Chapter 312

I really don’t want to celebrate the day I will probably lose the men I care about, the only men I have ever cared about so much, for the rest of my life. It feels morbid to even try to plan it.

But, Beau looks so excited and earnest, that what choice do I really have? I would rather eat broken glass than disappoint him. And this might be the last chance we really have to spend time together.

This is how I find myself standing outside the Pyramid, looking at balloons, and color swatches, and… farm animals?

“I thought a petting zoo might be fun,” Beau says.

Admittedly, the baby goats are super cute and I definitely want to pet one before they leave for the day. But.

“I might manifest a wolf this year,” I tell him. My healing ability gifted to me by my wolf is getting stronger and stronger all the time. Per Steven, it’s most likely a sign my wolf is close to the surface. “If that happens… do you really want me around a bunch of defenseless small animals?”

If I accidentally eat a baby goat, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.

“Okay… Fair point.” Beau, holding a tablet, strikes a line through petting zoo on his list.

“We can pet them now, though, right?” I ask.

Beau gives me a grin. “Why else would I ask them to come?”

The next few minutes are spent in true joy, as I get to not just pet, but also hold a little baby goat.

Beau and I get thoroughly distracted with that for a while, before we drag ourselves away, father down the grassy lawn.

There, a few game tents have been set up, presumably from a traveling carnival.

I look at Beau with a raised eyebrow.

“Everyone loves carnival games,” he says brightly.

I’m suspicious about that. Has Beau ever even tried carnival games?

“They are usually rigged,” I tell him.

Beau laughs. “Says someone looking for a reason why they always lose. Come on. I’ll show you.”

We go to the milk-bottle toss first. Beau places down some money and gets handed three softballs in return.

I don’t understand why he has to pay to play when presumably he paid to get the tents here at all, but I won’t ruin his fun. Maybe he wants the full experience.

Crossing my arms expectantly, I wait for him to throw the ball.

He does. His aim is true, the ball hints the milk-bottles head on. Yet, instead of knocking them all down, the ball bounces off of them and comes flying straight back to Beau. He dives out of the way before it can hit him in the face.

I lean over where he’s lying on the floor. He peers up at me.

“You were saying?” I asked.

“No carnival games,” he grumbles.

I laugh.

The bouncy house is next.

“I didn’t know they made these for adults,” I say.

We both kick off our shoes and jump inside. I feel a bit like a kid again, bouncing and falling without getting hurt.

Everything’s perfectly innocent, until Beau grabs me and kisses me. Then… well, it’s not as innocent anymore, but no less enjoyable.

“Bouncy house is the winner,” I whisper, breathless, against Beau’s mouth a few minutes later.

He hums his acknowledgement before silencing me with another kiss.

It’s another hour, before we return back inside. Steven is in the living room with Mia. The news is on, on the television.

“You’re just in time,” Steven says.

I sit beside him on the couch, and Beau sits down on the other side of me.

On the screen is a very flattering picture of the four Hayes brothers.

“The mayor is now in talks to declare a city-wide holiday in honor of the brothers,” the newscaster says. “It is only through their diligence and courage, that the truth of their father has been brought to light.”

“Look at that,” Beau said with a low whistle. “We’re celebrities.”

I gently punch his arm. “You were already celebrities.”

“Yeah, but now it’s because of our own merits. And not thanks to dear old dad.” Beau pauses. “Well, I guess it’s thanks to him a little bit, but only because he’s such an asshole.”

“Don’t forget about mom,” Steven adds.

“Who could?” Beau says. “She’s even worse.”

Suddenly, the screen fills with a different image: mine.

“Another hero to also be celebrated on the Hayes Brothers’ Day is Chloe, who stood up to Mrs. Hayes when she threated to shoot her own children. Chloe may not be named in the day itself, but she is no less important.” The newscaster smiled brightly at the camera. “Thank you, Chloe.”

Beau returns my light punch with one of his own. “You’re a celebrity too, Chloe. How does it feel?”

No way. “Is this fake?” I shoot a glare at Steven.

His hands go up at once in defense. “No way! It’s totally real.”

“But I didn’t do anything! You all are the heroes!” I say.

Beau snorts. “Drop the humble act, Nanny. You know as well as all of us that we’d have been toast without you. Hell, the original plan revolved around Archer catching a bullet or two.”

That was news to me. “What?”

Beau shrugs like it’s no big deal. Archer was supposed to be shot! He was ready for that?

Thank the Gods I was there.

These brothers are way too reckless. I’m sure Archer thought he could just bounce back after something like that too. Ridiculous.

“Might I remind you that you also put yourself in the way of a gun,” Beau says, giving me a flat look.

“That’s different,” I grumble.

“Sure,” Beau says with a laugh. Obviously he doesn’t believe me.

My phone rings and I fish it out of my pocket. Mom is written on the screen.

Gods help me. She’d probably seen the news too.

“I have to take this,” I say, standing up from the couch.

“You have ten minutes,” Beau calls after me. “We still have to go through the guest list!”

“Invite whoever you want,” I call back. I truly don’t care. If it’s up to me, I don’t want a party at all.

But it’s for Beau. So he should invite whoever he thinks.

“That’s not how it works!” Beau calls. “It’s your party!”

I ignore him to answer my phone and bring it to my ear.

“My little girl is all over the news!” Mom says excitedly. “They are even dedicating a day to you! Oh, Chloe. How wonderful!”

“It’s not like that, Mom. It’s Hayes Brothers’ Day.”

“And Chloe’s Day,” Mom says. “That’s what we’re celebrating in this house.”

I laugh a little. “Okay, Mom. Thanks.”

I carry my phone as I walk to the front of the Pyramid. Outside the front doors, I see a group of people begin to gather. Some of them are reporters with cameras and microphones.

What could they possibly be hoping to film right now? Do they not have enough footage of the brothers?

But then, someone spots me through the glass doors. They point and scream.

“Chloe!! It’s her!”