Everyone laughed.
“Every bride-to-be needs to have a bachelorette party,” Larissa said. She nudged me out of the way. “Go on. Beth and I will take care of things here.”
“Thanks.” I gave Larissa a hug, then Aunt Beth. “I’ll see you both tomorrow.” I turned to Whitney and Abby. “Let me say goodbye to everyone, and then we can go.”
As I was leaving the kitchen, Trent, Jax, Colt, Wyatt, and Isach blocked my escape. “Going somewhere?” Trent asked, brow raised.
“Bachelorette party,” Whitney said. “Now move, or we’re going to be late.”
“I was actually just coming to look for you,” I said, ignoring Whitney’s bossy tone. She could wait a few minutes. I’m sure whatever she and Abby had planned wouldn’t be ruined if we were five minutes late.
“Dad sent us in here to clean up. Said it was impolite to make our guests do all the work,” Trent said.
“Okay, make it quick,” Whitney said to me, then grabbed Abby’s arm and dragged her out of the kitchen, whispering and giggling.
Trent took my hand and led me out onto the back porch. “So,” he said, hooking his fingers through my belt loops and tugging me closer. “Tomorrow’s the big day.”
“You sure you’re ready?” I asked, wrapping my arms around his neck and leaning closer. “Because if you want to change your mind…”
He flashed a gorgeous smile. “You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
“Good thing I don’t want to get rid of you, then, huh?” I met his lips in a slow, languid kiss that held the promise of our future, and a fresh wave of excitement and nerves swept through me.
Easing away from the kiss, he rested his forehead to mine. “You should go before I decide to kidnap you for the night.”
I laughed. “Isn’t that bad luck? Spending the night together before the wedding?”
He shrugged. “Maybe, but I’m willing to tempt fate if it means having you with me tonight.”
I wiggled out of his embrace and patted his chest. “Sorry, but you’re just going to have to wait until tomorrow.”
Groaning, he took my hand and kissed my palm. “Fine. Go have fun with your friends. I’ll see you at the altar tomorrow.”
I couldn’t contain the smile that spread across my face. “Love you,” I said, then slipped back inside.
Isach and Wyatt were busy washing dishes while Jax sat at the table with Larissa and Aunt Beth, the two of them red-faced and laughing. Was he seriously flirting with them? I shook my head.
Trent stepped in behind me, his hand settling on my lower back for a brief second before he joined his brother at the table. So much for all of them cleaning up. I spun on my heel, intent to find Sean, then Whitney, but I barely made it out of the kitchen before Colt intercepted me.
“Can we talk?” he asked.
I narrowed my eyes. I hadn’t actually had a one-on-one conversation with Colt yet, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to. Not when all he did was make snide comments and accuse me of doing things with Jax. But I’d be lying if I said my curiosity wasn’t piqued.
“I guess,” I said.
He nodded and led me out the front door. “Look, I know I haven’t been very nice to you,” he said, pacing the length of the porch. “But you have to admit, this entire situation with my brothers is weird.”
“Believe me, I know,” I said. I moved to lean against the railing, my body facing the door. “But you have no idea what really happened, Colt, but I promise you, I never wanted to hurt either of them.”
“I know.” He sighed and stopped pacing. “I’ve been watching you.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed. You’re not exactly subtle about it,” I said, crossing my arms.
He chuckled. “I made a mistake staying away from my family for as long as I did, but I’m here now, and I don’t plan to go anywhere.”
“Good, neither do I,” I said, meeting and holding his gaze. “You don’t have to like me, but I am marrying Trent tomorrow, and then I’m going to be part of this family, too.”
“I know,” he said again, a faint smile curving the corner of his mouth. “I may not understand everything, or agree with a lot of the choices that were made, but believe it or not, I admire you, Chloe.”
I snorted. “Yeah, right.”
“I’m serious,” he said. “You fight for what you want. You don’t back down from anyone or anything. You stand by the people you love, and those are all very admirable traits.”
“Oh.” I dropped my hands to my sides and straightened. “Uh, thanks, I guess.”
“I never wanted this life for any of us, but here we are, and it’s clear Trent and Jax have adjusted to what we are a lot better than I have.” He dragged his hand through his hair, his expression shifting from passive to agitated. “I realize now that whatever happened between you and Jax is in the past. For you, anyway. I can see how much you and Trent love each other. Whatever lingering emotions are all on Jax.”
I nodded, unsure what to say. I certainly hadn’t expected a semi-apology from Colt of all people, but now that he was talking, I didn’t want to interrupt him.
“I only hope he can move on,” Colt said.
“Me too. I really do want Jax to be happy,” I said with sincerity. I took a hesitant step forward and placed my hand on Colt’s arm. “Despite everything, I’m glad your back, Colt, and I truly do hope you stay. You being here means so much to Trent, Jax, and Sean. I’m not sure they’d survive losing you again.”
He smiled, but it was sad. “There are certain things I need to take care of, wrongs I need to right, but you’re stuck with another annoying brother.”
I laughed and dropped my hand from
