes. “Far from it, darlin’.”
Glancing down, I see the rope burns on his wrists, and for a split second, I feel bad. Then I remember what started all this and swallow down that guilt.
“Whatever,” I hiss, yanking my arm from his grip. “Good luck with that.”
Taking my plate, I walk over to where my parents are sitting with Gavin and the twins.
“What was that about?” my dad asks.
“Nothing. Just Grayson gettin’ on my nerves, per usual,” I say casually, avoiding his gaze.
I take my empty plate to the dish tub, then play with the girls for a bit. Once they’ve gotten tired, I say my goodbyes and walk to my SUV.
“Kenzie,” Grayson shouts, and I blow out a frustrated breath.
Ignoring him, I open my door, but before I can slide in, he’s at my side, slamming it shut.
“That was almost my finger!” I scowl.
“I need my keys since you stole my goddamn truck.” He holds out his hand with an intense glare.
Digging them out of my bag, I say, “Steal is a pretty strong word.”
“You took it, so what would you call it?” he asks as I hand them over.
“Borrowed. Maybe that’ll teach you not to get so drunk you can’t drive your ass home,” I reply smugly. “You should be thanking me, considering you could’ve killed yourself.”
Instead of dismissing me as I expect, he closes the gap between us. I jump slightly at the unexpected closeness as my back presses against my SUV.
“Why don’t we figure this out like adults and fuck out our frustrations? Or hell, just tell me what your goddamn problem is.” His mouth is close to mine, and I curse my traitorous body for wanting him to move just half an inch closer and kiss me.
