Triple Beat-nook(30)

It had said, “Day of reckoning almost here. Ready for it?”

She’d turned off her phone and lain on the couch like a zombie until Bryson and Aiden had woken up and the three of them had gotten ready to come here.

As she stood on the porch, the hair on the back of her neck stood up as she felt eyes on her. She’d had the same sensation of being watched when she’d met Jett and Carissa for breakfast yesterday, and then again last night in the restaurant.

Dani tried to convince herself it was just her imagination, but she had too strong a sense of self-preservation to discount the feeling completely. She glanced over her shoulder to study the neighborhood behind her. The street was quiet and appeared deserted, but Dani couldn’t shake the idea that her dad was there, watching her.

If he was, she’d f*cked up royally, as she’d led him to the Lewis home and put Aiden and Bryson on his radar.

“Soooo,” Bryson drawled, pulling her from her terrifying thoughts. “Are we knocking anytime this century?”

She grinned at his attempt to ease her nervousness, though she suspected it was a wobbly effort. She was slowly starting to freak out despite the fact Bryson was usually a natural when it came to helping her laugh her cares away.

“We can leave right now, Dani, if you don’t want to do this.” And in true fashion, Aiden was there to offer her comfort and an escape route if the humor failed.

“I want to see them. It’s just…I didn’t leave on the best of terms.”

“You think they’ll be angry?”

Dani shook her head, but even as she did so, she wasn’t sure. While Jett had assured her everyone was dying to see her, she felt as though she’d let Mama Lewis down, hurt her by running away.

She’d carried that guilt around for a damn long time.

“Dani?” Aiden stepped closer.

She swallowed her fear and knocked on the door. If she couldn’t handle a reunion as simple as this, there was no way in hell she’d manage to face her * of a father.

Jett opened the door, grinning widely. “Everybody is in the dining room. They’re going to flip out.”

Her beloved foster brother grabbed her hand and tugged her inside as if sensing her desire to bolt. His grip told her she wasn’t going anywhere.

Aiden and Bryson followed in their wake as Jett led them to the dining room. They gave her some space, but remained close enough to let her know they were there if she needed them.

The room was much more crowded than it had been in the days when Dani had lived there. Jett had warned her that the family had doubled, as the majority of her foster siblings had found their soul mates.

“Look what I found.”

The room erupted.

Chairs scraped along the hardwood floor as everyone began jumping from their seats.

According to Jett, he’d only told his family that he’d found her and he was planning to contact her soon. None of them knew they’d been chatting for two months. Or that she was coming to visit. The shit-eating grin on his face told Dani he was thrilled by the results of his big surprise.

Her foster sister, Chloe, was the first to reach her. For such a tiny woman, she knew how to give one hell of a hug. The two of them laughed when Chloe released her, then slugged Jett in the arm. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell us she was coming! I would have bought a damn present.”

Dani shook her head. “Today is my present. I’m so glad to see you again, Chloe.”

Chloe didn’t have a chance to respond as Justin grabbed Dani, and then Caleb took his turn. Both men gave her gigantic bear hugs. They’d been older when Dani came to live with the Lewis family, Justin in his early twenties, and Caleb a big, bad senior in high school. They’d both instantly assumed the role of overprotective brothers, making Dani feel safe and cared for.

“I think you guys got bigger,” she said, attempting to catch her breath. “I didn’t think that was possible.”

“We missed you, Dani,” Justin said.

Caleb crossed his tattooed arms, drawing her attention to his muscular chest. Most people would probably take one look at Caleb and head in the opposite direction, but Dani knew he was a giant teddy bear under the fearsome exterior. “Never again, Dani. Don’t you dare disappear on us again.”

She’d run because she’d been afraid, felt helpless. She had been too scared to consider what her actions had done to the family she’d left behind and the pain she’d cause them.