“MIKE,” BOOMEDthrough my office phone when I answered, my feet up on my desk, the patio doors open, ocean air floating in.
“What’s up?”
“It’s happening. Natalie’s having the baby. Shit ...”
“You’ve done this before, Ash. What’s the problem?”
“I’m old. She’s my world. I’m having a fucking fit. Get your ass out here.”
I laughed into the phone. It wasn’t often that Asher was rattled—I wanted to enjoy this for a minute or two.
“By the time I get a flight out of here, you’ll have a new baby. You’ll be okay.”
“Don’t be an ass. Get out here.”
“What about Petey?”
I clicked on my computer and messaged Carson about the availability of his plane.
“Shut the fuck up. I love Petey; he’s great. But, dude, I need you. Tonight, I’m going to be home with Quinn and the twins for the first time ever—alone.” When I laughed, he said, “Yeah, yeah, cut your bullshit. I know I’m spoiled, but I need you. You’re like a brother. More than Petey, but don’t tell him,” Asher said, rambling on for a long while.
By the time he finally took a breath, Carson had a flight lined up for me with a friend.
“I got you, Ash. I got you.”
“And bring Lynx because I’m going to need her help with the kids. I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing.”
“I kind of figured that, you ass.”
“Nat said I should call one of the girls from her gym or the club, but I’ll look like an idiot.”
“I feel you, man. I’m coming with Lynx. Gotta hang up so we can get moving.”
He disconnected without another word, and I called Sampson. He wasn’t affiliated with the hotel yet, but he knew how I liked shit done. I told him what was happening and asked him to come by while I was gone, check on my office and front desk, talk to the managers, see if there were any problems.
Then I texted Lynx, who texted back a bunch of girl emojis. I expected that one. She’d formed a sort of texting kinship with Quinn now that he was older and they’d reconnected.
By the time I got home to grab her and our luggage, Lynx was jumping in place, mumbling something like, “Baby time, and I’m going to meet Quinney’s girl.”
Lord help me.
ASLYNXand I touched down in Vegas, our phones beeped simultaneously. Asher and Natalie were the proud parents of a brand-new baby girl, still unnamed.
A car was waiting to take us to the hospital, where we were greeted by Quinn, Lillie, and Parker eating candy in the waiting area—courtesy of Sadie from the Tunnel.
Sadie waved us over. “Hey, guys.”
“Mike!” Quinn stood, holding out his hand and puffing out his chest.
“Come here, you idiot.” I pulled him in for a hug. “I don’t care if you’re almost a man, you just became a big bro. Again.”
“Hi, Quinney,” Lynx said, causing the kid to blush.
“She called you Quinney!” Parker jumped up and down, hopped up on sugar.
“Pipe down, you little sh—, I mean squirt.” Quinn tapped his little brother on the head.
“Hi, Lynx, ’member me?” Lillie stood tall and proud in a bright pinkI’M THE BIG SIST-shirt.
