“Maybe a love haiku,” Jax says. “But I’m thinking they’re more the types to draw hearts with their names in them all over their notebooks.”
“Oh yeah,” Jace agrees. “I can totally see that.”
“Goodbye,” Xave says loudly and points at the door.
“You’re really going to kick out your favorite cousins?” Jace says, giving Xave some convincing puppy eyes.
“Yes.” He presses a quick kiss against my temple. “Now get out.”
“So rude,” Jace huffs. “All because you can’t wait to give Damon some vitamin D.”
“Pretty sure that ship has already sailed,” Killian says with a smirk.
“Oh, it definitely did.” Jax adds and points to where we were just laying before they came in. “There’s a reason we sat on this side of the couch.”
My face flames hot, and I’m pretty sure I look like a horrified tomato as Xave just laughs good naturedly. “Jealous?” he asks.
“Nope,” Killian says at the same time Jace says, “Hell yeah,” and Jax just smiles enigmatically.
“Keep us posted on what you find?” Xave asks, his tone serious again.
All three of his cousins nod, their expressions as serious as his.
“Welcome to the family, Damon,” Jace says as the three of them head toward the door.
“You’ll get used to the chaos,” Jax adds.
“We put the fun in dysfunctional,” Killian says over his shoulder.
“Thanks,” I say, feeling both at ease and completely out of place. “For tonight, and for everything.”
“Of course.” Killian says as they file out the door. “That’s what family does.”
Xave holds me a little tighter, and I smile as I try to cover up the lump of emotion in my throat.
The door swings shut behind them, and Xave pulls me into a hug.
“They’re not so bad once you get used to them,” he says, holding me tight.
I rest my cheek on his shoulder and breathe him in. “I like them.”
“That’s good, because they like you, too.” He presses a kiss against my temple. “How about we go clean up? Because I don’t know about you, but things are getting a bit uncomfortable.”
I nod against his shoulder, and he waits until I let go before he drops his arms and steps back.
23
XAVE
Damon isquiet while we clean up, and I can tell he’s distracted as we head back into the living room.
“Do you want anything to drink?” I ask as I turn the heat option on the fireplace off but leave the flames on.
“Yeah, thanks.” Damon settles on the couch and rests his head against the back cushion.
We don’t keep a lot of supplies in the cabin, but there’s always drinks and nonperishable food stocked, and I open the pantry to check our options.
“Do you want water, a sports drink, or soda?” I ask.
