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“Doubt it,” he replied, grinning evilly. “Just keep your phone handy. We’ll text and meet up somewhere in the house.”
Giggling, I pushed him toward the door. “Can’t wait. Now go. I’ll see you in a little bit.”
He disappeared into the hallway, and I sighed—a secret relationship.
Sadly, it was the only way for us to be together. At least, for now.
CHAPTER9
PEYTON
It was Christmas morning, and it was already shaping up to be the best one yet. I felt terrible for crashing in on Reagan and Braden’s first Christmas together, but they insisted. We played cards, and Reagan and I ate a whole container of peanut butter balls. It was probably why I woke up nauseated, but I pushed through it.
Reagan and I had made a whole batch of buttermilk pancakes, and I couldn’t let anything ruin that for me. I doused more syrup on my plate and closed my eyes as I swallowed the last bite of buttery, sugary goodness.
“Did you honestly think I didn’t notice you and my brother sneaking off together last night?” Reagan chimed in.
I could feel the heat rise to my cheeks, but I kept focusing on my pancakes. Braden had finished eating breakfast and was in the living room.
“Hopefully, no one else did,” I whispered, glancing over at her. “I think it’s best we keep it all under wraps. You know how the media gets. I don’t want anything to ruin what we’re trying to build.”
Reagan beamed. “Build? Sounds serious already. Then again, given how my brother’s acted this past month with you gone, I’m not shocked he wants to jump in headfirst.”
Butterflies danced around in my stomach, making me smile. “Taking things slow is kind of ridiculous considering we’ve already slept together. Behind closed doors, I want to see where this goes. But out in the open, we’re going to keep our distance. He agreed to do this with me.”
Reagan nodded. “I think it’s smart to keep your relationship a secret for now. I’m glad Ethan agreed.”
Me too.
Reagan grabbed the last strawberry on my plate and tossed it in her mouth. “Are you seeing him again before you leave?”
The doorbell rang and I grinned. “It just so happens that I am.”
I heard Ethan and Braden chatting in the living room a few minutes later.
Reagan smirked. “So, are we keeping my husband in the dark on this, or are you going to tell him about you and Ethan?”
Sheepishly, I bit my lip. “Maybe you can when I’m back in North Carolina? I can only imagine the level of shit he’s going to give Ethan, especially after the hard time Ethan gave him when you two started seeing each other.”
Shaking her head, Reagan giggled. “Fine. I’ll tell him when you’re gone.”
“Thanks,” I said, sliding out of my chair. I took my plate to the sink and rinsed it before placing it in the dishwasher.
“What are you and Ethan going to do when you leave here?” she asked, clearly knowing by the mischievous sound in her voice. My cheeks burned, and I had no doubt she could see the redness when I turned around to face her.
“Just spending time together since I leave out tomorrow. We’re using the excuse that I want to go through my things.”
Her grin widened. “Did you invite him to Christmas dinner at your parent's house tonight?” I’d thought about it. It was only going to be my parents, Reagan and Braden.
“Don’t you think it’ll make things obvious?”
Reagan shrugged. “I know you want to keep your love life hidden from the world, but this is your family, Peyton. They’ll understand and I know they won’t tell anyone. It’s not like they’ll leak the secret to the tabloids.”
“True,” I replied, already knowing that fact. “I think I’m just nervous.”
Reagan scoffed. “Please. Your mom will be thrilled. Our mothers have been plotting the union of our families ever since we were born. They got their wish when Braden and I married, and now they have another son and daughter together. They won’t be able to contain their excitement.”
We both laughed and I hugged her. “Are you just saying all this so you don’t have to tell my brother yourself?”
