the will or finding a way to change the fucking stipulations. We don’t want the money, but if he can’t find any loopholes, we have to stay for the town.
When he finishes recounting the story, he calls Pierce who answers annoyed as fuck. “I’m on my way.”
“Did your family try to fuck us over?” Hayes questions. There’s a lingering rage in his voice, but he’s calm on the outside.
Pierce sighs. “Mom insists it was a mistake because they’re all busy.”
“And you believe her?”
“She doesn’t win anything if I stay or go. Why should I believe Mr. Parrish?”
I tune out the conversation. Instead, I text Grace and the guys. They can pack some of my clothes and ship them over.
After the conversation with Pierce is over, I ask, “What’s the plan? I could fly back to Oregon with you. I’m not sure about Mills though. Is Vance in?”
Hayes shakes his head.
Vance is not coming. Well, we’re fucked. I haven’t even looked into plan B on how to save the people and the employees if we fail. That’s my task for next week. I bet these assholes don’t even have a backup plan.
Should I tell them that we need to spend the night researching our options because if Vance isn’t coming, we’re fucked, and what’s even the point of moving to Baker’s Creek?
Mills enters the house in that moment. That gives me at least a few moments to text Seth and ask him to move our Monday meeting to tonight. We have a lot of shit to do before tomorrow—when Vance doesn’t show up.
“Why are you all here?” Mills looks around the house.
“We need to be there tomorrow,” Hayes answers without even saying where the fuck there is.
“No, I’m not going.” Mills grunts.
Uh-oh, that sounds like the meeting was a clusterfuck. “What happened during the meeting?”
He closes his eyes and sighs. “They’re releasing me from my contract. The doctor isn’t sure if I can skate again.”
“You can,” Hayes assures him.
I want to punch him in the face and tell him, you’re a few months too late, fucker!
“I can make that happen,” Hayes insists.
“Only if I move in with you?” Mills groans.
“No, you don’t have to move to Baker’s Creek. We’re setting up a practice, and you can visit us often. We’ll treat you until you’re ready to go back,” Hayes promises, and his conviction is contagious.
I want to say, yes, let’s do this. We will make that knee better as a family.
Which is why I vomit some words I never thought I would say in my entire life, “Just give the guy a chance and pack your things. Arden could use a break from the hockey life. Hayes needs us. Skittles already forgave him.”
Mills arches an eyebrow. He knows what I mean with that. We made a deal. If she forgives him, we go with him. I guess pigs can fly and Hayes can change enough to make that woman give him a second chance. “She did?”
I nod.
“It’s not just me. Henry and Pierce need you, too,” Hayes says in a big brotherly voice. “We’ve been working our asses off to ensure that everything runs smoothly. There’s a lot we have to figure out, but we have plenty of time, and hopefully, you two will help.”
Mills rubs the back of his neck. “Fine. You’re going to have to help me pack because I can’t leave Arden’s stuff behind.”
“Let’s take the essentials,” Henry suggests. “We’ll have Sophia come back for the rest next week. She’s the only one of us who can travel around.”
Hayes looks at me. “How about you, Beac?”
“Don’t worry about my shit. I can borrow clothes from all of you, and my bandmates can move my stuff when the studio is ready.”
I guess this is it. I’m going on an all-paid vacation to hell with my brothers. I grin. Let the fun begin.
Chapter Six
Grace
“The most boring man on the planet broke up with me.” I tap my chest a couple of times, outraged at what just happened earlier. “He dumped me.”
My cousin, Harper, introduced me to Hardy Roberts during her birthday party. She thought we’d be a match made in heaven. Stick to what you know—plants. Matchmaking isn’t your thing, Harp.
“This is the last time I let anyone introduce me to the ‘perfect guy,’” I complain.
“Stay single,” Dad suggests. I give him an unamused glare.
Mom’s jaw drops. “But you were breaking up with him. How is it that he turned things around on you?” I love how she humors me.