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“Yeah, sure.” He shrugs. “No problem.”
“I thought Harvey only liked Snow?” Afton questions.
“He’s all right with me.” Brick smirks. “See you in the morning. I might as well come since you’ll just box food up for the house, anyway. Might as well get it while it’s hot.”
“Anytime, man. Bring Linc and Skye if you want,” I tell him. “Stella can swim and all that.”
“Sounds good.” After Brick and Ariel say their goodbyes, they head on home.
“Snow, you okay?” Silas asks.
“Am I crazy?” She wraps her arms around her middle, almost like a hug. Her eyes are red-rimmed. Has she been crying?
“No, sweetheart, you’re not,” I assure her. “I believe you. We believe you.”
I don’t want to say it yet, but I think Scott is Ben. I’m not positive, and I want to be absolutely sure before I bring it up, but when London introduced us, the guy pulled his hat lower so I couldn’t see his face. And that struck me as odd. Not just odd, but like a person who’s trying to hide something.
I should probably share my thoughts with the guys just so they can be on the lookout. But Snow? I’m not going to put her through that.
How would Ben and London know each other? And why would Ben be here doing this to London?
I need to stop. I should wait for the test results before I start going off the deep end.
Afton taps my arm. “Shane?”
Making eye contact, I rub the back of my neck. “Yep, sorry. Off in La-La Land.”
Afton brushes my arm in reassurance. “Silas took Snow to the truck. He sent Axel and Oscar to come box all this up for you and take it to the bar—whatever that means.”
I point down the street. “Beau is Skye’s brother, and he owns the bar in town. Later in the week, he’ll have a Trunk or Treat in his parking lot for the local kids.”
“Oh, that’s awesome,” he says as we fall in step and head for the truck.
“Yeah, we all try to help out where we can.”
“What do we do now?” Afton asks, stuffing his hands in his pockets.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “But Snow needs our love and support.”
“And all of us will give it to her,” Silas says in a resolute tone.
“Let’s head home.” I jump into the driver’s side as Afton helps Snow into the back seat, with Silas taking the passenger seat. Axel is in his truck, following.
“Shane, can we bake when we get home?” Snow asks.
“Lady after my own heart.” Silas chuckles, and she hangs her head to cover a smile, her hair falling in a curtain around her face.
“Just looking out for you.”
Silas grins. “I appreciate ya, darlin’.”
“Do we know what you want to bake?” I ask. “Aren’t you all baked out?”
“Okay, maybe not so much baking but cooking,” Snow amends, lifting one shoulder. “We didn’t eat today because of the commotion I caused. I know you’re not mad. But I’m hungry, and I know the Thunder Twins are hungry, and Afton, too. We could just do a simple grilling. We can make mashed potatoes and a salad. Whip up that homemade dressing. Some peaches and corn on the grill.”
“Did she just say grilled peaches?” Afton asks.
Silas pats his stomach. “Yes, with ice cream for dessert.”
“I like this,” I utter, “but instead of mashed potatoes, let’s just do baked potatoes. I can make them on the grill. I know it’s not five-star, but it’s simple.”
“I like simple,” Afton agrees.
“Afton, will you help Snow get the dressing and salad? Silas, corn and peaches. Tell Axel to grab the beers. I’ll get the steaks and plates, with the silverware.”
“Sounds good. Oscar will be with him,” Silas reminds me.
“That’s cool.” I put the truck in park, switch off the engine, and we all hop to it.
A relaxing meal is perfect.
