Page 126 of The Road Less Traveled By

“Do you think…” Tristan trails off, not wanting to finish his sentence. “Fuck!”

I can’t fucking do this right now.

I storm outside to the front of the house where my guys are at. They all turn their heads to look at me, surprise on their faces when they see me in my fucking pajamas. Not the best impression to make this early in the morning, but I couldn't give a fuck.

“Do you guys know where the girls are? They aren't in their rooms.”

“Well, sir—” Wilson says, but Tristan cuts him off.

“Where the fuck is my wife?” Tristan yells, and before he starts swinging, Wilson points to the left. Deep in Bree’s yard, I can see three silhouettes doing…something. I’m not quite sure what.

I see one of them turn around and start to run in our direction, and the two others follow suit a few seconds later.

As soon as I see Liv’s face, Tristan and I breathe a few sighs ofrelief.

“Pretty girl, what the fuck were you guys doing? We thought—” Tristan stops himself as he looks over to where they came from and the egg carton in Liv’s hand. “Seriously?”

“Sorry. We left you guys a note on the counter. Did you not see it?” Bree says as she smiles at me.

Tristan and I exchange looks with one another before he bursts out laughing.

“Just get it over with,” I tell him, knowing what’s about to happen.

Tristan just keeps on fucking laughing.

“What the fuck is happening?” Teags questions, an annoyed look on her face.

“This dude,” he says as he grabs my shoulders, still laughing, “is a trained bodyguard!”

“We’re all aware of that, Tris,” Liv says, a confused look on her face.

I’m rolling my eyes as Tristan speaks. “He’s the one who swept the first floor looking for you guys, and he didn't catch the goddamn note on the counter!”

“Fucking hell, before you die from a laugh attack, can you maybe think about how stressed I was thinking that all three of them were tied up in the back of a van somewhere?”

“You thought we were what?” Teags scoffs, as if we were the ones being ridiculous.

“We thought you guys were hurt, but it turns out, you were throwing eggs at Bree’s goddamn tree. Typical fucking Hart sisters. God, I love you guys.” Tristan presses a kiss to his wife’s forehead before he grabs her hand. “Don't fucking scare us like that again, though. Especially not now.”

“Baby, Teags and I were just trying to make Bree feel better,” Liv says, melting into her husband's frame.

“It worked, if that helps.” Bree smiles at me, hoping to ease some of my frustration.

“Plus, your men could see us the whole time, but you two went straight to freak out,” Teags quips, sounding bored.

“Can you fucking blame us?” I say as Bree slips her hands around my waist, her simple touch lessening the tension in my body. “Is this like a thing you guys do? Why the fuck are you so calm about this?”

“Trust me, dude. Throwing eggs at a tree is a rite of passage in this family. You, Nico, and I can try it sometime. It’s fucking awesome,” Tristan says as he smacks my shoulder. “Can we please go to bed, pretty girl? I’m officially stealing you away. You guys spent all night reading before you came out here.”

“Let’s go,” Liv says as Tristan picks her up and carries her inside. “Sorry to scare you two! Maybe next time, keep an eye out for a giant piece of paper explaining everything, or talk to your guys before you go crazy! Just a thought!” Liv all but yells before Tristan pushes the door open.

“You would think a professional bodyguard would be able to see a simple note, but maybe you’re getting old, Vincey.” Teags jokes before she too heads inside, leaving Bree and I standing on the small path in front of her house.

“I’m sorry, Vince. Teags and Liv heard me having a nightmare, and they all but dragged me out here to relieve some stress.”

Fuck, that kills me. My girl was having a nightmare, and I wasn't there to calm her down. But since I wasn't, I’m glad her sister and Teags were there. If it wasn't gonna be me, I’d rather have it be them. “Why didn't you come get me, angel?”

“Teags said you were asleep, and I didn't want to wake you because I know you’ve been burning the candle at both ends because of me, and—”

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