Ride Wild (Raven Riders 3)

“We’re making this happen now,” Haven said, all fired up.

A few minutes later, the three of them had set the tables with dessert plates and the five big cake stands with the triple-layer chocolate cakes that Cora and Haven had spent the afternoon making. But no one moved to cut a piece yet, because Alexa and Haven had pulled Maverick and Dare aside, and just then, Maverick stood at the head of one of the tables, Alexa’s hand in his.

“While so many of us are here together tonight, we wanted to share some news,” Maverick said, the room going quiet as he smiled down at Al like she was the air he breathed. What Cora wouldn’t give to have a man look at her that way. Just once. Mav’s gaze swung back to the assembled crowd again, his stunning blue eyes scanning the group. “I asked Alexa to marry me and she said yes.”

Everyone erupted in outright cheers that had Cora grinning and laughing and wanting to clap for her friend. For both of them, actually. And no way was she unraveling the thread that led to the tiny thought in the back of her head that she truly was the odd woman out in her little circle of friends—the only one without a man, and, more importantly, without a home and without even any obvious path for her future.

Nope. Not doing it. Not tonight, at least. Tonight was for reveling in the good. Cora hadn’t had nearly enough of that in her own life, so for now, she could be content with living vicariously through the girls she cared most about in the world.

Soon, the Ravens’ two newest couples stood together at the front of the room. “It’s about time we had some good news to celebrate around here,” Dare said. Nods and murmurs of agreement all around. “Maverick, for most of my life, you’ve been the closest thing to a brother that I have, and I couldn’t be happier for you. And, Al, welcome to the family. We’re not sure how Mav got so damn lucky to find someone like you, but we’re thrilled that he did, for both of you.”

Laughter and another toast went around the room.

“Now, we just gotta bring Jagger home, and all will be right in the Raven Riders’ world,” Maverick said.

“Damn straight,” Dare said, an edge to his voice that everyone understood—and shared.

But they didn’t linger on their problems. Instead, once dinner was over, the festivities moved into the big rec room, with its long, polished bar, pool tables, new air hockey table, and jukebox. It was the center of most of the Ravens’ parties, and tonight was no exception.

“Wanna play air hockey, Cora?” Sam asked, Ben in tow. Slider was nowhere to be seen, and Cora hoped he was mingling somewhere and not hiding out by himself. These parties weren’t his regular scene at all, but he had to miss hanging out with his brothers in the club. From the stories she’d heard of him, Slider had once been talkative and outgoing and fun to be around. It made her sad to think he’d changed so much.

“Only if you don’t mind getting beaten by a girl,” she said, eyebrow arched in challenge. Sam had a mile-wide competitive streak, and she kinda loved poking at it.

“You’re going down,” Sam said.

In the end, they tied, two matches each. The kid was ruthless.

“My turn!” Ben said, totally enjoying himself even though he had to play with his left hand.

In truth, Cora enjoyed herself, too. The whole time she’d played with the boys, she’d been in the moment, not once thinking about all the things she wanted but feared she’d never have.

Given Ben’s disadvantage, she let him get away with a few cheap shots, and he threw up his hands with a wild little whoop when he won.

“Ready to go, alligators?” Slider asked, coming up to the table. “It’s getting late.” After a few grumbles, the boys agreed. “Thanks for hanging out with them,” Slider said. “You didn’t have to do that.”

She smiled. “What, are you kidding? These guys always show me a good time.”

For a moment, the boys and Slider waged some sort of weird, mostly silent little battle. Cora had no idea what was going on.

“Dad!” Ben whispered loudly as he not at all subtly moved his eyeballs toward her. She pretended not to notice even though curiosity was killing her. What the heck was going on?

Slider shook his head and made the universal parental expression for knock it off. The boys grumbled again, their hugs frustrated as they said good-bye to her. Then Slider was the one saying good-bye. Sorta. “Are you okay?” he asked.

Her? He was the one who’d looked at her again and again tonight like something was off. “Totally fine, why?”