Javier is sitting in the same ugly brown chair he’s had my whole life, watching football with Seb, and Mase is crouched down next to him, somehow making them look much smaller than they are.
Spanish music drifts in from the kitchen, where Rosa has been no doubt slaving away all day, and Juliette is getting to know Addie, relaxing on the couch.
I haven’t been so at home somewhere in a long time.
“I invited your mom,” Rosa says sympathetically. “She couldn’t make it.”
Of course, she couldn’t.
Rosa has always tried to include her. Even if Mama’s never accepted an invite once, she’s never stopped asking.
“You know, after all this time, I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that this is what our relationship is. One from afar. I know she loves me, and maybe I will always pine for more.” I shrug. “On the bright side, our relationship is much better than it was when I was a kid. But the people in this room are the family who show up, time and time again. I can’t force someone to have a relationship with me.” I watch the guys laugh with Claudina and see the pure joy radiating from them. “If she eventually wants more of a relationship, I’d love that. But I’m not going to push it and set myself up for disappointment any longer. I’ve been doing that most of my life. Now, I’m putting myself first, and I’m going to concentrate on the people who have always been there for me.”
“I understand, and you’ll always have me.” She squeezes my hand, and then the landline rings, and Rosa’s face lights up. “Be back.”
She runs off to the kitchen to grab the phone, and I’m wondering who’s made her so excited.
“It’s probably one of her sisters,” Nate says as he stands, walking toward me.
I nod toward Seb. “Look at him.”
He’s sitting on the floor with his back to the wall, his legs stretched and crossed, his phone in his hand, and his eyes gluedto it. His brows drop, then they rise, then he shakes his head, smiling, before his fingers start moving across the phone.
“Who do you think he’s texting? I’ve never seen Seb look so…”
“Happy?”
“Yeah. He’s always so broody and grumpy-looking. Not with me, but the rest of the world.” Seb bites his bottom lip, then shakes his head again. “Is it that girl you think?”
“Pen pal girl?” He shrugs. “Maybe. Who knows. He’s elusive as fuck, and he’d never tell us if it were.”
Nate’s phone dings with Ethan’s name flashing across the screen.
“Let me get this. You okay?”
“Of course.” I kiss his cheek. “I’m almost more comfortable here than I am at home.”
He walks off, satisfied that I’m good, and I make my way over to Ads and Juliette.
“How are you feeling?”
“Terrible,” Juliette whines. “This getting pregnant shit is not for the weak.”
“I can only imagine.”
She glances at my neck and smiles, “That’s gorgeous. Is it new?”
“It is. Nate just got it for me.” I hold it in my hand and twirl the diamond butterfly around. “I know it’s silly, but it makes me feel closer to her.”
“The first time I met you, I told her I could sense her. I don’t find anything weird anymore.” She pats the couch next to her. “I won’t bite.”
“I know, but I want to keep my distance from you in case I’m contagious. I don’t want to be blamed for getting the pregnant lady sick.”
Harrison is in alpha protective mode with this pregnancy, and who knows how he’ll react.
“Oh, please, once Claudina came home from your place with the bug, she insisted on sleeping with me for a week straight.” Her hand flies to her stomach, and she scrunches up her face. “Oh no.”
I stand up straighter. “Are you okay?” I ask nervously, and that must get the attention of Harrison, who’s up and by her side in one second flat.
