“He was the second person in as many weeks who thought he could outdrink Beau,” Greyson informed them.
Cheyenne laughed, but the memory of that night made her cringe on the inside. She honestly didn’t think she’d ever willingly take another shot of tequila again. Not even if her life depended on it.
A gentle hand touched Cheyenne’s arm and she turned to see Lorrie standing behind her with two other women. “Can I steal you for a minute?” Lorrie asked.
Brendon excused them from the conversation with Sawyer and Kennedy as he turned to face his mother. Cheyenne noticed that his arm didn’t go around her shoulders as it had for most of the night. That only bothered her a little. Granted, she didn’t expect him to show her off to his parents, but she did like the idea of him claiming her in a room full of people.
That brought back thoughts of what they’d just done in that vacant office a short time ago, and her face heated. She only hoped that the lights were low enough that Lorrie didn’t notice.
“I wanted to introduce you to a couple of people,” Lorrie said, turning and holding out her arm to the older woman standing by her side. “This is my baby brother, Owen, and his wife, Deborah.”
“It’s very nice to meet you both,” Cheyenne said, extending her hand.
Cheyenne noticed Deborah’s eyes widen and she appeared to be hiding a smile, which made Cheyenne laugh. Starstruck, apparently. She was familiar with the reaction and as long as there weren’t any tears, Cheyenne would be fine. If Owen’s pretty wife started to cry, well, Cheyenne knew the waterworks would start from her own eyes as well.
Lorrie must’ve noticed Deborah’s reaction because she laughed. “It’s all right, honey. She doesn’t bite.”
“Can I hug you?” Deborah asked.
“Absolutely.” Cheyenne moved closer so that Deborah could embrace her.
“Oh, my goodness. You’re so tiny. You look taller on TV. “
Cheyenne laughed. She got that all the time. She was small, she knew that, and people generally reacted to that. Standing next to Brendon wasn’t helping her appear any taller, either.
“Look! It really is her.”
All eyes, including Cheyenne’s, turned to the two women who were approaching cautiously. This time Brendon’s hands landed on her shoulders and she welcomed his warmth as he pulled her back against him.
“You’re Cheyenne Montgomery, aren’t you?” one of the younger women asked.
“I am,” Cheyenne responded.
“Cheyenne, these are my nieces, Chelsea and Reilly. CJ’s sisters.”
“I can’t believe you’re really here. This is so cool,” Chelsea said excitedly.
“Remember, what happens here stays here,” Travis said as he approached. “I don’t want a single word gettin’ out that she’s in town. You hear me?”
Ever the protector, Cheyenne thought. Reaching back, Cheyenne put her hand on Brendon’s thigh, letting him know she was right there with him and that she appreciated his presence.
“Anyone tell you that you’re a pain in the rear?” Reilly teased Travis.
“All the time,” Travis confirmed. “Especially my wife.”
“I wouldn’t doubt it,” Chelsea stated, her eyes continuing to dart over to Cheyenne. “It really is so great to meet you. And I promise, we’ll keep our mouths shut. Despite what the old man here thinks, we’re quite capable of acting like adults.”
Cheyenne figured Chelsea and Reilly to both be about her age, but she didn’t know for sure. However, she did believe them when they said they’d keep their mouths shut. If not, they probably would have to deal with Travis’s wrath. And more than likely Brendon’s, but she didn’t think either of them realized that.
At that moment, Kylie walked up, placing her hand on Travis’s arm and smiling at Cheyenne. “Is he bein’ bossy?”
Everyone within earshot laughed at that, including Gage, who came to stand directly behind Travis, his hand landing on Travis’s shoulder. “When is he not?”
Brendon’s hands tightened on her shoulders and Cheyenne looked up to see Travis glaring at Brendon.
Crap.
What the hell was it with all these guys and their protective instincts?
“Hey! Looks like the party’s reconvened over here,” Jessie said as she came to stand at Cheyenne’s side along with Braydon, who was directly behind her. “Someone told me to ask you if you’d sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Sawyer.”
Cheyenne smiled, noticing all eyes were on her. She knew there was no way she could get out of that one.