Raine waved. Hammer shook his hand.
Then Liam followed suit. “Are you lads on the football team together?”
“Yeah, I play safety,” Casen replied. “Hudson’s our new starting receiver. Guy’s got serious hands.”
Hudson looked embarrassed by the praise. “Or I just got lucky with a few good throws.”
“Lucky, my ass,” Seth said with a grin. “You earned that starting position.”
With a shrug, Hudson changed the subject. “Can we swim now?”
Seth nodded. “Be sure you each grab a towel from the linen closet before you dive in.”
“Got it.” Hudson took off running, Casen right behind him.
“And don’t forget sunscreen!” Heavenly called as the boys darted for the patio.
“We know,” Hudson said with exaggerated patience as he slung open the sliding door.
“Come on out,” Beck called, closing the lid on the grill.
As the teenagers tossed their towels on the nearest lounge and hastily applied sunscreen, the rest of the men meandered outside, Liam and Hammer greeting Beck with good-natured jibes and smiles.
The second the door closed behind them, Raine whirled on Heavenly, who resumed prepping the food. “Okay, how are you all really adjusting to this new development? I’m sure the fact Seth has a sixteen-year-old son was mind-boggling.”
Heavenly nodded. “That’s an understatement. I mean, he’s no monk, but…”
“Right? And going from a threesome to suddenly having a teenager in the house… I can’t even imagine the upheaval.”
Heavenly pulled cherry tomatoes and chopped celery from the refrigerator, laying them out on the tray with the accompanying dip. “It was awkward at first. Hudson’s a good kid, but when he first arrived? He was so angry at everything and everyone, especially Seth.”
“That’s what my brother said. River swore the kid looked just like Seth, but had an attitude so toxic it was almost nuclear.”
“Seth is trying so hard to be the father Hudson needs, and it’s working…most of the time. But there are moments when he…reverts. I see the attitude again.”
“Well, he’s a teenage boy. I was twelve when River left home, but I remember the way he acted.” Raine rolled her eyes. “He was a shit, always playing pranks on me.”
“Hudson is a total teenage boy. Some backtalk and rebellion is expected. But I can see how much pressure Seth’s putting on himself to be everything the kid needs.”
“That’s a lot for anyone, but especially for the man who’s already lost a son so tragically.”
Heavenly pulled crackers from the pantry and sliced some cheese from the fridge before retrieving another tray. “Exactly, and I keep trying to help out, lighten Seth’s load, find ways to make him smile?—”
“A good blow job always does the trick.” Raine winked, taking over the appetizer plate.
Heavenly rolled her eyes. “I’m being serious.”
“I am, too. Don’t underestimate the value of a good orgasm to put a smile on your man’s face.”
“Normally, I’d agree. But everything is more complicated now.”
Understanding broke across Raine’s face. “Oh, because you and Beck want babies. Is Seth even more reluctant now?”
Heavenly glanced toward the patio and lowered her voice. “I don’t know where we stand. The night of your wedding, he came around, and we started…trying. But then he had to go to New York. His mother found the twins in bed with the same girl and?—”
“All hell broke loose?”
Heavenly nodded. “Then Hudson turned up, and…we really haven’t talked about having kids again.”
