Brick Brick (Knights Corruption MC - Next Generation, #4) - S. Nelson Page 0,131

on the swing next to me, tugging Riley toward me when she stepped closer. Her hand was locked with Kaden’s, but they separated when I managed to steal her for myself. “I need my girl for a few minutes.” I gave him my best smile, but he didn’t seem impressed.

“Fine, but I want her back soon.” Kaden bent to give her a quick kiss. “Where’s Ace?”

“In the backyard I think.” I waved him off when he refused to budge from his spot, his sole focus on his woman. He was acting weird, but then again, these two were secretive sometimes, passing silent messages between them.

Hell, I didn’t know anything about their relationship when we were younger, and Riley and I told each other everything. Almost everything. But now that they were back together, she shared a lot more with me, mainly when she was aggravated with him. Ry didn’t want to admit it, but she was more like her dad than she thought, definitely as stubborn.

“Come find me when you’re done,” he finally said, winking at her, then faux scowling at me. “Don’t keep my woman too long.”

“Goodbye, Kaden.” I huffed when he took his sweet-ass time before walking into the house. “So, what’s new?” I bumped her shoulder with mine, attempting to act all nonchalant, but my nerves were getting the best of me. I needed to talk to her, to spew out everything that happened between me and Ace last night, but the words were trapped in my throat and each time I convinced myself to speak them, I got all choked up.

“What’s new? You just wanna chitchat?” My bestie turned in her seat to face me, studying me, her brows rising, then narrowing, her expression unreadable yet expressive. “Nooo… you have something to tell me, don’t you?”

“Yes,” I blurted, but then clamped my mouth shut. If I told her, then I’d have to deal with it for real, and not ignore the situation.

“Well? Are you gonna tell me or do I have to guess?” She fidgeted, pulling on the bottom of her skirt, which had ridden up a fraction when she sat down. “Anytime today would be good, Chels.”

“Ace wants to have a baby.” The words rushed out before my brain could tell my stupid mouth to stop them.

“What?” Her surprise was evident when her voice went up two octaves. “Really?”

“Yes, really. And he’s been relentless about it too. Bringing it up all the time.”

“I’m guessing you’re not ready for kids yet.”

“No,” I said, louder than I meant to. “I’m only twenty-three. I have years before I wanna think about that.”

“Yeah, but Ace is older, so maybe he thinks his time is shorter.”

“He’s only two years older than me,” I scoffed, Riley taking his side not going over well with me. “Try again.”

Her palm slid into mine and she squeezed. “If you’re not ready, then you’re not ready. He’ll have to understand and be patient. There’s no rush. Besides, tell him you want a ring before you spit out any of his babies.” She pulled a face and made me laugh, but my glee was cut short when I felt something glide over the crease of one of my fingers. I snatched my hand back and grabbed hers when she tried to hide it in her lap.

“Like this?” Staring back at me was a gorgeous engagement ring. “When did this happen?” I couldn’t take my eyes off it, and I made a quick mental note to have Kaden go with Ace when and if he ever decided to ask me. Damn, the man did good.

“Right before we came here.” The huge smile on her face disappeared a second later. “You can’t tell anyone until we do. My dad can’t find out from someone else.”

My thumb and index finger turned in a clockwise motion against my lips. “I wouldn’t want to witness that catastrophe either.”

She recapped the proposal, wiping away a fallen tear when she finished. “I can’t believe we’re engaged. There was a time, not that long ago, when I couldn’t bear to be in the same room with him, my heart torn in two because of everything that happened between us.” Another tear trailed down her face. “And now… now he’s gonna be my husband.”

“You two deserve all the happiness in the world.” I pulled her into a side hug, lifting her hand for the second time. “And he deserves a little somethin’ somethin’ for this ring, woman.” I wiggled my brows, as if she didn’t