Once everything was at the cabin, I’d start the process of sorting. What we wouldn’t use for the next few months I’d put in storage. There was an empty shed tucked into the trees behind the A-frame that was about to get stuffed with boxes and my furniture.
I’d lived in this house for nearly two years, but my lease was up in June. I hated letting this place go, mostly because it was so close to work. But if I kept this house, my parents would ask questions. They’d have doubts. So in an attempt to convince my family and the community this marriage to Jasper was real, I’d let it go. Even if that meant a major headache this summer finding a new house. Rentals in Quincy, decent rentals, didn’t pop up often.
I spun in a slow circle, taking in the bedroom’s tan walls and thick crown molding. I’d miss this little home.
This house was cute. Old, but cute. Yes, the winters were too cold and the summers excruciatingly hot because this place had been built long before decent insulation was a standard. Still, it had been mine.
When Jasper and I parted ways, where would I go next? With any luck, maybe I could just come back here. There might be something else within walking distance to downtown. Worst case scenario, I could move to the ranch.
There was a loft apartment above the barn at home. My uncle Briggs had been living there for a while, but his dementia had progressed to the point where he needed more care, so Mom and Dad had moved him into a local home with nursing staff to help.
Mateo had lived in the barn loft for a while before he’d moved to Alaska. It wouldn’t be horrible. Mom would cook for me. That was a major bonus since I was still working on refining my cooking skills. But the drive to town alone would be time consuming, especially in the winter when the roads were icy.
And my poor pride might never recover if I had to move home after the divorce. I could already hear the snickers at my ten-year class reunion.
“Last resort,” I told myself, then finished unloading the dresser, zipping both suitcases closed.
My closet was next. Maybe we could just leave everything on the hangers. Was there enough room in the A-frame’s closet for all this?
Wait. Did the A-frame even have a closet? I hadn’t noticed one in the bedroom this morning. Maybe it was downstairs by the laundry room or bathroom.
“Jasper, how much room is in the closet at the A-frame?”
No answer. Where was he? Where was that box for my shoes?
“Eloise,” Jasper called.
“Yeah?” I hollered back.
“Come out here.”
I hefted a suitcase off the bed and popped the handle, dragging it behind me down the hall. “How much room do you have in the closet at the cabin?”
Jasper still didn’t answer.
“Can you not hear me?”
Silence.
“Apparently not,” I muttered, trudging to the living room. When I reached the mouth of the hallway, I came to an abrupt halt.
Oh shit.
Jasper stood, legs planted wide, arms crossed over his broad chest, staring at two angry men.
They also stood with their legs planted wide and arms crossed over their chests.
Griffin and Knox didn’t so much as glance my direction. Their glares were locked on Jasper.
Okay, so I guess Talia hadn’t kept this quiet.
My heart climbed into my throat as I risked a step into the room. The testosterone was stifling. It was like walking through a dense fog.
“Hey!” I smiled too brightly, hoping it would cover up my nerves.
Nope. My voice was shaky. Damn it. Someday I’d master cool and collected when faced with my angry, scowling brothers.
One hesitant step at a time, I walked straight through the wall of alpha-male energy to stand between them and Jasper.
Still, they ignored me completely. They looked straight over my head to scowl at Jasper.
This was the problem with marrying a man just as big as your brothers. I was ignorable.
“Did you bring one truck or two?” I asked.
No response. Could anyone hear me today?
“Griffin.” I reached out and poked him in the gut. His scowl deepened but he dropped his gaze, finally shifting his focus to me.
I realized my mistake too late. Because his gaze might as well have been a flamethrower.
“Is it hot in here?” I gulped. “Maybe we should all go outside where there’s more air. You can carry this suitcase for me.”
Nothing. Not even a blink.
“Okay, I’ll just wheel this one out myself.”
“You got married.” Knox’s voice was as lethal as Griffin’s glare.
“Right. Um . . . about that.”
Griffin’s nostrils flared.
“I see that Talia called you yesterday,” I muttered, my gaze flicking to Knox.
“It was Lyla,” he said. “Would have been nice to hear from you.”
I winced. “In my defense, I called both Winn and Memphis earlier. Neither of them answered.”
My strategy for breaking this news was to tell the easy people first. Hopefully earn a couple of allies. So I’d called their wives, breathing a huge sigh of relief this morning when neither had answered.
“You called at five o’clock this morning,” Knox said. “Memphis was asleep since she spent most of the night up with the baby.”
“And you called Winn’s personal phone,” Griffin clipped.
I knew that Memphis didn’t sleep with her phone in their bedroom, and Knox had been taking the early morning shift with the boys. And Winn always had her work phone close by in case the police station needed to get ahold of her. But I’d counted on her personal phone being out of battery or lost, like normal.
“I’m sorry.” I clasped my hands in front of me, a silent prayer for forgiveness. “I’m really, really sorry. But given you’re standing in my living room, it’s not like you’ve been in the dark for long. And I was going to tell you today. I swear.”
A muscle in Griffin’s jaw flexed. The scary muscle.
“I’m sorry.”
My apologies weren’t helping. Because we all knew I shouldn’t have waited. I should have talked to everyone yesterday. But the dread had been crippling. So instead of dealing with it last night, I’d escaped reality by sleeping in Jasper’s bed.
No more escaping.
It was time to face the consequences of my actions. And so far, this was playing out exactly as expected. They were mad, rightly so. And worse, they were disappointed.
“Do Mom and Dad know?” My breath lodged in my chest as I waited for Griff’s answer.
Griffin gave me a single nod.
My arms wrapped around my stomach. The regret swallowed me whole. I sucked as a daughter. “How mad are they?”
Knox scoffed. “Guess.”
Mad. Super mad.
“What the actual fuck were you thinking?” Griffin uncrossed his arms, planting his fists on his hips. “You got married. When? Where? Why the hell didn’t you tell your fucking family, Eloise?”
“See? This was why I wanted to talk to Winn first.” I shied away from that furious glare. “Because I knew you were going to yell at me.”
“You married a stranger. In secret. And you hid it from us. I’m going to fucking yell.”
“Griff—”
A strong arm wrapped around my shoulders, stopping another lame apology.
Jasper hauled me backward, flush against his chest. “That’s enough.”