Treacherous (The Wolf Pack Series) by Maureen Smith Read Free Book Online Page A

face, or running his fingers through your hair, or playfully swatting you on the ass.” She smiled wryly. “Do those sound like the actions of an adulterer?”
    But Prissy, staring off into the distance, seemed not to have heard her.
    “Maybe it’s worse than an affair,” she whispered.
    Celeste frowned. “What do you mean?”
    “Maybe he secretly resents me for being the breadwinner. Maybe he resents me for putting him and the boys on the backburner while I was getting my Ph.D.
    Maybe he resents the long hours I work, the endless meetings I have to attend, the numerous social functions he’s forced to escort me to.” Celeste said nothing, contemplating her sister-in-law’s words. She’d never suspected that Stan and Prissy’s marriage was in trouble. They’d been together since high school and had always seemed like the perfect couple, so madly in love that nothing could ever come between them. Celeste couldn’t conceive of Stan harboring animosity toward his wife, let alone cheating on her.
    But wasn’t she living proof that appearances could be deceiving?
    Suppressing a grimace at the thought, Celeste reached over and laid a gentle hand on Prissy’s arm. “I didn’t know you and Stan were having problems. As often as we talk on the phone, you never mentioned any of this.”
    “I know,” Prissy admitted glumly. “It’s not that I didn’t want to confide in you. Believe me, I did. But at the same time, I didn’t want you worrying about me. And I guess I was hoping that things would eventually get better between me and Stan. But they haven’t, and I don’t know what I’m going to do.” Celeste rubbed her arm consolingly. “Well, the first thing you need to do is share your concerns with him. Give him a chance to tell you where he’s coming from before you assume the worst of him. It sounds like you both have a lot to get off your chests. The sooner you talk, the better.”
    “I know.” Prissy sniffled, dabbing tears from the corners of her eyes. “You’re absolutely right.”
    “Of course I am.” Celeste smiled softly. “You and Stan are going to pull through just fine.”
    Prissy gave her a watery smile. “Thanks for saying that.”
    “I mean it. Whatever happens, I know everything’s going to work out.” If only she could say the same of her own marriage.

    ***
    “Look at our boys, Sterl,” Stanton said. “Just look at ’em.” Sterling was already staring across the manicured front lawn, where their sons were engaged in a rough and tumble football game. They ran up and down the yard—shoving, blocking, catching passes, and tackling one another. All of them were fiercely competitive, from Michael down to Mason, who was holding his own against the older, bigger players.
    “You’re looking at the future starting lineup for the Atlanta Falcons,” Stanton declared, his broad chest puffed out with pride.
    Sterling chuckled, sipping from a glass of lemonade. “Nothin’ wrong with aiming for the stars.”
    “Damn straight.” Stanton rapped his knuckle on the arm of his chair.
    It was the day before they were supposed to go home. After lunch, their wives had gone shopping with Mama Wolf while the boys raced outside to play football, heedless of the steamy temperature that gave even the moss-draped oaks the appearance of sweating. Declining their sons’ invitation to join the game, Sterling and Stanton had chosen to watch from the cool, relaxing shelter of the porch.
    Sterling grinned. “Look at us, Stan. Sitting here in the shade, sipping lemonade and watching our kids play like a couple of old fogies.” Stanton snorted. “Speak for yourself. I ain’t no old fogie.”
    “You’re only two years younger than me. If I’m old, so are you.”
    “Nothing old about this body,” Stanton boasted, dark eyes glinting wickedly.
    “If you don’t believe me, just ask my wife.”
    Sterling laughed. “No, thanks. I don’t need more of a mental picture than the one I’ve been