Page 123 of Well That Happened

“Yes,” she says flatly.

He whistles low. “Brutal.”

“Grayson?” I say, pointing at him. “Save us. You’ve got sisters.”

Grayson doesn’t even blink. “Three.”

“Okay,” I say, gesturing to Rilee. “Coach us.”

“She’s in the ‘do not poke the bear’ stage,” he says. “Possibly migratory. Easily agitated. Needs warmth, sugar, and space.”

“Sounds like you describing me on game days,” Hunter mutters.

Rilee snorts and curls tighter into the cushions, clearly amused despite herself.

Hunter frowns again, thoughtful. “Can you do stuff during it?”

Rilee hesitates. “Define stuff.”

“Like… run? Skate? Have sex?”

Her entire face flames.

Caleb, do not laugh. Do not laugh. Be mature.

I fail. And a chuckle escapes me.

“Oh my God,” Rilee says, flinging the edge of the blanket over her face. “Why are you all like this?”

Hunter shrugs. “I’m just trying to understand how it works. What’s allowed.”

Grayson rolls his eyes. “This isn’t anamusement park, Maddox. There aren’t posted hours and a map of the attractions.”

“Hey,” Hunter says. “It’s not like there’s a tutorial on this.”

Rilee peeks out from under the blanket, biting her lip. “That’s… kind of true.”

“Thank you,” Hunter says, like he’s just been vindicated by a Supreme Court ruling.

“Okay,” I say, flopping onto the floor beside Grayson. “But really—anything else you need, Ri, just say the word.”

“I’m good.” She exhales, soft now. “This is weirdly… sweet.”

Grayson shrugs. “You take care of people all day. Let someone else do it.”

She smiles. Soft and a little shy. Then shifts to look at Hunter.

“You’re not gonna be weird about this tomorrow, are you?”

Hunter shrugs, eyes still on his phone. “I mean, I might ask if your ovaries have cooled down.”

“Wow. Can’t wait.”

But she’s smiling again.

Which means—for once—we did something right.

Chapter Thirty-Four

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