“Isanyone listening to what I’m saying?” Elias asked the room.
“You can’t still be on that trip about being a bachelor forever,” Finn said.
Every head turned toward him, and Elias felt the intensity of their stares like knives. “My reasons for not wanting to get married are my own.”
“I give up.” Dawson got to his feet and waved a hand in Elias’s direction. “I’m going to check on the food and kiss my wife. Unlike Elias, I love knowing Sophia is waiting for me. You don’t know what you’re missing.”
Brooks stood as well and then hauled Hudson up by a grip on his elbow. “We should go, too.”
“Why do I have to go?” Hudson asked.
“Because we need to have another talk if you’re going to continue playing with cougars,” Brooks growled in his best dad voice as he tugged Hudson toward the stairwell.
“I’m out too,” Alec said, getting to his feet. “I think I need to be in onthatconversation.”
Gage laughed at Alec’s statement and stood as well. “I don’t know Quinley other than what I’ve seen on television, but I know you, Elias. If you’re not ready or interested, it would never work. You’re right to steer clear. Besides, if she’s as great as you say she is, she won’t be single long.”
The words hit him like a fist. Elias felt his entire body tense and then bit back a curse when Cole and Finn both seemed to notice. And smirk.
ChapterTwenty-One
You holding up okay?
Quinley stared at the phone in her hand as the message flashed on the screen. It was 4:33 a.m., and despite the drive and the drama with Rhys and her parents, and how worked up she’d become while recounting the meetings to Ana, she’d yet to sleep.
Ana had offered wine and hugs and ordered her to bed to rest, but Quinley had given up and grabbed her phone to mindlessly shop for her new home. Her new, veryemptyhome. She had now had multiple carts with items ready to checkout but still hesitated to pull the trigger due to the totals.
New business start-ups cost money. And while she had a nice savings, she had to be careful.
But Elias’s text? Knowing he reached out to her?
Better than I thought I’d be. Can’t sleep either, huh?
I’m at Cole’s. My house was…crowded. I should’ve left you at the cabin. Gone for gas on my own. I’m sorry I made things worse for you. I’m glad they’ve made an arrest, though.
She frowned at the phone, hating that Elias was being harassed like Ana and her parents, and sank deeper into the bed.
Me, too. And for the record I’m allowed to ride with a friend.
So you’re okay? With the ex? Your parents?
Aww, do you care about me?
A lag followed, longer than the rapid-fire responses he’d been sending.
Friends care.
She smiled and sank her teeth into her lower lip as she pondered her next words and their time at the cabin.
I’m okay. Rhys is hurt, but he will be fine. My parents are… Well, I doubt my father will speak to me again in this lifetime now that he knows my plans, but who knows? And my mom. IDK I said something to her about my dad and how he treats her—treats us. I think she needs time to consider. Until then, celebrate the future, right?
Right. I should let you sleep. Big day tomorrow.
She smiled again. She had a home, was ready for her new life—thanks in part to Elias. She wanted to ask how he faired, if he was worried about the attention of their return.
Are you okay? Did your bros give you a hard time?
Another lag. As though he considered how much to say to her.
