“No… but I’ve got a feeling we’re gonna be family. And that’s a hell of a lot better than friends.”
I blink. “Family? Why would you—?”
But he doesn’t explain. He just hauls me up and pulls me into a hug.
A real one full of warmth.
Not bone-crushing, not awkward…just… solid.
I’m too stunned to do anything but stand there and hug him back.
Family? Me? Him? I don’t understand.
Footsteps hit the doorway.
“Knuckles.”
We both look up.
Skip is standing there, arms crossed, expression sharp but not angry.
“You’ve got five seconds,” he says, voice calm but laced with warning, “to finish that hug and remove your arms from Eli before I lose my fucking mind, brother.”
Knuckles smirks and squeezes me a little tighter, whispering, “Told you he’d kill me before my time.”
Then he lets go.
I stumble a step back, confused out of my entire soul.
“I…Skip? Why would you…? I don’t… what’s happening?”
Skip walks toward me, gaze still pinned to Knuckles.
“Nothing you need to worry about, baby.”
Knuckles snorts. “Possessive bastard.”
“Damn right,” Skip shoots back. “Now move your ass away from him.”
Knuckles throws up both hands, grinning as he backs away. “Yeah, yeah, I know where I’m not wanted.”
I stare between them, completely lost.
Family?
Possessive?
Five-second hug limits?
I have no idea what universe I’ve landed in…but apparently I’m part of it now.
Skip doesn’t wait for Knuckles to leave the kitchen before he reaches out, hooks a hand around the back of my neck, and pulls me straight into his chest.
“How’re you feeling, sweetheart?” he murmurs against my hair.
My mouth opens… nothing comes out.
I’m still confused.
