Page 72 of Chess Not Checkers
MJ gives her a sharp look that tells me she wasn’t supposed to share that tidbit. Note to self: never tell Maddie a secret.
“She did?” I ask MJ.
MJ sighs. “I think it was a movie you used to watch as kids? It got to her a little. There’s no need to feel guilty,” she says with a pointed look. I have no idea how she can see right through me, but she always does. “But maybe…hug her a little longer tonight.”
I nod and look out the floor-to-ceiling windows again. Dahlia and Levi are outside, cuddled up on a blanket. They must not realize I’m here yet. Levi’s brother Maverick is also outside with his wife, Evie, and their son, Beckett. Bash is out there too, holding baby Sage with a smile on his face. Seeing him makes my muscles tense. I try to relax, though, because I know everyone in here will notice.
Only a few more days, and then we’ll tell everyone. Tomorrow night is homecoming, and then this will all be over.
“I’ll go out there to say hi,” I say, and MJ gives me a soft smile.
“Tell them dinner will be ready in a few minutes.”
I nod and head outside. Dahlia’s gaze lands on me and she jumps up. I’m crushed into a hug before I can even say hello.
“You’re going to bruise my lungs,” I choke out.
She releases me from her viselike grip. “Then you’ll have a permanent reminder of my love.”
I laugh. “I think I can remember just fine without that.”
Levi comes up next and wraps me in a much gentler, but no less loving, hug. “We’ve missed you at the house,” he says as he pulls away. “It’s quiet without you there.”
I roll my eyes and shove his shoulder while he laughs. “No house that Dahlia lives in can be quiet. I know what her weekend cleaning sessions are like.”
Music blaring through the speakers. More dancing than cleaning. And getting caught up in mementos she forgot she had. It was the best. I swallow, trying to dislodge the emotion stuck in my throat.
“Yeah, but it’s less loud with only one person singing,” he says.
Dahlia wraps an arm around his waist. “Don’t pretend you aren’t singing along too, Detective.”
“Yeah,” I add, “I seem to remember coming home to you dancing around with a broom—”
He cuts me off. “I don’t think anyone wants to hear that story.”
“I thinkeveryonewants to hear that story,” Bash says.
Maverick and Evie laugh from their blanket nearby
I meet Levi’s pleading gaze. “It’s not my story to tell,” I say after making him sweat for a second.
“You’re my favorite sister,” he breathes out.
“I’m telling MJ you said that,” Dahlia says.
He groans. “I have a feeling this is going to be a long night.”
I’m about to reply when I hear Bash cheer, “He came!”
Somehow, I don’t even have to turn around to know. My heart picks up speed. My palms grow damp. Slowly, I turn around and confirm my theory. There, on the other side of the glass, standing in a crowd of my family is Shepherd. He finds me instantly, looking over MJ’s shoulder as he hugs her.
Yes, it’s going to be averylong night.
Chapter thirty-six
With Her
Shepherd Kingsley
