Too Sweet: A Boys of Lake Chapel Novella by Abby Millsaps

Author:Abby Millsaps [Millsaps, Abby]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2025-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Joey

I’m clinging to the lukewarm coffee mug like it’s my last lifeline. I don’t even want the putrid liquid, but holding the mug gives me something to do between texting Hunter. One timid sip confirmed what I feared—I grabbed Decker’s cup in my hasty exit from the kitchen. The man rarely drinks coffee as it is, but when he does, he takes it black.

I’m not surprised when the sliding glass door creaks open and my four guys file out onto the deck.

Their crestfallen expressions and puppy dog eyes kill me. One of them looking at me that way would be enough to make me want to gloss over the whole ordeal. But when they all have the same expression and I’m the one responsible for putting it there?

Ugh times four.

I shoot off one last text to Hunter, then stash my phone away.

“Hi,” I offer meekly as the guys inch closer, circling the hammock where I’ve made camp.

Kylian is the first to reach me. He slides onto the hammock and pulls me into his arms without hesitation.

A fraction of the tightness in my chest loosens, but most of the shame is still there. Instinctively, I rub at my breastbone. I hate feeling like this. More importantly, I hate that I made them all feel like shit, too.

“We’re sorry, Hot Girl.” Nicky takes my hand, interlacing our fingers. “We shouldn’t have gone all out and made a big deal about your birthday without talking to you first.”

I offer him a weak smile, my eyes watery with unshed tears. I don’t want to make them feel worse. But I can’t fight back the anxiety and anger that stir up for me on February fourteenth when there are balloons and a banner reminding me of the day.

I wanted this year to be different. Up until twenty minutes ago, I was sure it would be. Hell, for the first time in my adult life, I was excited about this day.

Nicky strokes his thumb over my hand. “We popped every balloon. We tore down the streamers and the banner. We stashed the presents away. We’ll put the cake out in the trash tomorrow before we leave.”

I tip my head up to meet his gaze. “There was cake?”

Kylian leans over and runs his nose along my jaw. “Vanilla buttercream with extra sprinkles.”

My heartstrings tug at the thoughtfulness. They went all out. I hate that I can’t just enjoy this for what it is.

“Talk to us, Mama,” Kendrick encourages. “What’s going on?”

Sighing, I sit up, then rise to my feet and stretch out my arms. The blanket I was cuddling under falls to the deck. Nicky tsks and whips his hoodie off over his head.

“Here,” he insists, helping me put my arms through it.

I smile at him appreciatively. “Thanks.” I cross my arms and steel my spine, grateful for the extra warmth. It’s way too cold to be out here without some sort of layer or blanket.

“So Nicky’s allowed to give you something?” Decker mocks.

My eyes flit to his face, shooting daggers at my dense-as-hell husband.

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