Chapter Fifty-Two
AYDA
Iwas reluctant to let go of Drew, even as we were ushered into the huge barn we’d built where the training room had once stood. It was destined to become the training room again, but before they’d ordered the equipment, Janette and Autumn had commandeered the space for our wedding reception. One end of the building was opened up to the new lawn area where a bonfire, more lights, flowers, and mason jars were dotted between seating areas and several coolers were filled with drinks.
It looked amazing.
The lights continued inside the barn, the same weaving pattern working their way between the exposed beams, while lanterns hung cheerfully, casting romantic lighting over the tables. It was like they’d pulled every dream I’d had and made it into a realization. In the center of it all was a log-lined dance floor lit only by the mason jars with candles. It was perfect in every way.
Drew led me to the table that was very clearly set aside for the two of us. Behind it was a banner that had the reaper and hounds nestled in a bed of flowers, which matched the ones we’d used for the wedding. It was a way of making the club apart of our wedding. As I stared up at it in awe, I couldn't help thinking it would make an amazing tattoo one day.
After the baby was born, of course.
We’d barely taken our seats when Slater and Jedd came and stole Drew with a promise to return him soon. Most of the guys were congregated around a cooler of beer, anyway. This was our day, and I wanted him to enjoy every aspect of it as much as I did. So I gave him a long lingering kiss and issued a warning to Slater to behave, and then I watched him go, beaming a smile at him when he glanced over his shoulder.
My kid brother soon slid into the seat next to me. He sprawled out with his long legs and crossed them under the table, shooting a lazy smile in my direction. He’d been spending so much time with Rubin and the girls lately, and I hadn’t seen much of him. He was making the most of the summer before football training started again.
“You know what this means, don’t you?” he asked, rolling his head in my direction and grinning with all his boyish charm.
“With no context, call me clueless. How about you enlighten me?” I teased, ruffling his hair and chuckling when he swatted my hand away and twisted from my reach.
“I’m the last standing Hanagan. The only hope to carry on the family name.”
“God help us all.”
“Hey.”
“It’s okay. You’re sixteen. There’s hope for you yet.” I studied his face. I wasn’t sure if he was hiding hurt about that under his bravado because he was unreadable as we stared at one another. He’d grown up so much in the last year, and it was almost hard to find the punk kid hiding under the weight of new responsibility he’d taken on for himself.
“What?” he asked, his palm flattening his hair down.
“Does it bother you?”
“Does what bother me?”
“Being the last Hanagan.”
Tate let off a huff of laughter and sat upright before turning to me. He took on a pose that was pure Drew, his elbows on his knees and hands linked together. Drew had become a mentor for him without really knowing it, and it was the small things like this that I loved to see.
“If you’re asking me if it bothers me that you’re married? No, A. You’re happier than I’ve ever seen you. I mean you’re glowing and shit, sis. I can be an asshole sometimes, but I’m not that much of a dick. You’re right where you need to be.”
“You’re not answering the question.”
“Not having the same last name doesn’t mean you stop being my sister.” He smiled, his dimples popping. “I know you love me. You know I love you. Now stop being a girly girl and getting all emotional. You’re setting a bad example for my nephew.”
“Nephew?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. “You know something I don’t?”
“There’s a pool going.”
“Tate!”
“What?” he asked, too innocently. “Everyone’s in on it.”
“Sutton?”
“He’s hoping you have a girl. Said it would make Drew crazy.”
“Rusty?”
