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An icy shiver rolled down my back.What the fuck was that supposed to mean?My feet stumbled on the gravel as I distanced myself from Bootsy. I recalled Mabel’s story and how Bootsy’s family might somehow be woven into the King–Sullivan feud.
I lifted my chin. “If there’s nothing you need, then it’s best you leave.”
After he turned his back to me and hurried across the lawn toward the main road, I sagged and exhaled in relief.
What the actual fuck was that?
Suddenly the shadows cast from the trees were ominous and frightening. I leaned down to pat Ed’s head. He was still growling at Bootsy’s retreating shadow. “Good boy. You did good.”
I pulled Duke’s shirt tighter and moved as quickly as my feet would carry me toward the house and up the porch steps. Once inside the door, I slammed the dead bolt locked. My breaths sawed in and out of me.
Indecision gnawed at me. I didn’t want to ruin Duke’s well-deserved night out if it was nothing more than Bootsy being a little confused. Still, the thought of being alone in the house all night held even less appeal.
I chewed my lip and settled on a less-embarrassing option three.
Pulling up my contacts, I scrolled until I selected the numbers I was looking for.
Hi. It’s Sylvie. Wondering if anyone is free since the guys are all out tonight?
Lark
Funny you should ask. We are ALL free. We wanted to invite you out but Duke insisted that you had a date with the bathtub. He made us promise we wouldn’t bug you so we planned to get snacks and come knocking anyway!
Kate
The guys are surprising Duke with a dad-chelor party tonight so he was already going to be mad.
What in the world is a dad-chelor party?
Annie
You know, like a bachelor party but for being a dad. They’re going to get him drunk, make him do embarrassing bar games, and generally haze him even though they’re all secretly jealous. It was Lee’s ridiculous brainchild.
Oh my god... he’s going to absolutely hate that.
Annie
I know! Isn’t it great?
Lark
Wyatt promised they’d go easy on him, but I’m pretty sure it’s the first time he’s ever lied to my face.
I didn’t want to call, but that bubble bath never happened. I had a weird encounter with Bootsy at the farm and it kind of freaked me out. I didn’t want to say anything to Duke because you know him—he’d fly off the handle and insist on coming home.
Annie
Bootsy was at the house??
Lark
We’re already on the way.
Kate
Girls night in, here we come!
I smiled at my phone, my nerves already easing at the prospect of not being alone. I scrolled back up and read the textthread again. Even though Duke had tried to protect my relaxing night in, they’d planned to gather snacks and spend their free evening withme.
