I nod. “I know it way too well.”
“I’m glad Wylder is solid. I figured he was. Single dads raising kids on their own usually are. There’s no time to worry about yourself when you have to keep two kids alive and happy.”
“I’m sorry,” I tell him as I realize that was his life, but he was dealing with the grief of losing his wife on top of Brax and me. He didn’t have anger to propel him through things, but sadness that weighed him down.
“Don’t be. I don’t know if I would’ve survived the heartbreak without you two kids. You kept me going and gave me more joy than anything in the world during that time and after.”
I pop up on my toes and press a kiss to my dad’s cheek. “You’re the best, Pop. I love you.”
“Love you too, sweetheart. Now, I better get home before Tilly has a fit. She’s cooking dinner, and I don’t like to be late. It’s movie night.”
“I miss those,” I tell him. “Give her a kiss from me.”
“I will. She’ll be in tomorrow with some pastries for the shop and Gigi and Pike. She wants to spoil them a little.”
I smile, giving him a wave. “They’ll be happy.”
“Bye, baby.”
“Bye, Daddy.”
As soon as he’s out the door, Timber comes stalking into the waiting area. “I’m so fucking jealous. It’s like a lovefest out here. I got no one, but you guys… You’re a freaking army of little Italians who shower kisses and hugs on one another. It’s maddening at times, but I’d give my freaking left arm for a sliver of the magic you got.”
I run up to him, giving him the same hug I gave my dad. “You’re my people too, Tim. We can adopt you.”
“You’re a silly thing. I’m a little old for adoption.”
“Who says?”
When he pulls away from my hug, he’s at least smiling. “Maybe I’ll marry into the family.”
“There’s a problem with that, honey. Everyone’s too young for you other than me and Brax. He’s looking to settle down, but I don’t think he’d dig what you have going on in your pants.”
“I’d make that boy see stars,” he says and laughs. “Well, just know you’re lucky as fuck.”
I don’t need to say anything else. I know I am, and I never want to forget it.
9
WYLDER
“So, Wylder,”Gigi says from across the table, “What’s your story?”
She’s direct for a little thing and reminds me of Tate. Looking at them side by side, I’d assume Gigi was Tate’s older sister.
“Darlin’, leave the guy be,” her husband says to her with his arm slung around the back of her chair and a beer in his other hand. “Don’t grill the man.”
“I don’t mind,” I tell him.
Tate snuggles into my side and peers up at me. “You seriously don’t have to answer.”
I give my girl a smile. “I don’t have any secrets.”
“Okay,” she mutters, “but Gigi is super nosy.”
I laugh because everyone in her family is. I’ve known them forever in some capacity, and all of them know everything there is to know about me. That’s how it is when you grow up in this area. Everybody knows everyone.
And I’ve quickly learned how her family is with one another. They hold nothing back. There’s no judgment, though. When you fuck up, they’re going to bust your balls, but there’s no malice in it.
