Cullen pulled me in for a gentle hug. “Sorry our brother was a dick. It’s nice to meet you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too.” I gave him a tentative smile. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
“I’m good.”
“I’ll take some wine,” Cricket said. “But I’ll get it. Can I pour you some?”
I nodded, following her into the kitchen.
* * *
Cameron
“Are you on your fuckin’ period? What the fuck is your issue?” I demanded as I stalked toward my brother.
Hatch laid a hand on my shoulder to keep me at bay. “Give it a beat.”
“Hatch,” I bit out.
Hatch turned to Cade. “But seriously, Cade, what the fuck?”
Cade motioned toward me. “He’s been unreliable, missing for days, completely blows off work and any responsibility handed to him, and we’re supposed to polish his knob because he brought some girl home?”
“That’s the last time I allow you to speak about Tess disrespectfully,” I growled. “Next time you do it, you’ll be drinkin’ your meals through a straw for six weeks.”
Hatch sighed. “Alright girls, you’re both pretty, how about we all just cool our jets and pretend like we’re all brothers who actually love each other.”
“Seriously, Cam, where have youbeen?” Cade asked, although, his tone was softer.
“If you come back inside, and promise not to piss on the rug, I’ll get you a bag of frozen peas for yournutsack and Tess and I will explain everything.”
“Who the hell is this Tess—”
I shoved him as a warning to watch his tone, then we walked back inside and I wrapped an arm around Tess’s waist. “You good?”
She nodded giving me a squeeze, then I asked my family to gather in the living room.
“Thank you all for coming,” I said. “Tess and I—”
“I swear to god, if this is an Amway presentation,” Cade started.
“Cade, shut the fuck up!” Hatch snarled, while Cricket shifted a little closer, her fist raised to strike.
Cade placed the peas center mass over his dick as if to protect the family jewels, and Cricket scowled at him. “First warning, big brother. Don’t piss me off again.” She faced me again. “Continue.”
“So, like I said, Tess and I are engaged and so I guess wanted y’all to know that.”
Tess sighed. “What I think Cameron is trying to say is, I’m sure you have a lot of questions and we’re here to answer them.”
“Where the hell have you been?” Cade started.
“Where did you meet?” Cullen asked.
“How did you meet?” Cricket asked.
All talking at once.
“One question at a time?” Tess suggested. “Maybe we raise hands?”
