I pull away when she bites my lip. She knows that gets my cock begging for attention.
“You want me to drive to Mom’s house with a boner?” I ask, brushing a few stray locks behind her ears. “Or would you rather I get my fill really quickly?”
She trails her hands from my neck, down my chest, and lower still. “Just letting you know we’re in the clear.”
“My dick sure got the message, baby.” I grip her wrists in one hand before she makes the situation worse. “Stop teasing. You should’ve said we’re in the green zone before you got in the shower, baby. Fucking you was all I could think about while you were in there, but as much as I want to, we don’t have time. We’re in for a treat tonight. I don’t want to miss that, so behave.”
She puts on a fake pout. “Whatever’s happening must be ridiculously important if you’re forfeiting sex.”
“See? You get it.” I stamp a kiss on her forehead. “Now, can we please go?”
***
My father, together with Mia’s and Vee’s, takes charge of the barbeque. It’s not uncommon for Mom to invite them over for a get-together. It’s also not uncommon for three grown-ass men to burn the meat. Instead of committing to the task, they chat and bicker like teenagers, and the cooking part slips their attention. One time, we ended up ordering pizza because the meat they cooked was inedible.
I don’t bother offering my help. Blair and Vee already have me on kitchen-to-garden food-transfer duty along with Conor and—if he gets his ass here on time—Colt. The girls are setting the table and Theo’s in charge of the makeshift bar while Shawn and Jack entertain the kids.
“Shit,” Conor huffs, looking out the living room window. “I need to get out there. Too many kids, not enough adults.”
The ratio is about three and a half adults per kid in this family, but Conor’s eight-month-old twin boys require constant supervision. There’s only two of them, yet they’reeverywhere.
“Yeah, go on. I’ve got this,” I say, hugging two crates of Corona to my chest. Food can wait. We need fuel first. “Imagine what it’ll be like when they start walking.”
Conor lets out a half laugh half pained groan, hurrying outside to where the twins have attached themselves to Jack’s legs.
I get back into the kitchen, eyeing the last case of beer. One trip outside is better than two, but no way I can stash it on top of the two I’m already holding.
Shit. Two trips it is. Colt’s getting a whack across his head as soon as he shows up. Not only should he be helping me, but Mom’s already jittery he’s late. Logan’s not here yet with Cass and the boys, but Logan being late is not news. We’d be more concerned if he showed up on time.
Colt being late, on the other hand, has everyone on edge. He’s not particularly punctual when we go out drinking, but he’s always on time for Mom. And he fucking knows tonight’s important, so he should be here by now. It’s already well past four and he’s a no-show.
“What’s wrong?” Blair asks, following me into the kitchen as I return for the third case. “You look tense.”
She doesn’t realize how important tonight is. Technically Colt doesn’t either, but I didhintat it. You’d think he’d take that hint and get here on time. It’s a rarity we need to spell shit out to one another. Conor figured it out no problem, though given the looks he’s been sending my way since I got here, he might’ve misunderstood.
I think he expects an engagement announcement.
It’s probably overdue by now, but B and I have chatted extensively about our future plans. We will get married. And we will have kids, maybe not next month but it is happening and we’re both in agreement. I could pop the question right now, but I know B’s main focus is her career, so for now, I’m supporting her along the way by giving her all the time she needs.
“I’m fine, baby,” I say, opening the fridge to check how many trips it’ll take to transport all the damn food the women in this family have prepared. “Just pissed off at Colt. He’s skipping thehelpingpart—again.”
B laughs softly, pulling two salad bowls from the top shelf. “There’s twenty people here, Cody. I think we can manage without him.”
She’s right and wrong at the same time. Sure we can set up the table without his help, but he’ll miss the news if he doesn’t get a move on and I know he’ll fucking regret it.
“I know,” I say, catching her wrist to tug her closer.
One kiss before we get back outside where the whole family—minus Colt—is already by the table. Even Logan’s made it, with his two and a half kids; Cassidy’s pregnant again, her four-month bump proudly displayed. Logan hides all her baggy clothes whenever he knocks her up so everyone can immediately see she’s a two-pack. Fucking caveman.
Colt gets another thirty minutes to show up, but once we all finish devouring the first round of grilled meat, time’s up. Nico rises from his chair, a flute of champagne in hand like he’s about to make a toast.
“While we’re all here, I have some news,” he says, pulling Mia up. “We’ve decided to call off the wedding.”
A chorus of gasps rises over the table, and to be perfectly honest, my stomach sinks too. I didn’t expectthat.
They’ve been planning the wedding for months.
Blair grabs my hand under the table, gouging her long nails into my skin. I gently flex my fingers around hers.
