Reid and Reilly’s practical joke had worked, although by the looks of it, Brent wasn’t happy that the snap ball firecrackers under the toilet seat had met with his ass.
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Reid and Reilly shuffled over to Brent, heads down like two adolescents about to be scolded by their father, which wasn’t all that far from the truth.
Lorent had to admit, the joke was funny, and the chuckles, giggles, and smiles were good indications that everyone else was getting a kick out of it as well.
Once the twins were standing in front of Brent, he folded his arms across his broad chest.
“It was his idea!” Reid and Reilly pointed at one another and spoke at the exact same time.
“Was not!” Again said in perfect unison, followed by glares at one another.
“Enough!” Brent said loudly, and the two quieted instantly.
“I know the both of you well enough to be certain that you each had an equal part in it. Tomorrow, you’ll both clean this place up, and then you will both do night patrol for the next two weeks.”
“C’mon!” Reid and Reilly said together.
“Don’t argue with me.”
The twins looked at the floor before mumbling, “Yes, sir.”
“You can go back to the party now, but any more shenanigans, and you’re out of here.”
They mumbled, “Yes, sir,” again.
“By the way,” Brent said, “great joke.”
Reid and Reilly turned and smiled wide grins at him.
“You better watch your asses, though, because paybacks are a bitch.”
Brent whistled as he walked toward the others.
“Aw man!” Reilly smacked Reid on the shoulder. “Told ya.”
“Yeah, whatever. It was still funny.”
They both grinned again and made their way toward the food.
Lorent grinned too. Things were going to start getting interesting around here, that was for sure. He shook his head as he closed the door behind him, suddenly feeling the cold more than usual. He was perplexed when he realized he was actually regretting the fact that he was leaving. That had never happened to him before. Usually, he couldn’t get away from a group of 101
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people fast enough, but he didn’t feel like that tonight. He wanted to be a part of the group. What had brought that about?
He shook his head in bewilderment and started toward his cabin. The night was dark, and the snow was getting deeper. The thick feel of the air told him that the storm was not likely to let up anytime soon. He didn’t mind. The snow brought an air of calm, an air of purity to the land. It covered the earth in a temporary blanket of innocence.
“Lorent?”
He was tempted to ignore her and keep walking, but Shannon was persistent if nothing else. He turned and watched as she hurried toward him.
Her white coat nearly swallowed her whole.
“Yes?”
She was breathing a bit hard by the time she got to him. “I wanted to tell you Happy Thanksgiving.”
“You shouldn’t have come after me for that. It’s cold out here. Go back to Brent and Rindy’s.”
She gave her trademark pout, and he wanted nothing more than to get as far away from her as fast as he could.
“I wanted to give you something as well.”
“Why would you give me anything?” He raised a brow in question.
She smiled, and before he realized what she’d meant, she stood on tiptoe and placed her mouth against his. He immediately pulled away from her, and she scowled.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
He sighed. This was not going to go well, but it was time for him to set her straight about his feelings for her. “Shannon, I like you, but only as a friend.”
“I knew it!” She balled her hands into angry fists.
“Knew what?” What the hell was she talking about?
“It’s because of her, isn’t it?”
“Who? What’s because of who?”
“Melony. Until she came along, we were fine, and now she’s sashayed in here like a princess and come between you and me.”
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He held his hands up. “Whoa. Wait a minute. I don’t want to hurt your feelings, but I’ve never felt anything more for you than friendship, and I never will. That is, and will remain, the truth whether Melony was here or not. I’m sorry. I’ve tried to make it clear that I wasn’t interested in you that way.”
“But I thought I was your mate and you were just too shy to admit it.”
Her bottom lip quivered.
He shook his head. Good God, had she really thought that? He tried hard to recall any time that he may have given her any indication that she was his mate, and was certain he never had.
“No. You are not my mate.”
“But I was so sure.” Fat tears slid down her cheeks.
Son of a bitch. He felt more uncomfortable now than he had at any gathering. She threw her arms around his waist and sobbed against his chest.
He placed his hands on her shoulders and patted her on the back, not sure exactly what to do with her. Before he could figure it out, a sound behind Shannon caught his attention, and he found Melony standing behind her, watching them, her mouth set in what he could only describe as an angry line. Shit.
He gently removed himself from Shannon’s embrace and started for Melony, but she took two steps away from him, and he stopped.
“Melony,” he whispered.
“I-I’m sorry for interrupting.” She turned away, but he caught her by the arm.
“It isn’t what you think,” he whispered close to her ear, and even in the middle of this uncomfortable misunderstanding couldn’t help but breathe in her scent and savor it.
“It’s okay. It’s not a big deal.” She tried to break away from him, but he refused to relinquish his hold. “Let go of me, please.”
“Shannon was upset. That’s all. I was—”
“I don’t want to hear it. I’ll see you Monday.” She looked down at his fingers gripping her arm. “Let me go.”
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