“Gigi, and this is Pike.” Gigi pointed to my brother as he stood in front of me, before waving her hand toward the family. “And this is our family.”
Makenna tucked a lock of brown hair behind her ear, probably too petrified by the number of people gawking at her as if she was a zoo animal. “I’m Mak.”
“Move it,” Tamara said, pushing my brother to the side and grabbing me. “Damn, man. You’re looking…”
“Hot?” I asked, cocking one eyebrow. “Or maybe sexier than ever.”
“Hey now,” Mammoth, Tamara’s old man, said as he came up next to her, grabbing her by the waist.
“I was going to say you’re looking old.” Tamara laughed when I narrowed my eyes. “What do you think, baby?” she asked Mammoth.
“He looks like the same dipshit he did before, princess.” Mammoth smirked, always yanking my chain and trying to piss me off.
A decade of my life, I’d been surrounded by these people. I’d barely had a relationship with my brother before our parents died. He took off when I was little, heading south, and left me behind. I couldn’t blame him. Our parents treated him like shit. I would’ve done the same if I were in his shoes.
But their passing led me to Florida and a family that took me in and made me feel more welcome than anyone had before. Gigi, Tamara, and Lily were all close to my age, and I had been drawn to them to maintain any sense of normalcy. I’d had crushes on each of them at different times, but I was always more like their little brother in their eyes.
“Still a massive dickhead,” I told Mammoth, holding out my hand to shake his. He wasn’t touchy-feely like the other people in the family, but he wasn’t as cold as he had been when he’d first brought his ugly mug around.
Mammoth smirked as he slid his palm against mine. “A man can’t change his colors or ways.”
“Ain’t that shit the truth,” I said, shaking his hand before I pulled him forward and wrapped an arm around his back.
He didn’t even struggle. He gave in, giving me a quick pat on the back. “We’re glad you are home for the weekend, kid. Even me,” he whispered before clearing his throat and stepping out of my grip. “Ma’am. I’m Mammoth.” He tipped his chin toward Makenna as his wide frame shadowed her in darkness.
“So fitting,” she whispered under her breath. “Hi, Mammoth.” She gulped, no explanation needed on his nickname. The guy was massive, covered head to toe in tattoos, and scary as hell. He was also sweet as pie and protective to those he loved too.
I laughed, ticking my head toward the waiting group of family members near the front of the house. “You okay?” I asked her, reaching for her hand. “I know it’s a lot to take in.”
“No. It’s great. Really great. You’re so loved.” She smiled, squeezing my fingers.
“I may have had some bad shit happen in my life, but I am a lucky son of a bitch to have found this family.”
I didn’t even think I was within arm’s reach when Aunt Suzy, Gigi’s mom, stuck out her hand and hauled me against her body. “Our boy is home and safe. Thank heavens. I’ve been so worried about you.” She squeezed me until I couldn’t breathe, but I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. “I wonder every day if you’re okay. If you’re eating. If you’re sleeping.”
“I’m doing all of that,” I said, laughing as I hugged her back when she finally loosened her grip. “I’m great, Aunt Suzy. Couldn’t be better, actually.”
“You’re so grown up.” She smiled as she backed away, gazing at me. “So, so grown up.” She repeated the words every time she saw me as if she’d imagined somehow time would stand still when I was away from them.
“Son,” City said, coming to stand next to his wife. “We’ve missed you around here, and it’s good to have you home for a few days.”
“Uncle,” I whispered, tearing up a little. The man had been a father figure for me since the day I stepped foot into their lives. I was a complete shithead at first, but he taught me how to be a man and to be selfless and giving. “You have a few more gray hairs than last time I saw you.”
He narrowed his eyes, pretending he was going to give me a right hook before he threw his arm over my shoulder. “Life’s been dull without you at the shop.”
“I know that’s a lie,” I told him, letting him pull me toward the door by the neck as my hand slipped away from Makenna’s. “There’s no such thing as a dull day at Inked.”
“Maybe when you retire from the navy, you can come back to work with us.”
“I love you, City, but I don’t think that’s ever going to happen. I’ll come back home when I’m done with the service, but I wasn’t cut out to be a receptionist my entire life.”
He laughed, nodding his head. “Well, I’ll have to settle for seeing you every weekend.”
“So, Mak, how did you meet our boy?” Aunt Izzy, City’s sister, asked Makenna behind me.
“My car broke down.”
“Oh. Interesting. That’s how City and Suzy met. Her car decided to take a shit, and my brother rescued her.”
