Seth pocketed his phone and turned back toward the dining room when Matt walked through the door.
Immediately, he pulled Grace into a hug with a smile. “How’s married life treating you?”
“It’s been less than twenty-four hours, but so far? Wonderful.” Grace beamed up at him. “I’m so glad you’re here. Danny is home with a sick baby, and don’t get me started on the twins.”
“Hungover as fuck?”
“Language!” Grace snapped, then sighed. “But yes.”
“Called it.”
“Me, too.” Carl smirked, moving in and shaking Matt’s hand.
“Some things never change…” Seth’s brother grabbed a coffee and made his way through the crowd, stopping to greet Gene with a hearty handshake and a few words Beck couldn’t hear from across the room.
He turned back to Seth. They exchanged bro hugs and a few words. Matt said something that made Seth smile, but the happiness didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Heavenly approached next. Matt hugged her briefly before he strolled in Beck’s direction and shook his hand, the gesture welcoming. “Morning. How’re you holding up?”
“Fine. You?”
“Just ‘fine’?” Matt raised a golden brow.
Beck glanced Heavenly’s way, then shrugged. “You know.”
“Yeah.” Matt looked back toward his mom as he grabbed a pastry off a nearby platter, voice dropping low. “She’ll come around.”
“For your brother’s sake, I hope so.”
“Give it time. No other trouble in paradise?”
Beck frowned. What was Seth’s brother getting at? “Why would there be?”
“Well…” Matt’s gaze drifted back toward Seth, who was rearranging chairs that didn’t need rearranging. Matt’s brow furrowed slightly. “Something’s up with Seth. Any ideas?”
“Not entirely,” Beck replied, purposely vague. If Seth was struggling with the fact that Heavenly was pregnant, it wasn’t his place to spill the news. “But it’s bugging the shit out of me. When this is over, he and I will be having a long talk.”
“Good plan.” Matt studied Seth for another moment. “Don’t let him fester. When he stews, he usually?—”
“Pulls inward and stops talking? Yeah, I know.”
The look Matt shot him was both wry and full of respect. “Clearly, you do.”
“Not my first rodeo with your brother. I’ll get him sorted out.”
Matt hesitated. “He’s lucky to have you. I know you two aren’t, like…together, but after all the shit he’s been through, I’m glad he’s surrounded by people who love him.”
Beck couldn’t help but smile. “When Seth and I first met Heavenly, we fucking hated each other. But the bastard has grown on me.”
Matt laughed. “I’m glad. If no one else has said it yet, welcome to the family.”
That actually choked Beck up. “Thanks. I like you a hell of a lot more than Jack and Connor.”
“God, I hope so. They’re fucking morons.”
“They are.” Beck lifted his coffee mug.
Matt did the same as they clinked and shared a grin. “Hope to see you at Thanksgiving or Christmas, man.”
