Page 16 of Finally Home

Her pretty eyes twinkle with trouble, and the second she opens her mouth, trouble spills out in the form of sugar-coated shit-stirring.

“Oh, I already know Aidan,” she purrs seductively, walking her fingers up his arm where it still rests over her shoulders. “In fact, I’m very familiar with him.”

He gets a panicked look on his face, and I struggle to hold it together when his mouth gapes open like the fish he and Crew love to catch. “N-no,” he stutters, horror overtaking his shock. “You must have me confused with someone else.”

Her lusty expression cracks, and she starts giggling wildly. “I’m sorry!” she says between gasps. “I couldn’t resist. Your brother is one of my best friends, so I’ve heard all about you and Crew from him! I didn’t know you were the same Aidan that Rho was friends with though.”

Aidan’s stricken expression clears as Copeland barks out a laugh, ruffling her hair. “I like her.”

I smile like a loon when he winks at me, but I’m honestly a little shocked. Copeland is extremely mistrustful of women ever since his fiancé cheated on him with one of his old teammates. It’s been five years, and while I know he’s over her, he’s definitely not over the mountain of trust issues she left behind.

Aid snaps out of his stunned silence when Wren announces she’s going to FaceTime Wes before we go in, and he moves to stand next to her. I hear the FaceTime connection sound and then Wren says, “I just met Rhodes’s best friend! Wanna say hi?” and then she turns her phone towards Aidan.

“What the fuck little brother?” he laughs. “You’re friends with Rhodes’s bestie?”

Wesley lets out a sound that’s part laugh, part groan. “Jesus, now my poor Baby Reid has to deal with you, too? Say the word and I’ll rescue you from the heathens when we get there tomorrow, Wren.”

She giggles and waves him off, promising him she’ll call him later before she hangs up and turns back to Aidan. “I became friends with Wes like four years ago after I started working in PR for the Sirens. Your mom brings me cookies literally every time she’s in town.”

Aidan’s jaw drops in mock-outrage, and Copeland practically cackles. “She makes those cookies for you?!” he asks incredulously. “I beg her for peach cobbler cookies all the time, but she only makes them on special occasions and before she goes to see Wes. I always assumed she made them for him, but it makes so much more sense now.”

Wren groans. “I dream about those cookies, but she won’t give me the recipe. She always says she wants a reason to keep seeing me and she won’t have one if she gives up the goods.”

Crew wriggles in my arms, so I set him down and he runs up to Wren. She crouches down to his level. “Do you think we can get Grandma to make cobbler cookies since you’re here?” he whispers.

She giggles quietly. “I bet we can. How about we all get together at your Uncle Rhodes’s house for dinner tomorrow night? Uncle Wes will be there too!”

My heart races as I see her interact with Crew. She’s always been so good with kids, and they absolutely love her.

I wonder if she wants kids.

“I’ll arrange dinner stuff for tomorrow,” I tell them. “But for right now, let’s get inside so I can kick some butt on the go-kart track!”

“Remind me again why you haven’t tried to lock that girl down?” Aidan asks a few hours later.

We’re watching Wren help Crew steer his go-kart while we take a much-needed break. We’ve been playing nonstop for almost three hours, and apparently the only one who can keep up with the boundless energy of a 5-year-old is my 25-year-old best friend. They took to each other like ducks to water, and I think I may have been surpassed as the favorite if ‘Auntie Wren’s’ new nickname is anything to go by.

“You know exactly why, Aid. She’s literally days out of a terrible marriage and the last thing she needs is another big life change. What am I gonna do, huh? Casually bring up over breakfast that I’ve been in love with her since I was eighteen?”

He rolls his eyes. “I’m not saying declare your undying love, Rho. I’m tellin’ you to buck up and make a move before somebody else does.” He tilts his head to the side, and I follow his gaze to where some guy holds her attention. Crew stands next to Wren, animatedly talking to the little girl with him who looks to be about the same age.

A haze of irritation takes the reins as I stomp over to them to the tune of Aidan’s laughter and toss my arm over Wren’s shoulders, pulling her close.

“Hey baby,” I say, kissing the side of her head. “You about ready to head out?”

She looks confused but smiles at me anyway and wraps her arm around my waist. “Yeah, sure. It was nice to meet you, Colton!” she says to the guy in front of us, who’s now glowering at me.

Sorry, buddy. This one’s all mine.

CHAPTER 8

WREN

We’re in Rhodes’s SUV on our way back to his parents’ house for dinner when I finally broach his weird behavior from the fun park. “So…what was that?” I ask.

He runs a hand through his wavy hair and keeps his eyes straight ahead, clearing his throat as he answers. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“You do know what I mean, Rho. Calling me ‘baby’ and that whole possessive act? Colton was just making conversation since Crew and his daughter hit it off and he thought I was Crew’s mom.” I sigh in exasperation. “Speaking of, did Crew’s mom have to work or something today?”

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