Lincoln: He’s going to need to hear it from Cricket that the wedding is off.

Whitney: She doesn’t want to talk to him right now.

Lincoln: Then I’ll handle him. I can only keep him away for so long, though.

Whitney: Just give us a few days.

Lincoln: Done.

Thirty-Four

Lincoln

I’ve never been so glad in my life that we cleared out the hotel tower for the weekend. Mrs. Havalin rails at her son in the lobby, and it looks like it’s taking all of Hunter’s restraint not to throttle her for the words coming out of her mouth.

I’m going to be the next one he wants to kill because I’m planning his fiancée’s escape. What a damn disaster.

“Mother, if you say one more thing about the Gable family, you will regret never having a relationship with your grandchildren.”

“You don’t even know if those—”

“I’m going to marry Cricket come hell or high water, and we’re going to have a houseful of kids. Whether what Karma says is true or not, you’re risking a hell of a lot if you keep going.” Hunter’s tone leaves absolutely no room for argument, but Mrs. Havalin just can’t take the hint.

“I can’t believe you still want to marry that girl—”

“Woman, enough. We’re going home.” Mr. Havalin finally speaks again, and then looks at his son. “What do you want us to do? Do you want us to tell everyone the wedding is off?”

“I need to talk to Cricket first,” Hunter replies.

I take that as my cue. “Cricket told Whitney there won’t be a wedding tomorrow. She’d like a few days to sort everything out. I’m really sorry, man. So fucking sorry.”

“Fuck!” Hunter turns, no doubt looking for a wall to punch.

Surprisingly, Asa joins us and helps me try to talk Hunter down. “Give her a few days, man. Cricket can’t hold a grudge. She’s got too soft of a heart. She’s not going to let this stop you guys from having a future.”

“I just want to fucking talk to her!” Hunter roars, and I empathize.

I’ve been there. After the accident, all I wanted was to get to Whitney, and no one would let me. I glance at Asa, and his expression tells me he’s not going to let Hunter see Cricket unless she agrees. Fucker.

“If she loved you enough to agree to marry you, she’s not going to shut you out for long,” Asa says.

My best friend is going to hit the roof when he realizes he won’t have a choice. I have to tell him now.

“They’re going to Blue House.”

“What?” Hunter asks as he turns to face me.

“The chopper is coming. I told her I wouldn’t be able to keep you away for long.”

“You motherfucking—” Hunter lunges at me, and shockingly, Asa steps in the way.

“Let her go, Havalin. Get the paternity test done. Then you’ll know where you stand. Right?”

My friend spins around and jams his hands into his hair. “Fucking hell!”