Page 84 of The Alpha's Second Chance Mate

“Rumors going around town. People say the reason you and Ashton ran off was because Perry caught you banging some other dude, and you ran off to be with your old baby daddy after he kicked you out.”

Rage surged through me. “Let me guess which fucker started those rumors?”

“Yeah,” Gaige said, and I could actually hear him wincing. “Perry.”

“Prick.”

“I know how this all went down, but others don’t. Though, how they could believe all that after what I read in the paper today is beyond me.”

“And what, pray tell, was in the paper today?” I didn’t want to know, not really, but I felt like I needed to hear all the news.

“Engagement announcement. Perry and Shawna.”

“You’re shitting me? That was fast. What about Shawna’s husband?”

“Well,” Gaige said. “I’m standing in your old living room right now, looking across the street. I see a moving truck and what looks to be the happy couple in question having one final shouting match in the driveway. I don’t think things ended well between them.”

“Serves her right,” I said. “It takes two to tango.”

“Yeah. I’m gonna let you go, and I’ll call if we get any good offers.”

“Thanks, Gaige.”

I hung up and continued packing, but some of my excitement had dissipated. I didn’t love Perry anymore. After Cole’s revelation, I’d apparently neverloved him. Still, it hurt to know I’d been cast aside so fast. My getaway with Cole hadn’t even started yet, and already a dent had been put into it, but I tried to put my best face on and forget the other shit.

An hour later, Cole, Ashton, and Trent arrived. Trent carried a military-issue duffle bag over his shoulder. He and Ashton looked excited for a boys’ night. Trent scared the hell out of me sometimes, but deep down he was still the same goofy kid I’d grown up with, just with more skills and training than before. No one, other than Cole or Stormy, would keep my son as safe as he would.

“What do you guys have planned?” I asked.

Trent put his bag down and shrugged. “I figure once you guys are gone, I’ll have the keg delivered. After that, we’ll get the bongs out.” He looked at Ashton. “What did we say? Nine o’clock for the stripper?”

“Ten, actually,” Ashton said with a grin.

Putting my hands on my hips, I glared at Trent. “You’re being an asshole.”

“I’m joking, Avery. Gonna order pizza. Watch a ball game. Ashton might try to beat my ass in video games, too, but I’ve got news for him: I was the shit back in the day, and I may give him a run for his money.”

“Are you ready to go?” Cole asked.

“I guess so. You be good,” I said as I hugged Ashton.

Cole shook Trent’s hand and nodded to Ashton. “Full moon’s in a few days. Our boy here may be a little more irritable. Are you good?”

Trent chuckled. “I was a teenager on the verge of his first shift before. I know what’s coming. We’ll be fine.”

Cole and I got into the truck, waving at Trent and Ashton as we pulled away. I sighed and relaxed into the seat, ready to relax for the first time in weeks. That lasted about three seconds.

“Shit,” I hissed. “I need to call Stormy.”

“Why? What’s wrong?” Cole asked.

“I was at her house for over an hour today and never told her we were going out of town. She’ll freak. Hang on.”

Stormy answered, and I heard Shiloh wailing in the background. “This better be good. Miss Thing here has decided she no longer likes pureed peas.”

“Who would?” I said, wrinkling my nose.

“So, what’s up?”

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