Chapter 40 #3
“Oh, you little liar,” Briggs sputters indignantly.
“Just remember, payback’s a bi…” he stops abruptly, remembering the little ears that are present.
“Let’s get out of here, Huddy Buddy.” He scoops Hudson into his arms, glaring at Raiden over his shoulder.
“There’s a traitor in our midst.” I smile, shaking my head at his antics.
As we head across the courtyard, the scent of frying meat reaches us, making my stomach growl appreciatively despite having breakfast just an hour ago. Colsen and Roy come into view a moment later, their backs to us as they stand over a cooker I’m not familiar with.
“Not this again,” Briggs groans dramatically. “Did the two of you not learn your lesson last year?” Col turns, our eyes meeting briefly before he waves off Briggs’ worry.
“We’ve got it figured out this time,” Col insists.
“That’s exactly what you said last year when you ended up with second-degree burns,” Briggs deadpans.
“As I was saying, we’ve learned from our mistakes.” Col crosses his arms over his chest, refusing to back down.
“You’ll be eating those words within the hour when you’re begging me to patch up the boo-boo you get,” Briggs snarks, shaking his head in exasperation.
“I’m confused as to what’s happening right now,” I interrupt, hoping for a morsel of context.
“Col and Royce have decided that they’re going to perfect the art of deep frying a turkey, regardless of how long it takes them,” Dayton explains, but Col doesn’t even glance in his direction when he speaks.
“Or the numerous birds that have died in vain, their charred carcasses tossed in the trash after every failure,” Briggs tacks on.
“Oh, quit your blubberin’, boy,” Roy scolds, the jeans and button-up he’s sporting a drastic step down from his typical attire.
“Just you wait, we’ll prove the both of you wrong.
And when you’re eating the juiciest turkey you’ve ever tasted, remember who cooked it.
” He turns his nose up at their lack of faith, and I press my lips together to keep from outright laughing at their petty squabbling.
“On that note, I’ll be heading inside to offer my assistance to Rita.” I hug Roy as I pass them, then quickly squeeze Col’s forearm, refusing to linger too long in fear of him rejecting my touch.
As I swing the door open, the most delicious scents assault my senses, and I immediately decide that Thanksgiving is my new favorite holiday.
It’s a pregnant woman’s wet dream. Rita’s behind the stove, an apron covering her front as she stirs something distractedly, splitting her attention between the pot and Mia.
Just as gorgeous as the first time I saw her, Raiden’s sister is dressed to the nines, making me feel like a hobbit in comparison.
Noticing my arrival, Rita waves me over, her welcoming smile settling the nervous energy coursing through my body.
“Andi, love!” Rita exclaims, abandoning her cooking to wrap me in a comforting hug. “How are you feeling? It’s almost time, yes?” Her chocolate colored eyes are lit with excitement, the prospect of a tiny baby making her downright giddy.
“I still have four weeks, technically, but I’m not sure I can make it that long,” I joke.
“Between the two of us, I’m completely over being pregnant.
This baby’s treating my bladder like a trampoline, which means I have to pee every few minutes.
Sleep is nonexistent, but Briggs did get me a pregnancy pillow that’s helping tremendously so far.
I think I’ve formed an attachment to it that borders on unhealthy, though. ”
“Are you trying to replace me, Angel?” Briggs comments, striding into the kitchen with that effortless swagger I’ve come to expect.
With Hudson on his hip, he looks even more enticing.
“I’m not opposed to tossing it out the window and having you sleep on me instead.
” He grins devilishly, enjoying the shock that crosses Rita’s face.
Hudson reaches for me, his face burrowing against my neck as he snuggles against me.
His weight is growing harder to manage for more than a few minutes at a time, but I’m happy to soak up our last few weeks of it just being the two of us.
“Stop it,” I whisper threateningly, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment. Briggs only laughs, enjoying watching me squirm.
“I think my buddy is down for the count,” he huffs sadly, expertly changing the subject.
I glance down, noting Hudson’s eyes have fallen closed, his breaths having evened out as sleep claims him.
I kiss the top of his head and pass him back to Briggs.
“I’ll put him in my bed and grab the baby monitor from next door.
” I smile in thanks, watching him leave as the eyes of two very curious women fix their sights on me.
“So…four boyfriends, huh?” Mia questions bluntly, wagging her eyebrows. I choke on absolutely nothing, a bit shocked by her forwardness and the fact that it’s the first thing she’s said to me since I’ve walked in.
“I knew it!” Rita shouts, waving a wooden spoon at me.
“Dios mío?*, Andi. That’s a lot of wiener for one woman!
” The kitchen falls silent in the wake of Rita’s blunt assessment, but then Mia bends in half, cackling hysterically at her choice of words.
Her laughter triggers my own, and before I know it, I’m clamping my thighs together to keep from having an accident.
Wiping the tears from my eyes, I mutter a quick explanation and dash for the closest bathroom.
After doing my business and washing my hands, I exit into the hallway, instantly colliding with Col.