“Okay, baby. We’re going to my brothers. They’ll know what to do.”
I have five brothers – Eli, Rhett, Jaxon, Miles, and Kai – who have always been there for me. Ever since the day my dad left us when I was eleven, I’ve relied on them to help me solve my problems. And if ever there was a problem I needed help solving, this is it.
I march toward the garage but come to a screeching halt in front of my motorcycle. I can’t exactly put a baby seat on the back of my bike.
“Shit.”
I debate calling one of my brothers to pick me up, but this isn’t news I want to share more than once. Ride share it is.
“Hey, Trent,” I greet the doorman ofRumrunnerten minutes later.
Rumrunneris a speakeasy complete with a hidden door down an alley you wouldn’t otherwise notice. Tourists have to solve a riddle to enter, but locals don’t. It’s also where Kai’s girlfriend, Harper, works and where my brothers have gathered tonight to watch Harper’s grand gesture to Kai. Daisy couldn’t have picked a worse night to drop a baby on my doorstep.
“Are you carrying a baby?”
Does he think I’m carrying a doll in the baby seat?
“Is it your baby?”
I growl. Adele isn’t an ‘it’.
He holds up his hands. “Whatever. Go on inside. Take your baby into a bar. Great parenting.”
I freeze. I don’t want to be a parent. But maybe bringing Adele here was a bad idea. Maybe I should call my brothers and ask them to come outside.
“Zane!” Miles waves at me. “What are you waiting for? A personal invitation?”
Too late to escape now.
Harper and Kai are kissing on the stage while some Taylor Swift song plays in the background as I enter. I guess the grand gesture is over and they’ve moved on to the loving portion of the evening. Good for them.
I don’t want a relationship, but I’m happy for my baby brother. He’s been mooning over Harper for months. I’m glad they worked things out.
I make my way toward my brothers. Rhett has his arms wrapped around his fiancée, Dakota, as they sway to the music while Jaxon and his wife, Blossom, whisper to each other.
“Where are Eli and Paisley?” I ask Miles since he’s the only brother not involved with a partner.
“They’re staying home with Stephanie.”
Eli’s girlfriend, Paisley, recently had a baby girl. I’m not surprised they stayed home. My oldest brother turned into an overprotective brute the second Paisley announced she was pregnant.
“Why are you late?” Miles points to the baby seat. “And what prank are we pulling?”
Adele lets out a wail and his eyes widen. “You brought a real baby as a prank? This is going to be epic.”
I scowl. “Adele isn’t a prank.”
Although, I can understand why he’d think she is. I’ve been pulling pranks on my brothers since I figured out how to lock the inside of a closet door.
His brow wrinkles. “Are you babysitting? Dude.” He shakes his head. “I didn’t realize the lengths you’d go to for a woman.”
Honestly, I don’t have to do much to get a woman. Crook my finger, show them my dimples. Not much else needed.
Adele lets out another wail. I jiggle the baby seat but she continues to cry. Great.
I unbuckle her and lift her into my arms. I sway her from side to side, but she doesn’t calm down.
“What is happening?” Rhett asks.
