Page 79 of Scarred

“How the hell can you read me so well?” He scoffs, grabbing his beer from the table and leaning back. “I taught your ass how to play. When you were in diapers, I might add.”

“That’s the problem,” Emma laughs. “You taught her too well.”

“What’s my tell?” Mav says, leaning forward so he’s closer to me. “I need to know what I do that gives me away.”

“Now, why would I do that?” I grin, putting my hands around the chips and swiping the whole pile to my chest. “You literally told me a long time ago to never share my poker secrets.”

“Damn,” he grins. “I am a good teacher. Maybe I should take you to Vegas instead.”

“Don’t even think about it,” Noah pipes up. “You will not corrupt my other sister. You already have your hands on Bella—you can’t teach Luna your wild ways, too.”

“I hate to break it to you, but Bella was wild long before I touched her,” Mav says, grinning at my sister.

“I was wild for you,” she snorts. “It just took your Playboy ass years to see it.”

“I was saving the best for last,” Mav grins, nuzzling his wife’s neck until she breaks down and giggles.

“I have the best too,” she smiles right before his lips find hers. Breaking away, she snuggles into his chest as his arm naturally finds its place around her waist.

“Since the kids are entertained in there with a movie, are you two up for a quick game of cornhole?” Noah asks Mav and Travis. “I think Mav could use an opportunity to get his manhood back after that loss.”

“Don’t worry a second about my manhood,” Mav smirks. “Your sister is taking real good care of it.”

“I walked right into that one,” Noah winces.

“Yeah, you did,” Travis laughs, standing up. “I’ll get Max to even it up.”

Travis walks away to get his oldest son from inside as Sophia grabs the wine bottle from the table. “Girls, the fire pit is calling us.”

“Definitely,” we all say at the same time and laugh.

We leave the guys to battle out their game and settle in on the outdoor sectional by the fire pit. It’s always been my favorite spot out here.

String lights are strung above us, and my mom always fills her planters each year with various flowers and greenery. The pool sits off in front of us, overlooking the canal further down below. I used to spend so many hours in that pool, lounging on a mattress with my nose deep in a book.

My gaze leaves the water, and all eyes are on me.

“What?” I ask, as all of them are teetering on the edge of their seat like they can’t contain their energies.

“Don’t you dare play innocent with me, Luna Bennett. We know you left the wedding yesterday with Cayden,” my sister smiles over her wine glass as she raises it to her lips.

“We saw you leave the dance floor, and it took all of two seconds before Cayden stormed through the crowd to follow you,” Sophia adds, her bright green eyes sparkling with amusement.

“I think the guys were oblivious because Noah didn’t say anything to me, but it was blatantly obvious to us how much you two like each other,” Emma says, fanning herself. “It got hot with all that sexual tension you both were putting off.”

I think about brushing it off and playing dumb, but they would never believe me. Besides, I really do need someone to talk to. I trust and admire them all, so their opinions matter to me.

When I woke up this morning, he was gone. I really didn’t expect him to stay the night, but it did sting a little bit that he chose to leave rather than sleep next to me. I haven’t heard from him since, but I’m determined not to be one to text first. I made the last move. The next one is his.

“I did leave with Cayden,” I admit, not being able to hide my smile as memories resurface.

“I knew it!” Bella exclaims.

“Tell us everything and don’t you dare leave anything out,” Sophia says excitedly.

They all lean in eagerly, and all sets of eyes are focused on me.

“It’s a complicated one,” I chuckle, reaching over to fill up my wine glass.