I glanced at him. “What? That it’s a habit?”
“No. I have no doubt that you’re right about Cage. I’m sure he does love you and your leg. Any guy would be a fool not to.”
It was crazy for me to even suggest that Cage could love me after one meeting, but it meant the world to me that Luke said that with complete sincerity.
“Cage,” Jessica whispered as if he were a ghost. “What are you doing here?”
I stepped back, looking between her and Luke.
Luke cleared his throat and I knew… I just knew he was going to say something to make everything right. That’s what he did. He fought for the people he loved most in the world, and I was on that very lucky list.
“Lake and Cage met in Omaha when we were there looking for you. I think my dear sister fell in love with your neighbor, Jess.”
And just like that… Luke stole my heart. He let his past go and gave me my chance at a future. I nearly cried when he smiled, the one that said he was happy for me.
Cage took the last two steps and gave Jessica a sad smile. Then he hugged her. Yep, I had theverybest men in my life. Jessica hugged him tight, like she needed a minute to get her emotions together before he released her.
“I wondered if that’s why you moved to Minneapolis of all places.” Luke smirked while picking up Grant, who had hisarms outstretched to him.
“What?” I narrowed my eyes. “Youknew he played for Minnesota?”
Luke shrugged. “Of course. You mean…” he laughed “…you didn’t?”
I shook my head feeling like the dumbest person in the world. How did everyone in my family know and follow the man of my dreams except me?
Jessica released Cage and took a deep breath. Both my brother and I waited for them to exchange something more than just a hug, but they didn’t, and I loved them both for it.
“He’s a damn good catch, Lake.” Jessica squinted one eye at Cage. “But Lake’s my sister, so fair warning, Monaghan, if you hurt her I’ll kill you.”
“Thanks, babe.” Luke shook his head. “That was supposed to be my line. You’re so emasculating.”
“Whatever, Jones. I’m starving. Let’s raid the kitchen. Carrying your baby takes a lot of energy.” She rubbed her belly as they headed toward the kitchen.
I turned and fisted Cage’s shirt, looking up at him. “Told ya they’d love you.”
“Mmm,” he hummed. His dimpled smile melting everything below my waist. “You know what I love?”
“Me, I hope.”
Cage chuckled, threading his fingers through my hair. “Yes, and I love that you moving to Minneapolis had nothing to do with me… that we just found each other.” He pressed his lips to mine, kissing me slowly.
The truth for me wasn’t explained by simple coincidence. Everything that had happened in my life forced me to find meaning and direction—a reason to keep moving forward. Ibelieved my relocating to Minneapolis, out of endless possible destinations, had everything to do with Cage. Time told many stories and it was time for ours.
“I’m leavingyour father and stealing your boyfriend. Is that going to be an issue, Lake?” my mom asked as we stared out the windows overlooking the circle of testosterone.
My dad, Cage, Luke, my other brothers, Lane and Liam, and my brother-in-law, Drake, stood around the grill drinking beer. Even Cage cheated on his no alcohol, treating-my-body-like-a-temple routine and had a beer with the other men I loved most in the world.
I giggled like a schoolgirl at my mom’s comment. Thoughts of Cage did that to me. “I think itcouldbe an issue, but feel free to ask him if he’s interested.”
“I might ask him too.” Lara teased the rim of her wine glass along her bottom lip as she drooled over my guy. “Do you think he’d go for an older woman with stretch marks and deflated breasts?”
“Maybe.” I shrugged, finishing off the last bit of wine in my glass. “I hear he’s dated an amputee before. Must mean he’s OK with some minor imperfections.”
“How long did it take him to notice your missing leg?” my mom asked with a Cheshire cat grin on her face.
“Hmm… I think it was maybe the fourth or fifth time we were having sex—in the same night of course.” I winked at Anne, my sister-in-law.
She turned almost as red as me.
