“How? We couldn’t stand each other years ago.”
She shrugs. “Sometimes that’s just foreplay.”
I gasp and hear giggles behind me. “Mom!”
She lifts her shoulders a second time. “They call that enemies-to-lovers in the books I’ve been reading lately. The sexual tension is off the charts,” she says quietly, leaning in just a bit.
“Give me a hug, sweetheart. I can’t believe you’re making me a grandpa first,” Dad says, pulling me into his big arms.
Next, Lizzie and Oaklee are there, giving more hugs and asking for all the details. I won’t get into the nitty-gritty of making said baby—those details will remain private for now—but I do share the due date and how my first prenatal appointment went earlier.
“Here.”
I look up and find Quinn handing over the sonogram photo. “Thanks.”
I show my parents first, who ooh and aah over the little peanut in the photo, before handing it over to the ladies.
A throat clears behind me, and when I turn around, I find all three of my brothers standing there. Their shoulders are practically touching as they stare at me hard.
“Listen, I know you guys don’t under—” I’m pulled into a hard hug from Cade, “stand.” A big puff of oxygen leaves my lungs.
“Don’t squeeze too hard, dumbass,” Collin chastises, pulling me out of his twin’s arms and into his. “Love you.”
“Love you too,” I whisper, suddenly overcome with emotions once more.
“I wasn’t really gonna hit him.”
I snort a laugh. “Yes, you were.”
He gives me a cheeky grin when he creates a little separation. “Well, I guess we’ll never know.” With a wink, he turns me over to my younger brother.
“Well, uh, this is weird,” Camden says.
“Only because you’re making it weird,” I tell him.
He glances over his shoulder to where his best friend is hovering nearby. “He’s always loved you. At first, I thought it was just a crush, and I’m sure that’s how it started, but over the years, it kept growing. It was hard to watch when I thought you didn’t reciprocate.”
I take a deep breath. “For a while, I didn’t. I mean, he was just your annoying friend.” I look at Quinn, who flashes me a grin. “But then, I started seeinghim.”
Camden smiles. “He’s a pretty great guy. I don’t think I could pick a better one for you. Even if I am pissed off he slept with my sister.”
Quinn walks up and slaps Cam on the shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze as he whispers, “Several times.”
Camden takes a deep, calming breath. “We are never to speak of that.”
With a laugh, I step away from my brother and into Quinn’s waiting arms. “Hey.”
“Hello,” he replies. “That was an interesting way to tell the family.”
Shrugging I state, “It just came out.”
“And I’m okay with that.” He glances to where everyone is slowly starting to file back into the house. “They all seem happy.”
“Of course they are. First grandchild and niece or nephew.”
“And we one-upped the twins.”
I snort and grin widely. “I love that.”
