Twenty-Five

 

 

Indie

 

Had we completely misjudged the reaction we’d receive? Did no one even care that Linc had just kissed me in the middle of the ballroom? Surely someone would have seen and made a comment about it.

Linc’s fingers threaded through mine. I smiled at him nervously, still not accepting the fact no one actually cared.

The unmistakable sound of the heavy ballroom door opening echoed through the room. I looked over, catching a glimpse of Nate storming out just as they slammed shut behind him. Someone definitely saw. That was the reaction I had been waiting for.

“I better go and speak to him.” Linc pressed a kiss to the side of my head and released my hand.

“Not without me.” I reached for his arm, gripping it tight, and walked with him to the doors. Bailey caught my eye on the way out and gave me an excited two thumbs up with a big smile on her face. Jack sat beside her looking like the cat that got the cream. He shot me a wink as Linc and I stepped through the doors.

The hallway was empty. Nate couldn’t have gotten that far unless he ran. I looked at Linc as he ran his hands through his hair nervously.

“Where’d he go?” I asked.

A thumping sound came from around the corner. We approached slowly, peering around the edge of the wall where we saw Nate kicking the baseboard with his shiny, pointed black shoes.

“Dammit.” He muttered a string of curse words that would make a sailor blush.

“Nate.” I stepped forward, only to be held back by Linc, with him positioning himself in front of me. For protection? From Nate? Nate would never hurt me. I was his sister. We looked out for each other.

His eyes flicked between Linc and me. I couldn’t read the expression on his face.

“You.” He pointed at Linc. “You did this.”

He charged for Linc, grabbing his shirt in his fists, and shoved him into the wall behind us.

“This is your fault. You played me for a fool,” he seethed at Linc.

I closed my eyes, terrified he was going to hurt him.

“Nate, stop. Please,” I begged, reaching out to pull his arm off Linc.

“Step back, Ace. He’s right to do this. I expected it.” Linc’s voice was so subdued.

“Do what?”

“Break my nose. Do your worst, brother. I deserve it.”

I couldn’t watch. I could not watch my brother beat up his best friend. There had to be a better way. Couldn’t he see Linc and I were perfect for each other?

“Nate?” I said again but stopped when he began laughing.

He released Linc and smoothed down his shirt, still laughing. “I’m not going to break your nose.” His eyes focused on me. “Yet. But if your hurt her, I can’t be held accountable for my actions. Got it?”

“Loud and clear. Don’t worry, I don’t plan on hurting her.” Linc smiled then came over and wrapped an arm around my waist.

“Well, what was that all about, then?” I gestured to the wall Nate just had Linc pinned against.

“I lost the bet.” Nate groaned and kicked the wall again.

“What bet?” I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms in front of me.

“Jack bet me that you two would get your acts together and finally hook up by the wedding. I, however, bet against him, sure it wouldn’t happen because I’ve been waiting years for you two shits to stop dancing around each other and finally bite the bullet.” He rubbed his hands over his face.

“You knew?” I gasped.

“How?” Linc asked at the same time.

“You guys were so obvious. You.” He pointed at Linc. “Always fixing your hair and straightening your clothes whenever Indie walked into a room, preening like a god damn kitten.” He laughed. “And, Indie, I’ve never known anyone try so hard at sport and fail, continuously, over the years so this idiot would keep teaching you. And don’t get me started on the scary movies. Newsflash, you both hate horror films, yet you both watched them all the time, just so you could end up curled up together on the couch.” He placed his hand over his heart. “Sweet. Touching. Really.”

I couldn’t believe he knew. All this time.

“How much?” Linc asked.

“What?”

“How much did you lose to Jack-ass?”

“Stop calling him Jack-ass. It’s not nice. And it’s not true.” I stomped my foot.

“Sorry, Ace. The name stays, at least for now.”

“Stupid ass,” I mumbled, and Linc grinned. “How much did you bet Jack?”

“Five.”

“Five bucks? That’s it?” I breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn’t more. Nate had a tendency to exaggerate sometimes, but he shook his head.

“Five hundred dollars,” he groaned. My mouth dropped open in shock.

“Sucks to be you, man.” Linc laughed and started leading me back to the ballroom.

“You can split it with me,” Nate said, jogging to catch up.

“Hell, no. That’s your fault for trying to make money off me and your sister.” He paused with one hand on the door handle and looked at Nate. “So, we’re all good?”

“Yeah, we’re all good, unless…”

“I hurt her, but it won’t happen, because I plan on making her my wife.” Linc grinned and pushed the doors open.

My mouth dropped open.

“Close your mouth, Ace. You’re drooling.” He tapped my chin with his finger.

“Stupid ass,” I mumbled, still trying to wrap my head around the whole wife comment.

Linc winked at me and walked off.

“You’re really okay with this?” I asked Nate.

“Yes. I’m just surprised it took you both this long.” He stood beside me with his arms crossed.

“We both thought you’d freak out.”

“Well, if it was anyone else, I might have, but it’s Linc. He’s loved you forever, and he’s always done right by you. He’s a good guy.”

“He really is,” I agreed. “Can I ask you something though?”

“Sure.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about his accident?” I didn’t know what made me think of it, but I was suddenly curious why they would keep it from me.

Nate ran a hand over his face and sighed. “You’d left pretty mad. I wanted you to have a few days to cool off before I called you, but then he was fine, and I didn’t see the point in worrying you over nothing. Or stressing him out when he needed time to recover. Sorry, sis. I should have told you, but I was looking out for you both.”

“I guess that makes sense. Still not happy I only just found out, but it’s in the past,” I said, falling silent as my gaze met Linc’s.

“You happy?” Nate asked.

“Yeah.” I sighed dreamily as I watched Linc talking to my parents. He was intense, his hands waving around, and whatever he was saying appeared to have the desired effect. My mother hugged him, and my dad shook his hand, clapping him on the back and pulling him in for one of those awkward man hugs.

“What was that?” I asked when he came back over and pressed a kiss to my lips.

“That’s my cue to leave.” Nate cleared his throat and looked away, pretending to see something interesting on the other side of the room and leaving us alone.

“That was me speaking to your parents.” Linc wrapped his arms around my waist and started swaying to the music.

“About what?”

“Us.”

“What about us?”

“Just told them that as much as I tried not to, I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“And?” I asked hopefully.

“What more do you want?” he teased. “I asked your dad for permission to marry you,” he said casually, like it was no big deal.

“You did what?” I screeched, pulling back.

“He said yes. Seemed like he couldn’t wait to give you away. Do you irritate your folks that much?” He laughed.

“He said yes?” I was shocked. After the look on their faces earlier, I was prepared for a war.

“Seems like they knew as well. Apparently, everyone knew but us.”

“So, we’re getting married. Is that what you’re telling me?” I asked as Linc grabbed my hands and pushed me out, spinning me under his arm and bringing me back in again. When did he learn to dance like that?

“Not so fast, Ace. I haven’t proposed…yet.” He brought his lips down to mine.