Seth clapped along with everyone else, watching his mother bask in the moment. After sixteen years alone, she deserved every second of this.
“I’m going to run to the ladies’ room,” Heavenly whispered near Seth’s ear. “Be right back.”
Seth nodded, brushing a quick kiss against her cheek.
As she slipped away, he turned to Beck. “While she’s gone, I’m going to grab the twins—before they get too shit-faced to have a coherent conversation.”
Beck’s brow lifted slightly, then he nodded. “Your son has glued himself to their side. Want me to keep him occupied?”
“Please. Jack and Connor are not the role models he needs.” Seth sighed.
“No shit.” Beck moved smoothly toward Hudson, who hovered near the twins at the bar, and steered him toward the cake table with some comment about checking out the dessert options.
Seth shot him a grateful look before trekking toward Jack and Connor. Both were swigging beers and scanning the room, no doubt looking for any eligible ladies under forty.
“Having fun?” Seth asked, brow raised.
“The free beer is helping mask the scent of Icy Hot and Depends. What’s not to love?” Jack quipped with a sardonic smirk.
Seth glanced across the room to where Cat stood near her brother Blake, laughing at something he’d said. She looked happy, relaxed. “Thanks for not eye-fucking Cat today. I know she’s one of the few girls here who might interest you.”
“You mean one of the few females here who isn’t old enough to be our mom,” Jack drawled.
“So you’re proud of our restraint?” Connor asked.
“No. I’m expressing my shock that miracles actually exist.” Seth snorted.
“We’re just in a giving mood. You’re welcome.” Jack grinned.
Connor chuckled and downed another swallow of his beer.
“Aren’t you adorable?” Seth stepped closer. This was his moment. Now or never. He lowered his voice. “Look, I’m giving you a heads-up. On Monday, I’m sitting Mom down and telling her the truth. I’m telling her that Heavenly, Beck, and I are getting married.”
Both twins stilled, their expressions shifting from amused to alert.
Jack recovered first, his smirk returning. “Wow. You’re really doing it? That’s brave. Stupid, but brave.”
That’s likely how the twins saw it…and they might be right.
“Yeah. But necessary.”
“If you say so…” Connor didn’t look convinced.
“Don’t worry,” Jack said, his tone dripping with mock sympathy. “You’ll always be our brother, even after Mom disowns you. We’ll come visit you in LA.”
Seth shot him a reproving glare, but Jack had inadvertently voiced his true fear, that after he confessed, his mom would never speak to him again.
On the other hand, he couldn’t build his future on half-truths and lies.
“Shut the fuck up,” he muttered.
Connor shifted, his tone turning serious. “You sure about this?”
“Yeah. And just so we’re clear—this is not a green light for you two to jump on some girl right under Mom’s nose. Got it? This is me saying that if you’re ever serious about sharing a wife someday, I’m paving the way. You’re welcome.”
Jack raised his beer in a mock toast. “Our hero. Probably not going to happen, but…”
“We appreciate the sentiment,” Connor finished.
