“Coming with Taylin. I think he mentioned going to find the others.”
Monty kept the groan all in his head at who the others were and the sight of Taylin with Bowie, Lennon, Wilder heading their way.
As a group, they headed towards the stables, where Bowie informed them, the brothers were.
The sound of raised voices traveled from inside as they approached the main barn.
“Move sideways, this fucking thing is awkward to carry?” Kodi complained.
“I carried in two on my fucking own, so shut up with the whining,” Rue groused. “Why y’all stood around the pile of shit? Am I missing something?”
“Silas is engaged,” Laken announced with what sounded like glee to Monty, who tripped over his booted feet just as Jupiter spoke.
“Our brother has joined the insanity club.”
“Engaged?” That sounded like Kodi.
They all picked up the pace, Taylin leading the charge with Ziggy right behind him, giving Monty a clue who they might be referring to by the confused looks everyone else was sporting.
“What? They love me the same as everyone does,” Jupiter said, making no sense.
“I think Ethan is rubbing off on you,” came Silas’s response.
There was a pause before laughter spilled out of the doors in front of them.
“So have you told Popi yet?”
To Kodi’s question, Silas answered, “No.”
“Told Popi what?” Taylin asked with amusement as he came to a halt in the open doorway, just a little breathless.
“That I’m engaged to Ziggy,” Silas announced proudly, staring at Ziggy in a way that made Monty wonder how the heck they’d all missed it.
The barn erupted, and Monty was glad of the distraction with how Rue was staring right at him with the same look he’d worn when he’d kissed Monty senseless. It made no fucking sense. What the hell was with the hot and cold routine?
Monty had whiplash.
Why couldn’t he just be one thing and stick with it!
Chapter Thirteen
Kendrick
Kendrick ran a critical eye over the living room, ignoring the nervous ball making its presence known in the base of his stomach. He fluffed the cushions once more and switched on a lamp next to the massive sofa. His eyes narrowed before he lit the candles sitting around on ceramic plates in the corners of the room. He noted several needed replacing, as he used them often when he came to read or watch TV. The scent of citrus tickled his nose as he stepped back to view the room once more.
Nodding his approval, he walked through to the kitchen, placing beer glasses on a tray along with several bottles of beer. He’d picked up some of the IPA, but he’d chosen others too when Monty had no actual preference, from what he could recall.
Adding bowls with snacks in them, he took the tray through to the living room and laid it on the large oak coffee table that sat in front of the couch.
Was he trying too hard?
Possibly. He hadn’t been this fussy in a long time, and it was disconcerting when he understood it was because he wanted to give a good impression and get to know Rue and Monty—with their clothes on. Doubt crept in to mix it up with the nerves. Then came the second-guessing as he eyed the tray, then the flickering candles. It all screamed romance.
Christ, he was romancing them.
There is nothing wrong with that.
Please don’t fucking start. We don’t know whether they’ll show.
