“Thank fuck, I needed that. Sorry, you both got black. If you need something, you’re going to have to get it yourself.”
Dad laughs and picks up his mug, gesturing to Chuck in a cheers motion. “This is just fine for me. I’m sure for many of the same reasons that it’s good for you.”
Chuck shudders. “For such a small woman, she can pack away the alcohol, but when it comes back up, it’s like a scene fromThe Exorcist. We’d been asleep for about an hour when it all started to re-emerge. Thankfully, she made it to the bathroom, so your cleaners won’t be needing too much of a bonus. She’s finally resting peacefully, but I’ve got things I need to do today that can’t be put off.”
“Oh?” Dad asks, and Chuck nods.
“I’ve got to pick up the horses from the movie set. Josh is going to come with me. Maxine was supposed to help, but she’s not flying back with the others today. I was going to ask Harlow if she wanted to come, but she’s off on that cruise. She’s never done anything like that, so I didn't ask her. She’s always been such a sweet girl. I know she’d change her plans in an instant if she thought I needed her help. Maxine’s really gotten better as they’ve grown older, but sometimes I wish Harlow had rubbed off on her a little more.”
Dad’s eyes light up. “Oh hey, I’ll come. I can’t remember the last time we did a road trip. Just let me deal with Molly and Emma. I’m sure the two of them would prefer to recover without me around, anyway.”
Chuck looks some semblance of alive now, and he perks up even more at Dad’s suggestion. “Probably not since before all the kids came into our lives. Yeah, that would be awesome. I’ll let Josh know. The other thing I need to do is interview a couple of new stablehands/trainers. Luke’s death was sad, but knowing what I know now, I wish I’d never hired him. As for Peter, who the fuck know’s what happened to him. People are so damn irresponsible nowadays.” He frowns before going on. “I was using your truck since mine won’t be here for another week or two with some of the other horses. DS and Jenny came over on the flight with us and have made themselves at home at the new place.”
“How are you settling in?” I ask, and he grins. Chuck’s practically the uncle we never had, so he’s never excluded any of us kids from conversations. You’d think it would be weird now that I’m dating his surrogate daughter, but it’s really not. No weirder than the fact that I’m dating my adopted dad’sactualdaughter.
“Melinda has been so happy about having a house all to ourselves. Even though Max will be staying with us, my parents won’t be. The space is a little big for the three of us, but we’ve been talking about possibly fostering a couple of children. Having Harlow in our lives made up for the devastation Melly felt when she was told she probably wouldn't conceive again, but they're all grown up, and we still have a lot of love to give.”
“That sounds awesome, Chuck. If you make even half the difference for a couple of kids like our dad did for us, they will be very lucky.” Although my home life was good, and it was only due to my birth parents’ deaths that I came to be with Dad, my other siblings weren't so lucky. I make sure I funnel a lot of donations to foster and adoption agencies, just to give back because I’ve been so fortunate. In the back of my mind, I always had an idea that I’d take that support to the next level by taking in some foster kids of my own.
For a long time, that seemed like a possibility that might never come. But now, with Harlow, it feels like that stage of my life is waiting for me rather than being so far off in the shadows I can barely see it. Once upon a time, I might have been intimidated by that. I mean, how do you know when you’re ready to be a dad? But there’s something about Harlow that calms me and helps me think beyond myself to what I could be and what I could do for others. Something within me is definitely ready.
Dad quickly drains his coffee and stands up, stretching. “I’m going to get the girls some hangover supplies then go back to the room to check on them.”
My phone message alert sounds, so I pull it out of my pocket and read the message. My heart skips a beat at what I see there, and I can’t help the “Fuck!” that comes out.
“What’s wrong?” Dad asks, instantly alert.
“Veronica tried to commit suicide. Thomas and Kai had to go see her. Apparently, whatever happened requires copious amounts of alcohol. They're headed back here and asked me to meet them at the bar.”
“Shit, I guess that means Thomas missed the ship.” Dad runs his hands through his hair in frustration.
“Don't stress, Dad. Jacinta and Jaxon know not to let her out of their sight. They’ll be fine. We’ll give them a call this evening to check in on them. In fact, when they realize Thomas isn't anywhere to be found, they’ll probably call us.” I try to reassure my father despite the gnawing worry inside my stomach.
“Yeah, Dec’s right, Brad. Harlow’s a smart girl. She’ll be fine,” Chuck says even though I can hear that he's trying to convince himself at the same time. “Let’s take the hangover dragons some supplies and go get these horses. You need to take your mind off things, and Declan will update you on the Veronica situation once he knows more.”
I nod my agreement, and finally, the two of them head in the direction of the gift shop. I put in a call to my real estate agent and get the ball rolling on the amusement park, then close my laptop and head to the bar, ready to distract my brothers from whatever drama has encroached on our world today.
ChapterThree
Holden
“Why the fuck did we agree to do this the day after the gala?” Oli grumbles as we trudge our way up the steps to our new house. Jaxon had given us a key so that we could come and go as we wanted or needed to.
“Because we love our girlfriend and sister and know that they want to start having people in here as soon as they come back from their cruise.” I’m trying to appease my boyfriend, but he woke up really grumpy and has done nothing but complain since. I know it’s because Harlow’s going to be gone for three days; we’ve all become used to being in one another's pockets. But it will be good practice for when things get back to normal and we’re all taking business trips for our individual companies. It’s also nice to take some time out for ourselves, even if it means we’re doing it while working.
It gives us some of the one-on-one time that we haven't had much of since we got back together. While I love Harlow, I also love Oli, and I don't want either of them to think I can’t love them unless we’re all together. Separate time with each of them is definitely needed to re-enforce that.
“Hey, babe, I was just wondering what you want to do when we move into this house.” Since we’re here, I ask him something that has been playing on my mind for a while. Oli stops in the foyer and turns to look at me.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I was kind of wondering if you and I would share a room here?” I can’t bring myself to look at him in case I see something I won’t like in his eyes. “I mean, I know we have our own spaces at Dad’s, and we could, I don’t know, maybe still have two rooms if that’s what you want. We could always make them interconnect, but I was wondering if you wanted to share a bed with me when we move in.” The rest of it just rushes out of my mouth. If I don't get it all out, I’m worried I’ll chicken out. Our reconnection is just still so new that I’m second guessing my instincts. I think I know what Oli is going to say, but there’s always a small chance that it won’t be what I want to hear. I just want him to know there’s an us even when Harlow isn’t around, and I guess I’m hoping he feels the same way.
Oli’s quiet for a moment, too quiet really, but suddenly he’s rushing at me so quickly I’m unable to brace myself. The two of us go tumbling to the floor, my body cushioning his. The breath rushes out of my lungs, and before I can recover, Oli is covering my face with kisses.
“Yes, yes, yes,absolutelyyes,” he says in between wet kisses. I grab his head in my hands, holding him still, and take his mouth with mine. Brushing my tongue across his lips, I quickly gain entrance. Our tongues stroke together, and Oli’s muffled groan makes me want to smile as he grinds his body against mine, but I pull away to look into his gorgeous brown eyes. His glasses are slightly crooked on his face, so I straighten them before brushing another kiss against his mouth. His lips chase mine when I lean back, but I hold him off.
“That makes me really happy, and as much as I’d like to finish this and take care of that…” I grind my hardened length against his. “We can’t. We have a lot of things to do.” I roll him off me, and he lays on the ground, eyes closed, trying to compose himself as I get to my feet.
