Into the Tide (Cottonwood Cove #1)(49)

“Thank you for the cookies,” Alana said, as she pulled me in for a hug. She glanced around the kitchen before leaning close to me. “Text me tomorrow, and I’ll get you on my calendar this week. I’m looking forward to some one-on-one time with you.”

I’d forgotten that I’d promised to make an appointment, but clearly, Hugh had remembered.

“Thank you so much for doing this.”

“Are you kidding? I never get any time alone with you, so we can finally catch up. I’m so happy you’re here,” she said, and my chest squeezed. I’d always loved and respected her, and the thought of pouring out all the issues regarding my father made me very anxious. But if I had to tell someone, I think Alana Reynolds would be my pick. She was easy to speak to and probably the most nonjudgmental person I knew.

“I’m still pissed off about what happened last night,” Travis said from a few feet away, and I turned to see him and Shay and Brax all standing with Hugh. They must have just come in.

And speaking of judgmental—my brother was the king of judgment.

He was still ranting about what happened last night, even after I’d told him everything was fine.

The Reynolds family didn’t need to know all the gory details.

I saw my dad enter the kitchen as he stood off to the side, and his gaze locked with mine across the kitchen.

“Oh, my dad’s here. I’m going to go say hi. He looks a little nervous standing over there alone,” I said, and Alana squeezed my hand.

“You got it, sweetheart. I’m going to get this chicken out before these boys start eating the dessert first.”

I chuckled and hurried over to my father and hugged him. “Hey, Dad. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Of course. Thanks for the invite.”

Hugh, Cage, and Bradford all walked over and welcomed him. Shay wrapped her arms around me from behind as my brother approached my father.

“I’m so happy you’re home right now, Lila,” Shay whispered and kissed my cheek. “I know he’s been tough to deal with, but he just loves you so much.”

Shay and I had always been close. She was good for Travis. She evened him out, where I seemed to cause him nothing but stress.

“I’m really happy to be home,” I said, my gaze never leaving my father and my brother.

“Hey,” Travis said, and I could feel his discomfort.

“Hi, son. It’s good to see you.”

They stood there, making small talk, and I stepped a few feet away to give them some privacy. Hugh walked over to me and Shay, with Dylan and Georgia right behind him.

“Don’t run away from me, Hubert,” Dylan said, over a fit of laughter.

“My name is not Hubert. Why do you insist on calling me that?”

“I just want to know who your plus one is for the wedding. Brax and Travis said you were out with some hotty last night,” Dylan said, as Wolf walked over and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head.

“Yeah, Hubert. Who are you bringing to the wedding?”

“Georgia is bringing her mystery boyfriend that anyone has yet to meet.” Dylan laughed.

“He’s just not into meeting family. He likes to keep things cool, you know? But I’m not going to this wedding solo, and unless he wants me to take another dude, he best get on board.” Georgia waggled her brows at me, and I chuckled.

“I am not bringing Karmy to the wedding. I don’t even know her.”

“That’s not what I heard.” Travis and Brax walked over, and Hugh rolled his eyes. “I mean, I feel bad that Lila buzz-killed your night with you having to step in and handle things, seeing as Kline was apparently useless. Aren’t you seeing that guy? Yet he lets you fend for yourself at a bar?”

Dylan and Georgia looked at me sympathetically. So, obviously, they’d all heard the torrid details of last night, thanks to my brother, who couldn’t seem to stop talking about it. I glanced over to see my father deep in conversation with Cage, who was holding his daughter in his arms, and she’d reached over to pat my father on the cheek. It brought back memories to the happy times we’d had when I was a kid, because there were some, even if my brother was quick to forget.

“Kline didn’t even see it happen,” I finally said. “It’s not his job to get into a bar fight because some guy was acting like a lunatic.”

“Well, Hugh did.” Travis raised a brow before fist-bumping his best friend.

“Hey, why don’t you bring Lila as your plus one? I’d love for you to be at the wedding,” Dylan said, looking between me and Hugh. “It’s going to be so fun, and you’re not going to be comfortable bringing some random woman.”

“Yes!” Georgia shouted. “Brinkley is bringing that guy she’s been dating for a few months, and he’s a real snooze fest. And trust me, my date will be a nervous wreck being around the family, so me and Lila can dance and have some fun.” She turned to her brother and put her hands together like she was praying.

“I think that’s actually a great idea,” Travis said, with a big smile on his face. “Put some distance between you and Kline. No sense getting attached to that dude when you’re leaving in two months.”

I wanted to tell him how completely clueless he was, but I was too busy staring at Hugh, waiting for him to insist that this wasn’t a good idea.