“Yeah, I know.” The smile also disappeared from Cam’s voice. “It’s about Greer.”
Vaughn said nothing for a long time. When he finally spoke, his voice was rusty. “What about him?”
“I don’t know.”
“Cam, is he dead?”
“I. Don’t. Know. I’m as in the dark as you are. All Reece said was that we had to talk about him.”
“Yeah, okay. We’ll be there.” He hung up and dragged his hands through his hair, then just sat there, head cradled in his palms.
Lark sat up beside him and wrapped an arm around his waist. “Is Greer okay?”
He straightened. Drew a breath and let it out slowly before meeting her gaze. “I don’t know, but family meetings were never good news. The last one Dad called was to tell us that our grandpa had died of a heart attack. I’m going to need you there with me today. In case.”
She laced her fingers through his, leaned into him. “Whatever the news is, we’ll get through it. Together.”
“Thank you.” He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers. “We should get ready.”
…
The hours dragged by between the call from Cam and the moment they arrived at Reece and Shelby’s apartment. Vaughn was itching to get inside and find out what the hell was going on, but steps away from the apartment, he realized he’d lost Lark at some point after leaving the elevator. She had been right beside him, but now she wasn’t. He turned and found her stopped in the middle of the hallway several paces back, chewing on her lower lip. “Lark?”
“Yeah. Sorry, I’m coming.” She nodded and took a few more steps, but stopped again.
“Hey.” He went to her. His brothers could wait another few minutes. “Vixen, what’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “It’s…nothing. It’s stupid. With this thing about Greer, it shouldn’t even be a blip on my radar.”
“I don’t care if it is stupid. Whatever it is, it’s bothering you, so talk to me.” When she didn’t respond, he rubbed her arms in light circles and took a guess. “You’re nervous about facing my brothers.”
“No. Yes. I mean…no, not really. It’s not your brothers. I can handle them.” She dragged in a breath. “It’s just…I know Libby is in there, too. What if she never forgives me for lying to her like I did? She was my best friend, my only friend, and I—I don’t want her to hate me.”
“Hey.” He ducked his head to meet her gaze. “Libby doesn’t hate you. She’s one of the most forgiving people I’ve ever met. She has to be to put up with my numbskull brother for a husband.”
The door opened, and said numbskull poked his head out. “I thought I heard you two,” Jude said. “Stop making kissy faces at each other and get in here.” Then he left the door hanging open and announced to everyone in the apartment, “I found Vaughn and Lark making out in the hallway.”
Vaughn held out an arm in a see-what-did-I-tell-you? gesture. “Libby lives with that man. If she can forgive him his constant idiocy, forgiving you will be a snap.”
Lark laughed, just as he hoped she would.
“C’mon. It’ll be fine.” He slid an arm around her waist and guided her inside. Then had to leap out of the way as Libby pounced on her and grabbed her in a spine-crushing hug.
“Oh my God, Lark! I am so mad at you!”
Vaughn stepped forward, intending to pry his sister-in-law off his wife, but Jude stopped him with a hand on the shoulder.
Libby squeezed Lark tighter—if that was possible—and cry-laughed into her shoulder. “So, so mad.”
“Wha…?” Vaughn looked at his brother, then back at the two hugging women, then at his brother again. He hooked a thumb toward the women. “That’s Libby mad?”
“Nah,” Jude said. “Mad Libby throws punches.” He rubbed his jaw and winced as if in memory. “Good ones, too. That is pregnant Libby. She’s got this happy crying thing going on all the time now. And sad crying. And just crying in general. All the time. It’s weird. You’d think she’d run out of tears?”
Without breaking her hug, Libby threw an elbow and nailed him in the stomach.
“Umph.” He rubbed his abs. “Hey, what’d I do?”
“You opened your trap,” Vaughn said.
Finally, Lark broke the hug and set her friend back at arm’s length. “Libby, I’m sorry. I hated lying to you, but I had to.”
Libby sniffled. “I know. Jude told me everything and I get it. But…” She scowled and punched Lark in the shoulder.
“There’s mad Libby,” Jude said.
She pointed a warning finger at him, then turned that digit toward Lark. “Don’t you go disappearing on me again. I was so freaking worried about you.”
Lark laughed and pulled her in for another quick hug. “You already have mom voice down pat. You’re a natural.”
Reece and Shelby walked by, headed toward the kitchen. Without breaking stride, Reece said, “It’s because she lives with Jude.”
“Hey!” Jude called.
“It is,” Libby mouthed.