“I’ll bet you did,” I mutter.
His gaze lands on the magazine. “Is that it?”
“Yeah. Miranda sent us an early copy.”
He walks over and picks it up. Without hesitation, he flips through until he finds the article. His lips quirk. “I like the picture.” He turns so I can see the full two-page spread of us canoodling for the camera.
Glow had offered to do our “official” engagement photos with the exclusive interview. I didn’t have the heart to tell them Trinity had already taken our engagement photos. They were for us, anyway. Not for the public.
“They all came out nice.” I point to the one showing off my ring and stop to sigh at the sweet caption under the picture.
“Shelby’s the center of my universe. I needed a ring to express that, so she never forgets.”
I swear his cheeks redden. “I’m not as gifted with the words as you are.”
I link my arm through his. “You’re more gifted than you think.”
Momma steps up on Rooster’s other side and peers at the magazine. “Are you okay with it, Logan?” she asks softly.
He wraps his arm around my shoulders. “I am. I don’t have anything to hide.” He shrugs. “This way it’s out already out there. No one’s ‘digging up dirt’ and springing it on Shelby.”
Momma clenches her fists. “That girl better not come near either of ya again, or I’ll give her the ass-whoopin’ her momma shoulda,” she threatens, waving her wooden spoon in the air. She’d about had a fit when we told her what Ashley did.
Logan and I end up setting the table together while momma cooks.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” I whisper as I set the magazine aside. Not that we can change it now.
He glances at the magazine one last time. “Yeah, I really am. I’ve been blindsided too many times in my life. It’s better to be ahead of things for once.” He kisses my forehead. “Thank you.”
“Thank you,” I whisper. He’s the one who had to open up old wounds.
“Will Jensen be joining us for dinner?” Momma asks without turning around.
“He’s outside. I’ll ask him.”
The kitchen door swings open. “Did someone call for me?” Jigsaw asks, eyes glued to my momma.
“No,” Rooster says, rolling his eyes to the ceiling. “Absolutely no one asked for you.”
“I did, Jensen,” Momma says. “Join us for dinner.”
“You still need the ride to the airport tomorrow, Lynn?” Jiggy asks.
I open my mouth to explain Rooster and I have it covered, but Momma cuts me off.
“That’d be nice. Thank you.” She turns and flashes a quick smile at Rooster and me. “I don’t want to put you two out any more than I already have.”
“Bullcrap,” I whisper to Rooster.
He raises his hands in the air. “Let it go, chickadee.” His gaze shifts to the two of them over by the stove. “Just let it go.”
Epilogue Two
GRINDER
Silence.
Pure, unadulterated silence.
I blink open my eyes and stare at the unfamiliar ceiling. Inhale the crisp forest air.
Freedom.
Finally.
Best sleep I’ve had in years.
I groan as I roll over and pull myself off the cot Wrath and Trinity set up for me on their screened-in porch last night. I push the pile of soft, fluffy, clean-scented blankets aside. Forgot how nice those minor comforts could be.
Inside, I find a short stack of clothes and a note from Trinity.
We’re over at the clubhouse. End of our walkway and take a left. The path will bring you straight to the clubhouse. You’ll pass Rock’s house on the left on your way there.
Appreciate the opportunity to have a few quiet moments to myself. Also, that Wrath and his wife trust me alone in their fancy house.
Who knew the big brawler Rock carried to the clubhouse one afternoon would end up with such refined taste. He was such an angry fucker when he was younger. Spent a lot of time worrying he’d end up dead or in prison.
But he turned out okay.
I follow the brief directions and find my way to the clubhouse.
Feeling like a burglar, I approach the front door. One hand’s on the knob and one’s poised to knock.
Gravel crunches behind me. “Morning, Grinder.”
I turn and find Dex walking out of one of the garages. He crosses the parking lot quickly and bounds up the steps, slapping my back in greeting.
“How was your first night home?”
“Best damn sleep I’ve had in years.”
Something close to pity shines in his eyes, and I’m not in the mood for it this morning.
An irritated grunt leaves my throat, wiping the look off Dex’s face. He reaches past me and opens the front door. “They’re probably all in the dining room.”
He follows me inside. I stop, trying to orient myself to the large space. Dex doesn’t offer directions and for that I’m thankful.
Some soft, twangy notes drift down the hallway. Sounds too pure to be the radio.
Curious, I follow the sound, pushing through the wide double-doors into the dining room.
A woman with long blond curls is sitting in a chair with an acoustic guitar in her lap, strumming and singing.
I’m too stunned to move or breathe. What an angelic voice. Is this the kind of girls the club attracts now, or is she someone’s ol’ lady? I can’t remember everyone I met last night. And as much as I have no interest in getting to know any new women yet, I feel like this one would’ve been hard to forget.
My gaze drops to the little guys scattered on the floor at the singer’s feet. Even little Grace seems enchanted by the music. She’s not singing them some Old MacDonald bullshit, either. Something more grown up and complicated about being saved from drowning.
Trinity spots me and waves. “Morning, Grinder.”
I make my way over to where she’s seated with Heidi, Hope, Lilly, and Charlotte. At least I think I remembered all their names right.
When the girl finishes her song, and the kids clap and jump around, begging for more.
“Give Aunt Shelby a break.” Heidi reaches for Alexa, pulling her into her lap.
“Come here, Chance. Say good morning to Uncle Grinder.” Lilly gestures to me.
Chance—such a cute little shit—races over to me. “Morning!”
“Mornin’.” Shit, he already reminds me an awful lot of Z.
“Morning!” Alexa chirps from her mother’s lap.
The blonde approaches me slowly.
“Hi,” she says in a soft Texan drawl.
I nod to the guitar in her hands. “You’re fantastic. You should be a singer.”
Shelby blushes and ducks her head. “Thank you. That’s very sweet.”
The girls give each other nervous looks, but Heidi’s the one who squeezes Shelby’s hand. “Shelby’s a country singer. She just finished touring—.”
“Pssh.” Shelby waves off Heidi’s explanation.
I’m getting the feeling Heidi’s trying to let me know Shelby’s famous or something. Like I should know who she is. “Sorry, I’m not exactly up on—”