She chuckles. “I know you would. Thank you.”
Then she opens her door, getting out. I slid out behind her and led her up to the porch where the guys are waiting.
“Finally, I thought you were going to make us drag you from the car too,” Nate jokes.
“Well, not everyone is comfortable being dragged to a cabin in the woods. Now, what is it that required my attention so immediately.”
“Go inside and find out.” Chase gestures to the door.
Walking by him, I open the door, then I freeze.
Streamers upon streamers hang from the ceiling of the entry hall. Balloons fill the hallway, some floating while others are on the floor.
I don’t miss how every single one is a different shade of green.
My favorite color.
My heart is pounding in my chest.
“What is this?” I demand, bringing a shaky hand to my forehead.
“Go explore and you may find out.” I glare over my shoulder at Chase as I reach back and grab Hailee’s hand.
She clutches mine and I squeeze.
I don’t know how to process the emotions in my head so I cling to her, hoping to siphon some of her calm.
We slowly make our way down the hall before I lead her left toward the living room.
An enormous banner hangs across the ceiling.
Happy Eighteenth Birthday, Willow.
“It’s your birthday?” Hailee asks from next to me.
I can’t answer her though. My heart is racing and I back out of the room. Without speaking to anyone, I turn, running down the hall and locking myself in the bathroom.
I take a couple of deep breaths as the first tear slips. My hands shake as I angrily swipe at my tears.
Why would they do this? What’s the agenda?
After a couple of minutes, a light tap comes from the door.
“Willow, open up,” Chase demands.
“I don’t have to,” I snark back, wiping my face, hoping to hide the tears that are now gone.
“Either open the door or I’ll kick it in.”
“Really? You got some kind of fetish I should know about? Did two girls one cup turn you on?”
“Enough with the deflection. I’m going to count to three and if you don’t open this door, I’m coming in there.”
I lean against the counter, crossing my arms as he counts.
“One. Two.”
I smile because I know there is no way he will break the door down. I refuse to give in, needing just a few more minutes to myself.
