“Uhh, no,” she laughs, shaking her head. “For various reasons, I don’t think we’ll be having kids. And baby poop makes my eggsschloopright back up my fallopian tubes.” She shudders violently and both Vi and I laugh so hard I’m wheezing. I have to agree with her on that one. “I’m perfectly fine staying the awesomely cool Aunt Scottie.”
I walk over and hug her hard. “I’m so glad my kids have you as their awesomely cool Aunt Scottie. And baby poopisthe worst.”
“How did we go from talking about orgasms to baby poop?” Scottie asks, leaning back.
“Isn’t this how all friends’ conversations go?” Vi teases, and I grin.
God, I needed this. I slip one arm around Scottie and the other around Violette, hugging them both at the same time. “I love you, crazies. Thanks for being my squad.”
“You’re stuck with us,” Scottie says, and I smile. Thank God for small miracles.
Cal has Penny on his shoulders, her fingers fisted like a death grip in his hair. Hollie had wanted King’s attention, so he’d handed the baby off to me so he could pick up his soon-to-be step-daughter, if he has anything to do with it. He’s obsessed with Violette, and I’d be shocked if they’re not engaged within the next year. He’s practically chomping at the bit to marry her and give her more kids.
Bea is zonked out, happily snoozing away in the crook of my arm. I’d heard her fussing from inside, could see each of the girls taking turns trying to soothe her, and then when little miss feisty pants had screeched like a banshee inside, I’d taken the situation into my own hands.
Giving Teddy and the girls a little kid-free time is the least I can do. We’re three grown men, we can handle a couple kids, right? Dalton has been a huge help, too. What a kid he is. So mature, although I sometimes think I can see a hint of sadness in his brown eyes. I can only imagine how much he’s missing his dad.
Cal steps up next to me, Penny’s feet kicking at his chest. Henotches his chin down at the sleeping infant in my arm. “If you’re trying to win brownie points, I think it’s working.”
Raising one brow, I shrug. “Just trying to give them some kid-free time.”
“Mmhmm,” he mutters, his tone indicating he doesn’t believe a word I said. “Don’t fuck this up, man. If I have to hear about how you hurt her feelings again, I’m gonna have to hit you.”
“I’d expect nothing less.” And it’s the truth. I sigh, shifting the sleeping baby closer to my chest. She makes a little noise and I can’t help the grin that cracks over my face. Fuck she’s cute.
I’m crazy about these kids. I’m crazy about their mom. Totally enamored. But I’m not ready to tell Cal that, not yet, anyway.
I had admitted as much to Teddy that morning in my apartment, but it’s different coming clean about my feelings to my best friend. To her brother. The guy that’s always had her back, watched out for her, and just wants what’s best for her and her kids.
We both know that might not be me.
“This—” he says roughly, gesturing to the baby I’m holding, squeezing his arms around his nieces’ legs, and then to his nephew in the middle of the yard, “—is her world. If she’s letting you into this part of her life… Dammit, man, just be careful with her. Please.”
I nod sagely. There’s nothing else I can say in the moment.
“Hey, who is in charge of manning the grill?” King asks then, jogging over to us. Cal swings Penny off his shoulders, making her shriek again, startling Bea in my arms. I rock her gently until she’s back to sleep, then glance over at both of them.
“Grill is around the back, I can get it lit if one of you wants to patty up the burgers.” I hitch my chin toward the side of the house.
“Kids, who wants to learn how to make hamburgers withyour hands?” King asks over his shoulder, to which Dalton and both girls shout yesses into the evening air. “Lead the way, Sup.”
Ten minutes later, we’ve got all three of the big kids in the kitchen with freshly washed hands. Standing on chairs at the kitchen counter, Penny and Hollie are helping smash the burger meat into some kind of oblong shaped patties, to which King is secretly fixing into circular disks where they can’t see, and Dalton is helping Cal mix together a salad.
I’ve got the grill turned on to heat but with Bea still asleep in my arms I’m learning it’s quite difficult to do anything one handed. I’m gaining a new respect for how Teddy manages to do absolutely everything and making it seem effortless in the process.
A soft knock on the slider door pulls my attention, and then I smile when all three women enter, glasses of wine or whisky in their hands. Cal drops a kiss to Scottie’s mouth as she sidles up to him and Dalton to peek in on their progress with the salad, and Violette steps over to King and Hollie.
“You’ve been holding her for a while, do you want me to take her?” Teddy asks as she comes to stand in front of me, her eyes soft as she gazes at her baby in my arms. I like the look on her face. Soft and serene and relaxed. Happy.
“Nah,” I murmur quietly, letting my own gaze drift over her face. Her hair looks so soft, piled into a claw clip on the back of her head, while little tendrils frame her face. Clear rimmed glasses in place and just the hint of makeup across her cheeks, which are flushed pink from the wine she’s consumed. Her lashes look long and soft behind the lenses of her glasses. “I got her, Mama.”
“Xander,” she whispers, raising her eyes to mine, and I’m drawn inescapably into her silver-gray gaze. “You have to stop saying it like that.”
I grin, ducking my head closer to hers. “Like what?Mama?” I rasp the word the way I know makes her knees weak. Herpupils blow wide, her mouth parting. Goddamn I want to kiss her.
“Yes,” she breathes almost raggedly, and I let my eyes drop to her mouth.
“Why?” I murmur. “You don’t like it?”
