Thank goodness all the kids were off playing together far away from our dirty minds because all the ladies had their say.
“The waiting game is torture for sure,” Teal said, adding her two cents. “Kace is packing and it’s hard not to jump the sexy beast all the time.”
A throat cleared and our heads all whipped around to see Kace standing there, raised eyebrows and a smirk on his face. “Are you talking about my package with the ladies, babe?”
Teal moved over to her husband and planted a quick kiss on his lips. “Yup. It’s a really nice package,” she quipped with a shrug.
“Well, I plan to show you just what I’m packing later,” he told her before walking back over toward where the other guys stood talking.
Teal turned back toward us, fanning her face dramatically.
“You better up your game, honey!” Brinley hollered out to Rowan.
Her husband looked at Kace and shook his head, then turned back to Brin. “This yahoo has nothing on me,” he replied, smacking Kace on the back.
“You ladies are crazy,” Ruby said. “But I’d put my money on Lyric. My man knows how to work it. And boy can he sing. His voice alone can cause an orgasm to shake my body like an earthquake.”
My bruised sides hurt from all the laughing my friends had me doing. And while my face did too from being battered, I still couldn’t stop with these ladies around. I looked to Gemma waiting for her to put her two cents in, but her gaze was on her husband.
“Gem, do you have anything to add?” I asked my sister-in-law.
She turned back to the group and I was shocked when she opened her mouth. Usually right behind Alley when it came to her carefree, smartmouth comments, she was all sappy instead.
“I’m one lucky lady to have a man like Bodie fall for me.” Her eyes misted with tears. “I have a family with him, the kids, and all of you.”
Jurnee immediately filled the distance between her and Gemma and hugged her tight. Jurnee was in foster care with Gemma for a while and they had a really special bond.
“I understand how you feel.” I sighed and when all eyes came to mine, I added, “I had nobody left in my life until I met all of you.”
“Aww shit,” Alley said. “This mushy gushy stuff always happens.” She moved closer to me and pulled me in for a hug, just like Jurnee had done Gemma. “My husband rocks my world in bed. I just need to get that out.” Then she held out her arms waiting for all the ladies to pack it in for a group hug.
We all moved close and wrapped our arms around each other.
I sucked in a silent breath, careful not to let the ladies hear that the physical touch jarred my injuries. I needed the hug and didn’t want to lose the connection right then.
“If we’re going to talk about our feelings and crap,” Alley said, “I just want you to know I love you all. Patience too, who by the way, I worry about.”
She was right to worry about that girl. Patience seemed sad and I knew Ruby was concerned as well. Patience and her son had stayed home with Ruby’s gramps. I know that made Ruby feel better to have someone with him, but the young girl had been backing away lately.
“That’s all I have to say. Now let’s stop the sappy shit and—”
“Pay me,” a voice called out.
We broke apart and turned to find Embry. That girl could move in super stealth mode and sneak up on anyone. She wasn’t alone as she held her palm flat up in waiting.
“Go hit up Uncle Landon,” Alley said. “He can pay my dues.”
“Uncle Landon,” Embry called out as she, her brother Hudson, Dexter, Zander, and the twins Peyton and Piper followed her toward the men.
“You have to tell me how you do that,” I heard Peyton say as they wandered away.
“Just watch and learn,” Embry told her.
All the ladies heard and more laughter filled our circle.
“Mommy,” a voice said, causing all the ladies to look down.
There stood Autumn, looking up at Ruby. “My brother stinks,” she said, pinching her nose with her fingers.
