A Redo (Sterling Shore 6)

“Where’s Trip?” Wren asks Tag.

“Shopping with Ash’s parents. He just learned to walk, so they’re having a hard time keeping him in his stroller. But they showed up and kidnapped him anyway. They’re jealous of Melanie since she gets to see him more.”

I forget how much Melanie loves Tag. He’s just like her third son, and since he doesn’t have a mother, I’m glad she loves him that way. How did Billy come from her?

“He’s getting harder to keep up with,” Ash adds on a sigh. “At the rate my stomach is growing, I’m going to be in trouble. Tag keeps trying to get me to hire a nanny for the hours he’s not home to help, but I don’t want someone else raising my kid. At least I’m getting a workout.”

Maverick and Corbin start arguing about something, drawing my attention away briefly. Kode gets in on the action, finally peeling his lips off Tria’s neck for a second. They start laughing at Corbin when Dale says something. Even Rain laughs. Dane rolls his eyes, but a mocking smile is on his lips.

“I’m not going to be celibate!” I hear Corbin hiss. Apparently the conversation down there is about Ruby. I’m still curious.

“I stopped by your house the other night,” Melanie says, prompting me to pay attention to our end of the table once again.

Angel is already making a huge dent in her French toast and ignoring the poached egg. She’s sitting across from Bella and next to Carrie. Ray is on her other side, and Melanie is beside him.

“Oh?” Wren muses, picking up a bite of his food.

“You weren’t home. It was late. I thought you might need more clothes for Angel at your house, and I brought over a bunch. Did you find them?”

Wren nods. “Yeah. In her room. I saw them.”

“I don’t spend much time at Daddy’s house,” Angel announces. “He comes to my house every day now.”

Wren chokes on a bite, and Melanie glares at him while he chugs orange juice to swallow down the lodged bite.

“Is that so?” Melanie pries.

“Yep,” Angel says, smiling innocently. Shit. “We play a lot and he helps me with my homework. He even comes over to take me to school in the mornings.”

He sneaks out after showering and changing clothes, then comes in the front door to drive her to her new school on his way home. It helps, since I have to leave for work and Angel is spoiled to not riding the bus anymore. It also keeps her from having to use the before-school program she was using at her old school.

“And he picks me up to take me home,” she adds, digging Wren’s grave a little deeper when Melanie’s eyes turn to slits.

Maverick Sterling laughs, but he turns it into a cough when Melanie jerks her gaze toward him. Ray Capperton is expressionless as he eats, not daring to interject, since Wren told me he knew.

Corbin is practically mocking Wren with his eyes, since Wren delighted in their meltdown last night at the bar. Dane is grinning broadly, but Rain discreetly elbows him in the ribs, trying to make him leave Wren alone.

Tag—who is smiling like the Cheshire Cat—leans over the table, propping his elbows up like he’s dying for a show. And Ash seems to be enjoying Wren’s discomfort as well. Rye acts bored, but I can tell he’s fighting back a grin.

“What’s up with that?” Corbin teases. “You two getting along?” he adds, taunting Wren all the more.

Wren glares at him before asking, “So what all did you two do last night? I heard rumors about a redhead you guys took home. Tag team?”

Maverick, who is leaning his chair back on two legs, suddenly tips backwards, and the chair falls with him in it until he thuds against the ground. I can’t help but laugh, especially when Corbin spews orange juice at the same time.

“That was me,” Britt says, looking over at Wren. “Don’t you remember? Or has the alcohol disrupted your memories?” she asks earnestly.

Dane is the one to spew orange juice this time, and Rain’s eyes widen in her face.

“It’s so not what it seems!” Corbin yells when Dane stands up, fury etched in his features.

“They made me leave the bar before I could find—”

“There are kids here!” Maverick says quickly as he stands, motioning toward Carrie and Angel. Then he faces Dane. “We took her home to keep her from completing a mission, if you know what I mean.”

Dane turns his glare on Britt as he sits back down, but she resumes eating as though nothing is wrong.

“We’re done,” Angel says, breaking the tension. “Can we go on the beach?”

Melanie’s interest in Wren has faded, and she stands. “I’ll take them looking for seashells,” Melanie announces. “I’ve been promising to take Angel and Carrie both out on the beach.”