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"Fuck, are you pissed off about the day, too? At the risk of sounding like a real prick, I don't know if I can take on anyone else's shit today."
Grayson let out a low chuckle. "Yeah, Harrison texted me. Sorry, man. How's Amara taking it?"
Truthfully, Gray had come a long way. He was a surrogate brother to Amara, and the fact he was so cool with us being together considering I'd knocked her up shocked the shit out of me. I guess it helped that he'd gotten to know me really well over the past year. He knew how much I loved Amara, how dedicated I was to her.
That was also probably why he wasn't trying to kill me right now for going through with this whole Lexi deal. It was risky with Amara's heart. She was sensitive right now, filled with hormones that could easily have her doubting me or questioning what was happening with Lexi. I had to tread carefully, even if she said she was okay with it. It'd help to have Grayson on my side. So far, he seemed to be.
I laid back on my board, letting my feet dangle into the water below and rested my arm across my eyes, shielding me from the sun. "She seems to be taking it better than I am. I'm a fucking mess, and she's incredible, sending me good luck texts and being crazy strong and levelheaded. I keep waiting for her to break down or ask me not to go through with it or something, but she doesn't. I've known she was my person since the day I met her. It can't be easy for her to go through with this, but she's doing it for me, so I get to live out my dream."
Grayson splashed some water across his body. "Amara has always been independent and strong. I knew whoever finally caught her eye would have to be a force to be reckoned with, and I was right. I know she respects the hell out of you for your ambition. She's the exact same way. Just don't hurt her, and you'll be fine." That last line came out a little grittier than the rest, but I knew he meant well.
I glanced over at Harrison, who was about to catch a swell headed our way. "Gray, I want to ask you something important." I sat up on my board and turned toward him.
He pushed his sunglasses up on top of his head so he could look me in the eye. "What's up, Easton?"
I blew out a breath. "I want to marry Amara. I can't imagine living my life without her, but her dad's an idiot and ruined their relationship. She doesn't want anything to do with him. So, as her surrogate brother, you're like her next closest family member."
He stared at me a minute, considering. "I never thought about it, but yeah, I guess you're right."
"I want to ask your permission or blessing or whatever to ask her to marry me." I'd been thinking for months I wanted to make Amara my wife. Every passing day watching her grow our child inside of her belly just made me want it more. I didn't know if she'd say yes, and I didn't know exactly when I'd ask, but I figured getting permission was an excellent first step. After the way this afternoon had gone, I needed something good.
"Buddy, I wouldn't stand in the way of you two. My sister is disgustingly in love with Zen like to the point that being in the same room with them makes me want to vomit, and from what I've seen, you and Amara might be even worse. So, you've got it. My blessing, that is."
My chest swelled, and I wanted to yell, to cheer, to jump up and down, and to hug Grayson, but I was floating on my surfboard in the Pacific ocean. I couldn't do any of that stuff, so I let a huge smile spread across my face and took a deep breath instead, letting the sun warm me and wash away the shittiness of the day. I'd replaced it with something warm and positive instead.
Just as I opened my eyes, the water shifted around me as Harrison paddled back out to us and settled in next to me. I don't know why, but I felt a sense of unease wash over me. I looked over at Harrison, who avoided my gaze as if the surface of the water was so exciting he couldn't possibly look away.
"Harrison… what's up with you?" I asked, not sure if I really wanted the answer. His body language was all over the place, uncomfortable and nervous. Harrison hardly ever got nervous. He was the embodiment of cocky swagger and unrelenting British charm.
"Mate, I got a call a few minutes ago while I was on the beach…" He rubbed the back of his neck, still refusing to meet my eyes.
"Okay. That's not exactly unusual. Your phone vibrates almost nonstop." I had no idea what he was getting at, but I was one hundred percent sure I wouldn't like whatever it was.
"Right, well, this was from one of my contacts over at CNT."
"That huge gossip blog?"
He nodded. "Someone just sold them a story, and they contacted me to give me a chance to buy it before they ran it."
"What kind of story?" I didn't know why the fuck he was making me drag this out of him.
"About you and Amara… and the baby." He finally met my gaze, his eyes filled with sympathy.
All I saw was red. "What the fuck? The only people who know about her are our close friends and family that I know would never say anything and Lexi. She just found out today, but she doesn't specifically know Amara or who she is." My fists were clenched, and my protective instincts had sparked to life.
"Fuck. Who do we need to kill? None of our friends would do this. Could it be Amara's parents?" Gray asked.
I shook my head. "Not a chance. They're too embarrassed by her and the fact that she's with me and having a baby. They'd never want it to get out because their friends would judge them about it."
Grayson scoffed. "What the fuck kind of parents act like that?"
"A solid question but one for another time." I turned back to Harrison. "What can we do? Can we find out who sold the story?" My mind raced, compiling a to-do list a mile long to fix this before it got out of hand.
He held up his hand. "Whoa, breathe, mate. I'll handle this. Despite how you feel about me after today, I do have your best interests at heart. Give me the afternoon to find out who sold it. When I got the call, I took care of buying the story back, so it's not getting out."
I exhaled and squeezed my eyes shut, rubbing my temples. "Okay, that's good. Will you text me later and let me know what you find? I'm going home."
He nodded. "You've got it."
