Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,314

lives. He moved away to college, and I’m back home in Tennessee, home with Kacen.

I tell Kacen and the guys about her offer and they immediately accept, saying it will be good to get away for the weekend. I call Stacy and she’s eager to go as well.

Kacen decides it’s best to rent a Suburban to drive up, enjoy the fall scenery. I don’t argue, because everyone seems to think it’s the best idea since sliced bread. Not sure what’s going on with all of them, but I’m determined to find out. I offered that the guys could bring a friend. Gavin said his girl had to work, and Tristan just grinned, saying he was good. Cole smirked and said his girl had plans.

I’m not going to give up so easily.

The drive to Ohio is entertaining. The guys riddle Stacy and me with stories of growing up together and being on the road. They even break out in song when theirs comes on the radio, saying they sound better live.

My mom insisted that we all stay at the house. They have the space. Kacen and I will be in my old room, Stacy will be in the spare, and the rest of the guys will sleep downstairs. We have a bedroom down there and two pull-out couches. She wouldn’t have it any other way. I told them they could refuse, but they all seemed to like the idea of the press not knowing they were in town. No airports and no hotels equals a quiet stay in the birthplace of aviation.

We get to my parents’ and Stacy suggests we unpack later and visit first. The guys readily agree after the five-hour drive. Mom meets us at the door and hugs us all. She tells us she’s going to just order pizza tonight and Kacen volunteers to go pick it up.

Mom disappears into the kitchen after getting everyone’s topping preference and Jase strikes up a conversation about football. I sit snuggled into Kacen, listening to the banter. I survey the room and realize Stacy didn’t fall all over my brother like she normally does. I make a mental note to question her.

“You want to ride with me to get the pizza, babe?” Kacen asks me.

“Sure, that would make it easier for you to find it,” I agree.

Mom tries to give Kacen money, and he waves her off, telling her that’s the least he can do for her letting everyone crash at the house.

She protests, but he doesn’t give in.

Chapter 49

Kacen

They’re all in on it. Every one of them has helped me orchestrate this. I couldn’t have done it without them. Her parents found the realtor and went to a dozen different showings. I trusted their judgment. I gave them my requirements and I let them choose. This would be a home we live in just when visiting them, but I still needed to make sure it’s in a safe neighborhood and I wanted a big backyard for the kids to play in. The prospect of being a grandma made her mom very happy. She went as far as to ask how long. I just laughed and told her to let me get her to agree to marry me first. She assured me I had it in the bag.

Logan and I head out to pick up the pizza when really I’m taking her to our new house. I pull out my phone and tap on the GPS app where the address is already saved.

“You don’t need that. I know where we’re going. I did grow up here,” she teases.

“I know, but I have something I want to show you first.”

“What?”

I expected this. “Just some property I found online.”

“Real estate is a good investment,” she agrees.

I fight like hell to keep the smile from gracing my lips. The drive is only ten minutes, another requirement. I wanted the house to be close to her parents. I pull into the drive and the pictures her dad sent don’t do it justice.

“Wow,” she breathes. “This place is gorgeous.”

“You think so?” I act as if I’m not really sure.

“Yes! Let’s sneak a peek through the windows,” she says, bouncing in her seat.

I grin. “We don’t have to. The realtor sent me the keys.” I hold them up for her. It’s not a lie. The realtor did mail them to me, once she received my check.

“Look at you, Mr. Rock Star, getting special privileges,” she jokes.

“Perks of the job.” I smile back at her. “Let’s look around.”

We