My eyes widen and my mouth drops as I trace the path the dart had to have taken to get to me, only to find Madden holding a blaster and aiming it in my direction.
“He sent you as a decoy!” I accuse, and she giggles as she takes off running.
This means war.
I aim and fire my two measly darts at my oldest brother, and it’s moments before the others join in—including Tate, Kennedy, Maverick, Ainsley, and even Penny. We’re all darting around the house, hiding behind furniture, and firing when our target least suspects it.
Even if Ivy was sent as a decoy, she joins in on the fun as we actually do have fun and make new memories together. I feel like a kid again as I skid across the tile, run up the stairs, and peek around corners looking for anyone coming to attack.
I laugh. God, do I laugh. We all do, and we meet up in the dining room over an hour later with red cheeks, sweaty hair, and panting from exertion as Madden walks in with a stack of shot glasses and a bottle of McGillicuddy’s.
We don’t toast to anything specific, but I see the longing on everybody’s face. I’ve heard the quiet remarks when the others don’t think I’m listening.
Nobody wants me to sell this mansion. Nobody is ready to let go of these memories.
It’s my decision, though. We won’t lose the memories just because I sell it, and I think that’s something they’re all forgetting. It’s just because we’re here. It’s an emotional weekend.
It’s the last time we’ll have a Nerf gun fight under this roof, perhaps.
Consistent with history over the last ten or so years, the only one missing from all this family bonding is Archer.
CHAPTER 32: Ford Bradley
Inheritance
When I wake in the morning with Tatum in bed beside me, my first thought isn’t how today is my mother’s funeral.
My first thought is that it’s nine days until I marry Tatum.
We were all a little tipsy last night after shots, and to be perfectly honest, I didn’t get much sleep. Instead, I spent the night fighting my urge to give in to the heat between Tatum and me well before the already agreed-upon date.
She kissed me goodnight, and it wasn’t just a quick peck. It was lips, tongue, hands caressing jawlines. We didn’t take it further than that. I wanted to. It felt like she did, too.
But Archer is in the next room. It wouldn’t be right, no matter how strong the pull is between us.
I take a cold shower, and when I get out, she’s sitting up, leaning against my headboard and scrolling on her phone.
“Good morning,” I say. Her eyes edge to my abdomen and then to the towel wrapped around my waist—the only thing currently keeping me from showing her all the goods.
“Morning,” she murmurs.
“Stop looking at me like that, or you’re going to get the kind of good morning I’m supposed to be waiting nine more days for.”
She glares at me, but then she giggles as she climbs out of bed and walks toward the bathroom. “Fine. But just for the record, I’m no longer convinced I want to wait nine more days.” She closes the door behind her with those words, and then I have to fight with my boxers to get them over the enormous erection she just caused.
I slip into my suit, and I’m dressed when she exits the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her hair and her body. I allow my eyes to dance down to that towel, too, and she fingers the edge like she’s going to drop it.
I walk over toward her, and I grab her to pull her against me. I drop my lips to hers, and I pull back to whisper, “Don’t tempt me. I’ll fuck you right here.”
She gasps at my words.
I let her go even though I’m reluctant. “I’m going downstairs for breakfast. Come join me when you’re ready.”
She’s gorgeous in a black dress when she joins me twenty minutes later, and Penny provided food for us once again. This time it’s a buffet of breakfast items, and I’m grateful that she’s nearby to help.
We fill our plates, and I suppose I take more than my fair share of bacon. Eventually, it’s time to leave for the funeral.
My mother thought of every last detail, and this is less of a sad event bidding goodbye to a loved one and more of the event of the season. The funeral itself is going to be held at a cathedral downtown, and then there will be a procession to the cemetery followed by the reception at Mom’s favorite country club.
