“We’re already working on it,” Erica says gently, squeezing Bailey’s hand. “Welcome back. You look like you need a hug.”
Bailey wraps her arms around her and hugs her tight. “You have no idea.”
My throat clogs at the expression of pain on Bailey’s face.
Danica is leaned into the open passenger window of the car, speaking to her sister. Now they’re coming this way.
“Come on in, girls,” Carrie welcomes.
She’s changed her clothes and fixed her hair and looks more like the Carrie Blackwood I know.
I do my best to level Danica with a glare.
It seems to bounce off her and she smiles for Bailey, asking, “You doin’ okay?”
Bailey laughs nervously, gesticulating uncertainly before shrugging.
Graydon stands in the doorway behind his mate, looking unhappy.
He huffs out, “Sunroom is around back.”
He’s also blocking the entrance. With my most recent experience with this coven, I understand why.
Carrie shoots an angry look at her mate. “They’re welcome in our home, Gray. Move aside so they can come in.”
He shoots her a dark look and crosses his arms over his chest. He’s not moving.
All eyes move to the street where Greyson is now parking.
Once he’s out, he stops and hugs Veronica, looking like he’s attempting to comfort her.
Two more vehicles pull up. First, Tyson in his old red truck with Mase in the passenger seat followed by Riley’s car with Linc in his passenger seat. Joel approaches on foot.
“Everyone’s here. Let’s go on into the back yard,” Grey says.
“Congrats, brother,” Tyson says and throws his arms around me.
“Thanks, man.” I slap his back.
“She’s perfect for you,” Mase tells me, shaking my hand and slapping my shoulder. “I’m not the only one who was hopin’ it’d go this way.”
I can’t help but smile as I take her in. She’s got her pretty face all puckered up, her arms across her chest, her eyes all squinty. I laugh, feeling something strange bubbling in my chest.
He’s right. If only I’d known it before shit went sideways.
“Bro!” Linc slaps my back and ruffles my hair. “She looks like she wants to murder you.”
“I’ll fix it.”
“You will,” Joel says, throwing his arms around me.
I hug him and push him away teasingly as anxiety climbs up my body like vines about to choke me. “Thanks guys but you two do me a favor and stay as far from her as you can? This is fuckin’ with me.”
Joel’s expression drops.
Linc lifts his hands defensively. “Understood. Having the same issue over with Jared and Cicely.”
Grey is hugging Bailey now and she looks even more upset. My stomach pitches as she dashes tears from her cheeks with the backs of her hands.