Page 63 of From Grumpy to Forever

My youngest brother laughed and held his hands up. “Simmer down, big guy. I’m only repeating what I’ve heard.”

“Ohh, this sounds good.” Brody leaned forward. “What have you heard?”

I elbowed him in the ribs—hard. “Who’s talking about us?” I demanded.

“Everyone,” Preston said to me before turning to Brody. “Turns out things got a little hot and heavy the other day on the front lawn of the inn.”

Fuck.

“In broad daylight, too,” Preston continued. “Looks like our boy here can’t keep his hands off his new bride. I heard it was quite the show.”

My face heated, my fists clenched, and I’d already taken a step toward him before Grayson stopped me.

“No,” he said simply. “You are not doing this in the middle of the festival.”

I turned to face my twin, ready to take him out to get to our baby brother if necessary.

“It’s not his fault,” Grayson said calmly. “Everyone’s talking about it. I heard it, too.”

“What?”

Ethan nodded, but Brody shrugged. “It was new to me,” he said. “But damn, brother. Avery’s a hottie and all, but the front lawn?”

“Shut your fucking mouth.” I slipped from Grayson’s grasp and was inches away from Brody before two more sets of hands were on me.

Brody just laughed as Preston and Ethan wrestled me back. “Enough,” Ethan said. “What exactly is your problem today?”

I had a lot of problems. Mainly the piece of shit weasel currently living under our roof, making Avery’s life hell. But there was also the intense conflict I felt about that asshole. Because as long as he was in Trickle Creek, it meant that I got to stay married to Avery and spend every waking moment making sure that everyone knew how real our union was.

And I’d be a lying bastard if I said I wasn’t enjoying that part. Hell, I was a bastard either way.

“Nothing.” I shook myself free from their grasp.

“Right. That’s why you look like you want to punch something.”

“Or someone,” Preston added.

“Whatever.” I turned around and backhanded a cup of beer off the table.

“Damn, Reid.” Ethan glared at me. “I know it’s shitty beer, but no beer deserves that.”

“Honestly, I would have thought that a wife might have softened you a little bit,” Brody added. “But you’re still the same grumpy asshole you’ve ever been.”

I shot him a look and bit back a growl.

“Oh no,” Preston chimed in. “Our grumpy asshole brother is a big softie for his wife. I’ve seen it with my own two eyes.”

“Sounds like the entire town has seen it,” Ethan added with a laugh.

I’d had enough of these assholes and this stupid plant festival, and I was more than ready to get out of there. With a grunt, I pushed away from the table, ready to take my leave.

Grayson caught up with me before I could slip away. “Hey.” He grabbed my arm, and I spun around. My twin took a step back, both hands up. “Whoa. Your problem is not with me, man.”

He wasn’t wrong. I lowered my raised arm and mumbled an apology.

“This particularly sour mood wouldn’t have anything to do with Avery’s cousin, who’s been lurking around town, prying into things, would it?”

I blew out a breath. It was a conversation I couldn’t avoid much longer. And it was about a lot more than Avery’s asshole cousin. “What do you know?”

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