“I wrote those books,” I say in a quick rush, the words coming fast, as though I’m tearing off a Band-Aid.
“What?” Jill asks with a frown.
“You wrote these?” Cara asks.
I nod and watch their faces carefully.
“But your name isn’t Peyton Adams,” Jill points out.
“It’s a pen name,” I reply softly. “I don’t know how I can prove it to you.” I shrug and look out over the back pasture to the tall mountains behind the Lazy K.
“You wrote these,” Cara repeats, her voice more excited now.
I nod, not quite ready to meet their gazes. “I did.”
There’s a long, silent pause. I’m sure they’re trading glances and staring at me like I’m a crazy liar. Why did I say anything?
Suddenly, I’m tackled in a big hug and pulled out of my chair.
“You wrote these amazing books!” Jill exclaims, and holds on to me, her arms wrapped around my torso, my own arms pinned to my sides, and jumps up and down excitedly. “That’s so cool!”
“Lo, this shouldn’t be a secret!” Cara exclaims, and hugs us both.
“It has to be a secret.” My eyes are wide with fear as I pull out of their embrace. “No one can know.”
“But why?” Jill asks.
I rub my fingertips over my forehead. “Jack can never know.”
“Oh,” Cara sighs, and scowls. “I hate that asshole.”
“What will happen if Jack finds out? You’re divorced.”
“But they weren’t divorced when she released them,” Cara guesses correctly.
“I sold them and released them after we were legally separated, but I don’t know what he’d do or how far off the handle he’d fly if he found out,” I whisper, embarrassed.
“Has he hurt you before?” Jill asks, and fills my glass. I should stop drinking. I tend to talk too much under the influence.
“Yeah,” I whisper.
“What? What did he do?” Cara asks angrily.
“He knocked me around a bit when I kicked his ass out.” I shrug. “We’re in the middle of a legal mess, and I just don’t need to add this to it.”
“Our lips are sealed.” Jill’s smile spreads widely across her pretty face. “I know a famous person!”
“I’m not famous.” I wave her off with a laugh.
“Uh, Lo, yeah, you are.” Cara pats my shoulder. “Your books are being made into huge movies.”
“I guess.” It’s still weird to think about.
“Do you know who the actors are gonna be?” Jill asks.
“No.” I shake my head and laugh. “The producers have that job.”
“Don’t you have a say?” Cara asks.
“They asked who my dream cast was, and they do consult me, but at the end of the day, it’s their decision. It’s their movie.”
“Wow.” Cara grins. “Do you get to go watch the filming?”
“Can we come too?” Jill hops in her seat like a teenager.
“Where are we going?” Josh asks as the guys join us on the deck. Ty’s eyes meet mine. They’re warm and happy, and my body immediately warms, and I know it has nothing at all to do with the alcohol.
“Can we tell them, Lo?” Jill asks.
“Ty knows.” I shrug.
“You told them?” Ty asks me softly, and kisses my forehead.
I nod shyly. “They were reading it to me, and I couldn’t help it.”
“I’m fucking lost,” Zack complains. “What are we talking about?”
“Well?” Jill demands, her body quivering in anticipation.
“Okay, but first, let me just say, it’s really important that this stays between the six of us. Please.”
Josh tilts his head to the side, watching me carefully. “Okay.”
“Of course,” Zack replies. “Who are we going to tell?”
“You know these books Cara and I have been reading?” Jill asks the guys, showing them my book.
“The smut books? Yeah.” Zack rolls his eyes.
“Hey, don’t knock the smut books,” Josh informs his brother, wiggling his eyebrows. “They’re really good inspiration.”
I giggle and turn my face into Ty’s chest, embarrassed. He rubs his hand over my back and kisses my head.
“She writes them!” Cara exclaims, pointing at me.
“Really?” Josh asks with raised eyebrows.
I nod and bite my lip. “I do.”
“Why doesn’t everyone know about this?” Zack flips through my book, reads silently, then swallows hard and closes the book carefully, making us all laugh.
“Jack,” Josh murmurs. “That fucker.”