Page 47 of Just A Bet

Dad calls us over for the end-of-year “you guys were incredible” speech, and then we get food. Noa protects me on one side, but somehow Grant ends up in the other seat beside me, and that’s worse than one of my obnoxious brothers. I’ve sat beside him multiple times at family dinner, but I’ve never been so aware of every move he makes.

“So are you dating?” Michael asks from across the large banquet style table.

Noa squeezes my shoulder. “Something like that.”

“Really?” Trent hedges. “I haven’t seen Lennox date a guy for years.”

I swallow my last bite of food and force a smile onto my lips, looking up lovingly at Noa. “I guess it just took the right guy.”

Grant clears his throat beside me and I shoot him a look, but he’s not looking at me. Just gripping his fork like he’s trying to wring the life out of it.

This isn’t working.

“I guess we owe her some money.” Trent says, then looks at me. “Oh shoot, you did tell him, didn’t you?”

My hand shakes as I try to pretend I’m immune to their teasing. “Of course I told my fiancé about your stupid bet.”

It takes exactly two point five seconds before it registers. Grant reacts first. Then Micheal, then the twins.

“What did you just say?” Grant barks and the entire party goes silent.

Noa squeezes my hand.

I paste on a brave smile for my brothers. “I have to thank you guys, actually. Without this little bet, I never would have met the love of my life.”

Noa smiles down at me, but all I’m aware of is how hot it is in here. Shouldn’t a giant ice sculpture cool things down?

“No,” Michael says. He stands up, and so do the rest of them. “No way.”

My three brothers turn toward Noa as if they can scare him off with their presence, but he’s got a foot in each direction on all of them and he stands up to prove it.

“Lennox, you’re not serious,” Trent says, looking down at me.

I don’t like this vantage point, so I push my chair back and stand up.

I frown at them, purposely ignoring Grant’s heated gaze. It looks much more fierce than it did last night. I swallow despite the nerves creeping up my back. “I’m more serious than I’ve ever been about anything.”

“This is a joke, Lennox.” Michael laughs awkwardly.

“No, it’s not.” I’m one second away from stomping my foot like a toddler.

My brothers are each wearing a different version of the same glare they inherited from my dad. But my brief bout of victory is dimmed by Grant’s deep frown.

“We’re actually going to Vegas over Christmas.” I say. I never told Noa this part, and his grip tightens.

“No, you’re not.” It’s Grant this time, and every hair on the back of my neck stands on end. Does he hate me right now? Or could he actually be jealous?

“Dad!” Sean shouts. “You can’t let her do this.”

Dad shrugs and gives me a side hug. “I think my little girl is big enough to make her own decisions.”

“I don’t believe this.” Michael shoves his hands through his hair, and the veins in Grant’s neck are bulging. Sean, to his credit, just looks amused. “I’m not letting you go anywhere with him,” Michael says.

Grant steps up beside him with folded arms. “Me neither.”

Trent nods in agreement, and Sean does as well.

I narrow my eyes, eyeing each one of them. “I’m either invisible or the butt of every joke to you guys. And I’m so sick of it. You guys don’t control my life.”

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