Ruby stops us as we approach the door to the backroom and blocks our way.
“Hey, Rubes.” Callie gives her a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.
Ruby gives her a full body scan, then fixes her gaze on Callie’s stomach. It’s wild how the second people know, her belly becomes the only thing they see.
She flicks her gaze up to meet mine. “I hear congratulations are in order, but you better fix this.” She thumbs toward the backroom. “We already have a problem with you and Decker. I’m not gonna have any more animosity between your group of boys. I swear, you’re like a bunch of teenage girls.” She gives Callie’s shoulder a quick squeeze then disappears behind the bar.
“I guess that’s the best we can expect from Ruby.” Callie smiles at me.
“A scolding instead of a hug. Seems about right.”
Callie twists the doorknob. I close my eyes for half a second and take one last breath then follow her in.
Hayes is planted at one end of the table, arms crossed. Leighton’s beside him, leaned back with her legs crossed, wine in hand, smirking at us as though she already knows how this is gonna go.
“So did you guys know about this too? Was I the only one in the dark?” Hayes asks Decker and Easton.
“Fuck no. I didn’t know.” Easton sips his beer, shaking his head adamantly.
“And you?” Hayes swings his gaze to Decker. “I understand brotherly loyalty, but I expected more from you.”
“You think I’d keep this from you? I warned him not to make a mess of things.”
“They didn’t know.” Callie draws in a breath and tilts her chin up as though she’s erecting a shield against the barbs about to be thrown her way.
Hayes’s gaze lifts, his eyes snagging on our linked fingers. “Ah, the happy couple has arrived.”
I hate the bite in his tone.
Leighton smiles and sips her wine, placing it on the table and standing.
“Leighton, united front.” Hayes’s eyes follow his fiancée.
The last thing I want is to cause problems between them.
She waves him off and rolls her eyes, safely out of his line of sight. “Official congratulations. I’m excited to be an aunt.” She hugs Callie, then shifts her attention to me. “Foster? You were a mystery man for a while, and I’m happy it’s you.”
My head rears back. “You are?”
“I’m not.” Hayes raises his hand. “In case anyone was wondering.”
“Oh, shh…” Leighton waves at him again and sets her gaze on me. “Of course. You two are going to make a gorgeous baby, and I can’t wait to spoil him or her.”
“Thanks.” I shift awkwardly in place.
Callie smiles at Leighton, then glances at me, and her smile blooms as though she can’t fight it. It shouldn’t hit me like it does. But something warm twists under my ribs.
Hayes glares at Leighton, but she doesn’t seem bothered, going back to her chair and sipping her wine.
“I’m not in agreement.” Easton stands and grabs hold of Callie, swinging her around. “Our baby would’ve been cuter, but congratulations, I guess. I’m ready to be a stand-in uncle.” He winks.
Something like a growl rises up my throat, and Easton laughs, slapping me in the chest. “Congrats, asshole—or should we say Daddy Asshole?” He places his hand between us.
There was so much competition between us around Callie last year, but he doesn’t seem to care now.
I shake his hand.
It does feel nice to have the news out. To not be hiding anymore.
