“How did Grant take the news?”
“He’s ecstatic. We both are. I’m going to be a mom, Aspen. You’re going to be an aunt.”
Hot tears prick my eyes as I process my sister’s news. I can’t begin to explain how happy I am for her. “Mom and Dad are going to freak,” I tell her.
“I know! We agreed to wait a little while before telling anyone, but I had to tell you. Besides, I can’t imagine him having all four of his brothers together and him not telling them.”
We spend the next couple of hours talking about everything and just catching up. I didn’t realize how much I missed my time with my sister until today.
At just before eight, I make sure the door is locked and the alarm is set, and make my way to my room. I get settled into bed before calling Conrad, as I promised.
“Are you on your way here?” he greets me.
“No. I’m lying in bed. How was your afternoon?”
“Good. All four of my brothers came over, and we mapped out the home gym.”
“See.” I smile.
“I didn’t say I didn’t miss you.”
“I know you did. I missed you too, but Aurora showed up, and we had some time together too. I miss my sister.”
“Yeah, as much as I hate to admit it, you were right. I miss hanging out with my brothers too. Now that we’re all married, well except for Marshall, and they're having babies, the time just isn't there.”
“We’re not married.” I’m smiling because I already know what he’s going to say.
“We might as well be.”
“Did Grant happen to have any news?”
He laughs. “Yep. I’m taking it that Aurora did as well?”
“Yeah. I’m so excited for them. And I’m going to be an aunt.”
“You’re already an aunt.”
“Not really.”
“Well, you will be once you agree to marry me.”
“Whoa. I thought we were talking about moving in together first?”
“Yeah, but you have to know that I want to marry you. You do know that, don’t you?”
He’s not wrong. He drops hints all the time. My only holdback is that neither one of us has dropped that little four-letter word yet. I know I love him. I know he’s the only man for me, and he tells me the same, but we have both yet to say the words.
“Aspen, I—” He starts, but I stop him.
“Don’t, not over the phone.”
“If you were here, I could tell you to your face. I could show you with my touch what you mean to me. I could hold you in my arms and taste your lips. I could do all of that all the time if you lived here with me.”
I’ll admit he’s starting to wear me down. Part of that is coming back to my apartment over the bakery after staying at his place for a week. It’s lonely here without him. “I miss you.”
“Baby, you have no idea. Let me come to you.”
“That’s silly. I’ll come over tomorrow when you get home from work.”
“Come over as soon as you’re done at the bakery.”
“You won’t even be there.”
“I know, but I want to come home to you.”
Last week, I would come to my place, change and tidy up a little, or work on the next day prep in the bakery until he got off and we would both get to his place at the same time. I have yet to use the keys that he gave me. “Okay,” I agree.
“Want me to bring home dinner?”
“Nah, I say we make something.”
“You spending the night?”
“Yes.” I don’t even have to think about my answer. I want to be where he is.
“I’ll see you in the morning. Night, baby.”
“Night, Con.” I end the call, and surprisingly, I fall right to sleep.
Chapter 29
Conrad
It feels as though I’ve just finally fallen asleep when my phone wakes me with a jolt. I smack around on the nightstand until I find it, seeing that it’s Royce calling. I also notice that it’s two in the morning. Something’s wrong.
“Brother,” I greet him.
“Con—” His voice cracks.
“What’s wrong?” I sit farther up in bed.
“Listen, man. Marshall is on his way to your house. I need you to be dressed and ready. Can you do that?”
“Royce? What the fuck is going on?”
“Just do as I ask. Get dressed and be ready. Stay on the line with me. As soon as you’re with Marsh, I’ll tell you more.”
“Is it Mom and Dad?” I ask, standing to pull on some sweats.
“Fuck,” he mutters. “Conrad. Just fucking do as you’re told.” There is more pain in his voice than heat.
“I’m up. I’m getting dressed.” I put the phone on speaker and toss it on the bed while I grab the hoodie I wore yesterday and pull it on. I ignore the tremble in my hands. Something is wrong, and I need to know what the fuck it is. “Royce?”
“Yeah?”
“Where’s Sawyer and the baby?” My stomach sinks. Please, God, please don’t let it be Sawyer or the baby. Fuck, don’t let it be anyone we love.
“They’re with me.”
I pull in a deep breath. I need answers, but I know he’s not going to give them to me. Not yet. My mind races with what could be going on. “Why Marshall?” I ask.
“He was already en route to you.”
“Just tell me, Royce. What. Is. Going. On?” My tone is both pleading and demanding.
Racing to the living room, I pull on my tennis shoes just as headlights shine through the windows. “Marshall’s here.”
“Good.” He sounds relieved.
Grabbing my keys, I rush out the front door, tugging and locking it behind me. Pulling open the door to Marshall’s SUV, I climb in. “I’m with Marshall. What’s going on?” I still have him on speaker, so I set the phone in the cupholder.
I look over at my little brother for some guidance, and his face is grim, and he looks like he’s on the verge of losing his shit. “Buckle in,” Marshall tells me.
“Fuck. Fine, I’m buckling in. Can the two of you please tell me what the fuck is going on?”
“Marshall?” Royce asks.
“We’re en route,” Marshall says, more serious than I think I’ve ever seen him.
“Conrad, I need you to listen to me.” He pauses. From the croak in his voice, I’m not sure if it’s for his benefit or mine. “There was a fire.”
“A fire?” My heart is beating wildly in my chest. Someone is hurt. My mind swirls as I start to put the pieces together. Everyone is keeping me in the dark, that can only mean one thing.
Aspen.
Oh, fuck no. “Where? Spit it fucking out, Royce!” I slam my hand against the dash.
“The bakery. There was a fire.” His voice breaks on a sob, and my heart stops. Making a fist, I have to pound against my chest to force myself to breathe. This can’t be happening. Not her. I just found her.
“No. No. No. No. Aspen?” I ask him. “Where is Aspen? Where the fuck is she?” I shout.