A little while later, we are at my mom’s house along with my entire family. I give my mom the gift I picked out, her favorite perfume in a special-edition bottle she can set on her dresser, and Hudson and I separate as we catch up with different people.
Macy and Jaxon had brought aa, Macy’s sister, who, after going through a rough patch, is blossoming living with the newly married couple. To me, the teenager already feels like part of my family. While Macy and I speak, my mom grabs Hannah’s hand and drags her into the kitchen for homemade brownies, and it is obvious Hannah basks in the glow of all the mothering she gets from Christine. Nothing makes my mother happier than taking in a stray and making them feel at home.
I spend a few minutes talking with Jaxon and Macy and Willow, who is with them, before moving on to Damon and Evie. “So how’s my retired brother?” I ask, nudging him in the ribs.
After a horrible concussion on the field last month, Damon’s doctors had looked at his history of head injuries and told him if he continued to play, he’d risk the rest of life as he knows itmentally. Damon hadn’t had to think twice. He’d chosen to be around for his family, taking a job with Dare Nation, and is now learning the ropes of being an agent.
“How does it look like I’m doing?” He wraps an arm around Evie and pulls her close, pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I’m fine.”
“How are you?” Evie asks.
I smile. “I’m good! Busy with work but that’s nothing new.”
“And Hudson? He’s treating you well?” Damon asks. “Or do I have to kick his ass?”
I roll my eyes. “Oh my God, you sound like Braden. Stop! He’s been amazing.”
“Good,” Evie says, then glances at her husband. “And you need to mind your own business.”
I grin and shoot my sister-in-law an appreciative look. “See? We women stick together. Now I’m going to get a soda. See you later.”
I walk into the large state-of-the-art kitchen my mother adores, with the stainless steel, high-end appliances, and custom white Italian-made cabinets.
Grabbing a can of soda from the Sub-Zero refrigerator and a glass from the cabinet, I add ice and pour my drink before joining Austin and Quinn by the center island. Jenny snuggles against my brother, her big blue eyes on me. She holds out her arms and, while making bubbles with her mouth, reaches for me, practically throwing herself forward.
“Come here, my favorite little girl.” I settle the baby on my hip and place a smacking kiss on her chubby cheek. “She smells so good.”
“It’s the shampoo. Nothing smells better than a freshly washed baby,” Quinn says with a grin.
“It’s getting her clean that’s the challenge. All the water splashing with her hands and feet.” Austin looks at his daughterwith so much love in his eyes, it is a beautiful thing to see, and when he turns to Quinn, love explodes between them.
My heart squeezes, and for the first time since all of my brothers have found love, I can say the same. Suddenly I miss Hudson and need to feel his arms around me so I can bask in our earlier admission. I love him, and he loves me back. Holding back my smile so my smart sibling doesn’t question why I’ve suddenly begun grinning I hand Jenny back to Quinn and go looking for Hudson.
***
Hudson
Braden and I huddle in the study while the party goes on in other rooms of the house. There is a sofa against one wall where the women left their handbags, and Jenny’s diaper bag sits on the floor beside the couch. The study has French doors that remain open, because nothing about this conversation is that private. Although we work together, neither of us want to talk about our clinic plans while at another job, so now is as good a time as any.
Braden leans against the desk in the room while I pace the hardwood floor covered by an area rug.
“The bank wants collateral, which I don’t have,” I say, picking up the conversation where we left off last time we had this discussion.
Braden narrows his gaze. “You know, you never did tell me about the talk you had with your father. Just that he turned you down. But you hinted there was more to the conversation than a flat-out no, so what gives?”
Despite the fact that I am frustrated with my inability to get money from my father, I haven’t told my friend the entire conversation. Not only are the stipulations ridiculous, but I am embarrassed to have such an ass for a parent.
With a groan, I run a hand over my hair. “You wouldn’t believe it if I told you.”
Braden folds his arms across his chest and meets my gaze. “Try me. We can’t work this out if I don’t know everything.”
I nod. “Well, my father didn’t outright say no to giving me the money. He just placed some conditions on releasing the funds that I haven’t figured a way around.”
Eyebrows raised, Braden waits.
I wince as I say, “He’ll give me the money if I get married and provide him and my mother an heir.”
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. What century is this?” Braden’s outrage matches my own.
