Where We Belong (Alabama Summer #3.5)

Luke gets up from his seat. “I’ll join you.”

I’m expecting CJ to realize how private this discussion is and step away too, even if he doesn’t have to use the bathroom, but he remains where he is, keeping all of his attention fixated on Riley.

I watch Ben cross the floor and scoop up Nolan, carrying him through the crowd with Luke at his side. Once they disappear, I turn back to the drama unfolding in front of me.

I’m sticking around for moral support.

Realization dawns on Reed’s face. He pulls his shoulders back. “Is this because of Dick? Are you really going to be pissed at me because I fired him? Come on, Riley. I did you a solid.”

Beth tugs on Reed’s arm, looking a little anxious all of a sudden.

“His name is Richard,” Riley hisses. Hands clenched at her hips. Her bottom lip trembling. “And yes, I’m going to be pissed at you for firing him. And for not letting him come as my date. That was a really crappy move.”

Reed sighs, throwing his hands into the air. “So sorry I didn’t want to pay for some ex-employee of mine to eat salmon and drink tequila shots.”

“He doesn’t even drink tequila! But you know who does? Me! And guess what’s going on your tab, big brother?”

Riley spins on her heels, knocking into CJ before storming off in the direction of the bar.

“Whoa,” Tessa murmurs.

I nod, looking from her to CJ, who grabs his beer off the table and steps away, mumbling something about needing a refill.

Reed shakes his head. “Are you kidding me? She’s acting like such a child.”

Beth wraps her arms around his waist from behind. “She’s just upset because now things are rough between them. Give her some time. She’s here. She chose sharing our day with us over sitting at home with him. That means something.”

Dropping his head, looking half ready to pass out and half ready to sweep Beth into his arms and pin her against something, Reed turns and gathers his soon-to-be wife against his chest, pressing his mouth to her hair and whispering.

After a moment, he looks over at the two of us. “We’re going to go take a walk on the beach.”

“Cool. We’ll probably turn in soon,” Tessa replies, both of us waving when Beth raises her hand.

“That was crazy,” I murmur, shifting Chase in my arms after they move away. “And did you see CJ staring at Riley? I thought he was going to grab her by the hair and drag her off to his villa for a quick bang. Is he out of his mind? Reed will kill him.”

“Weddings,” Tessa snickers, turning her head and smiling at me. “Tomorrow should be interesting.”

Nodding, I lean against her, the two of us falling into a fit of quiet giggles and no doubt picturing the same scenario in our minds, involving Reed tackling one of his groomsmen to the ground while his sister pummels him in the back with her bouquet.

Thank God we brought headphones for Nolan’s iPad. He might just be wearing those during the ceremony.

After Ben and Luke return to the table with Nolan, we all order some food and hang out a bit longer, laughing as Luke recalls some of the things Nolan was trying to pull over on him while staying at their house.

Telling Luke he was allowed to buy whatever apps he wanted because he’s such a good kid. Flipping through On Demand and acting like he watches Game of Thrones regularly.

By the time our meals are finished, Chase is asleep in Ben’s arms and Nolan is showing the first signs of being tired, little yawns he tries to conceal because he wants to stay up and dance some more.

Tessa and Luke head for the bar, not ready to call it a night yet. Ben takes Chase back to the room while I let Nolan hear one final song.

The last note plays. My little dancer looks ready to drop.

I scoop Nolan up into my arms and carry him through the small crowd, his body immediately going limp with exhaustion and melting against mine.

God, I love this little boy.

I press gentle kisses to his cheek, smelling the sand and saltwater on his skin. When I’m almost at our villa, I reach into my back pocket, carefully balancing Nolan in one arm so I can pull out my keycard and not disturb him.

I step up to the door. The sound of one closing behind me draws my attention over my shoulder.

Riley emerges from the villa beside ours, the ivory strapless dress she’s wearing looking a little more wrinkled than it should. Her hair tangled, half coming out of the jeweled clip she was securing it up with, and feet bare. Her sandals tucked under her arm.

She looks like someone who’s just had wild, uninhibited sex.

That’s odd. Why would she look like someone who’s just had wild, uninhibited sex? Isn’t her boyfriend at home?

I look at the side of the villa, then at her again, and it dawns on me, exactly who is sleeping in that villa this weekend.

Not Reed and Beth. Not Luke and Tessa. And definitely not Riley.

My eyes widen.

Oh, shit.

Riley lifts her head with a gasp, finally noticing me standing here, her eyes doubling in size and somehow looking more startled than mine.

I stare at her. She stares at me.

An exchange happens between us, a silent plea from her mouth to my ears.

Don’t tell Reed. Please, Mia.

With a frantic shake of her head, Riley turns and hurries down the footpath, disappearing around the bend.

“Hey.”

I yelp, startled by the deep voice behind me, my hands squeezing Nolan a little tighter as he stirs in my arms.

Spinning around, I gather my breath and smile shakily at Reed. “God, you scared me.”

“I can see that.”

He glances over my shoulder, then draws his eyes back to my face.

I relax when I don’t notice any suspicion in his stare.

Wow. What incredible timing. Five seconds earlier and Riley would’ve been totally busted.

“Have you seen Riley?”

FUCK.

I blink at him. “Um, who?”

Reed breathes a laugh, giving me an odd look. “Riley. My sister. Angry blonde who is out to kill me.” He rakes a hand through his hair and looks out over the beach. “I wanted to apologize but she’s not in her room. Think she might still be at the bar?”

I nod when he turns back to me. “Absolutely. Yep. I’m certain that’s where she is. Why would she be over here? That’s just crazy.”

Again, Reed cocks his head, his eyebrow lifting in curiosity.

Oh, my God, Mia. You would make a terrible spy. Stop talking.

“Yeah, all right.” Reed nods. He looks convinced. “I’m going to go look for her. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

He walks down the path in the direction of the bar.

I collapse against the door the second Reed disappears from my sight.

My pulse is racing, fluttering like hummingbird wings beneath my ear. My skin feels a little clammy.

I hate secrets. And I am not taking on this burden alone. No, thank you. If I’m going to freak out, someone else is going to freak out right along with me.

Unlocking the door, I push into the room and spot Ben on the bed.

“CJ and Riley just had sex. Wild, all over the room kind of sex. I’m sure of it.”

Ben glances up briefly from the T.V., then resumes watching. His shoulder jerks. “I could’ve called that.”

His tone is cavalier. Completely unaffected.