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“Talk about what? Alyssa?”
“Yes,” Palmer, Ramsey, Jade, and Kennedy say all at once.
“What about her? Is something wrong?”
“Yes,” they all say again in unison.
“Okay, you all are freaking me out with the togetherness of your replies,” Archer tells them.
“What’s wrong with her? She was acting fine,” I tell them. I sit up a little straighter in my chair, giving them my full attention. Whatever it is, I’ll fix it for her. That’s what I do.
They share a look before all eyes turn back to me. “Okay, so there’s nothing wrong with her.” Palmer looks concerned.
“She’s fine,” Ramsey adds.
“It’s okay, Sterling.” Kennedy reaches over from her spot next to me, where she’s sitting on Declan’s lap, and places her hand on my arm. “Breathe.”
“You can’t tell me there’s something wrong with her just to get my attention.” There’s more bite to my words than I intended, but my heart rate is out of rhythm from the panic rising inside my chest.
“He’s right,” Brooks tells them.
“I’m sorry,” Palmer speaks up. “I was just teasing. What I was going to say before you went white as a ghost is that what’s wrong with her is that she’s still single.”
“Seriously?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest. “You scared the hell out of me,” I scold. My tone is much nicer, and my breathing is more regulated than before. “And the fact that she’s single isn’t a flaw,” I bite out.
“That’s not what we meant,” Ramsey says gently. “We were kind of hoping you could take care of that issue for her.”
“What?” I know I heard her wrong. How in the hell can I take care of her relationship status? Does she want me to hook Alyssa up with someone? Yeah, no, that’s not going to happen. No way do I want to be a part of that. What happens if he breaks her heart? Then it’s my fault. Nope. No way.
“You could help her out with the whole being single thing,” Palmer clarifies.
“I’m not setting her up with someone.” I leave no room for negotiation in my stance on the matter in my tone.
“I have to use the restroom. I think I’m going to call it a night.” Jordyn stands from her spot on Ryder’s lap. “Thank you all for today. I’ll see you in the morning.” She waves politely and starts to walk away, but my brother reaches out and laces his fingers through hers.
“I’m throwing in the towel too. Who’s on breakfast duty?” he asks.
“We are,” Orrin tells him. “All weekend.”
Ryder nods. “Text me when it’s time,” he says, and turns and leads Jordyn into the house.
“I’m sorry,” Ramsey and Palmer say at the same time.
I nod in acceptance, but I don’t bother with words. “I’m heading in too.” Alyssa has not come back out yet, so maybe she’s thinking the same thing.
“It’s getting late.” Kennedy stands. “Sterling, will you walk with me to the house?” she asks.
“I’ll take you.” Declan starts to stand, but his wife waves her hand.
“Sterling can walk with me. I’m going to shower before bed.”
“Are you sure?” Declan asks.
“Positive. Just come in when you’re ready. Enjoy time with your family.” She smiles at him with so much love in her eyes, I can feel it coming off them in waves.
Kennedy links her arm through mine, and we walk away. Her steps are slow, and I know she’s taking her sweet time because she has something to say. “You can say it,” I tell her. “Whatever it is you’ve got on your mind, you can say it.”
“They love you. We love you,” she corrects.
