Chapter Five #2
The adults sitting around the family room nodded and shouted their names. He barely heard a single one. The kids took Blaze all the way to floor with their antics. Of course, Blaze hammed it up along the way.
“No. They’re too much for me. I never stood a chance.
” He fell forward, landing in a controlled heap on the floor while at least seven kids tackled him.
German’s face hurt from smiling as he watched.
Then a lone child caught his attention. He looked like he was maybe three, and he didn’t join the melee.
The boy also didn’t smile. He watched the ridiculousness wearing a solemn expression and holding an iPad.
German’s heart twisted. He moved closer and went down on his knees. He held his hand out to shake while maintaining eye contact. “I’m German.”
The child who looked way too much like an adult shook German’s hand. “I’m Ben.” He flipped his iPad around. “Look. I drew an airplane.”
German eyed the drawing. It was impressive, considering how young Ben had to be. “That’s awesome. No way I could’ve done that.” He glanced toward where Blaze still wrestled with kids. “They’re a little loud, huh?”
Ben nodded. “Do you want to see my other drawings?”
“I’d love to.”
He looked at each image Ben showed him. He listened while Ben explained each one in the most adorable of kid ways. It took him a second to realize everyone had gone silent and was watching him. Even the other kids looked perplexed.
An older lady, standing in the doorway that looked as if it led to the kitchen, had her hand over her mouth. When German met her stare, she dropped her hand and smiled. “I’m Ruth, Justin’s mom.” She moved forward with her hand outstretched.
German accepted without moving from his spot on the floor. “German. Nice to meet you.”
“You as well. Justin told me all about you. I appreciate anyone willing to put themselves in danger to protect others. Not just anyone would do that.”
He didn’t know what to say. On one hand, she complimented him. On the other hand, had Blaze told her he was his bodyguard? That stung. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
Her smile grew a hair. Blaze had her eyes and nose. She looked Blaze’s way and sighed. “Get back outside. Everyone just plopping around my living room in the wet swimsuits. You know better.”
The gaggle of kids ran for a door that led to the pool.
Blaze stood. His clothes were soaked from the kids’ suits.
German bit back a laugh at the sight. He couldn’t hold it any longer when Blaze shot forward and hugged his mom, making sure her clothes ended up wet too.
He kissed her cheek several times, being as obnoxious as possible. “It’s my mom. Love you.”
Her laughter said it all. They were a happy family. German’s throat swelled. His chest felt like it might cave at any second.
Ruth swatted Blaze away. “Get outside. Your dad is manning the grill, and all his work buddies are gathered around shouting different directions for cooking meat.”
Blaze looked so ridiculously happy. German couldn’t look away.
“You’re right. That’s my favorite show.” He reached for German and urged him to his feet.
“Let’s go, babe. You have to see this. There isn’t a man in any fire station who doesn’t think he's an expert on grilling. It’s the most hilarious pissing contest you’ll ever see. ”
German hesitated. He hated to leave Ben behind. German looked down, and Ben’s shoulders were slumped. He held his free hand out to Ben. “Are you coming, buddy? You can’t leave me with these heathens.”
Ben kept his head down, but he took German’s hand.
The three of them made their way out back to the pool.
Ben had a hard time keeping up with their long strides.
Three steps out the door, German stooped and held his arms open.
To his surprise, Ben let him pick him up.
He hugged his tablet to his chest while Blaze led them to the grill.
Sure enough, at least seven men gathered, talking about salt and grill marks.
When the man with the spatula turned, German would have known he was Blaze’s dad even if he didn’t know.
Somehow, Blaze looked exactly like his dad while still having his mom’s nose and eyes.
Just like Blaze, he also looked way younger than what had to be his age with so many damn kids.
A bright smile lit the man’s face as he hugged Blaze, rocking him back and forth. It couldn’t have been more obvious he didn’t care about Blaze’s wet clothes. “I wondered when the birthday boy would get here.” With one arm still around Blaze, Blaze’s father looked his way. “This must be your man.”
Blaze didn’t deny it.
German didn’t know what to say.
Thankfully, Blaze’s dad stepped forward and offered his hand, saving German from reacting. “I’m Jim, dad of this miscreant. It’s German, right?”
German pasted on a polite smile and shook Jim’s hand. “That’s me. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Jim pointed to each man around him, introducing each with names German forgot half a second later.
Ben squirmed and put his head on German’s shoulder. German glanced over. Ben’s eyes were closed, and he still held the iPad like his favorite stuffed animal. The kid was out. He wished he could fall asleep instantly like that.
German looked at Blaze and chuckled.
Blaze shook his head. He held German’s stare like he couldn’t look away. “He doesn’t speak.”
Huh. Well. That explained everyone staring at him earlier.
Jim spoke up next. “He also doesn’t let anyone hold him, except Dara, of course. You must be a good one.”
German didn’t know what to say. He had never felt more uncomfortable and under a microscope in his life, and that was saying something. “I guess I have one of those faces.”
Jim shook his head. “Kids are like animals. They see people’s hearts.” He slapped Blaze’s back, moving on. “I’m so glad you’re home. There are boxes of shit in your bedroom. I thought that Bond guy was going to make sure fans didn’t send things here anymore.”
Blaze pinched the spot between his eyes. “I’ll take care of it.” He focused on German. “Are you good for a few? I need to call Bond and figure out what to do. It’s actually a pretty big safety concern.”
German nodded. “No problem. If he can’t find a workaround, I can. You know this is my area of expertise.”
Blaze flashed him a grateful smile. He kissed German’s cheek before he headed back toward the house. No one batted an eye. In fact, they were immediately back to arguing about seasonings. It sounded like they would be lucky to get something edible by the time these guys figured it out.
Still, he was also a grilling man. He couldn’t stop himself. “Salt and pepper. Two minutes each side. Done.”
Jim turned back around. “See. Thank you! That’s how it’s done.”
Everyone groaned.
While still chuckling to himself as he wandered away, he spotted a table farther away than the others.
A strawberry-blonde haired woman sat alone.
The moment his gaze landed on her, she motioned for German to join her.
He didn’t hesitate. German had always been that guy.
He actively hunted for the loner. The outcast. He had been that person, and he never wanted anyone to feel the way he had.
German claimed the chair next to her. “Hey. I’m German.”
She nodded. Her green eyes were lighter than the rest of the bunch.
Freckles smattered her face. “I know. Justin hasn’t shut up about you since you two met.
He sent me a picture. I’m Dara.” She rubbed Ben’s back.
“He’s such an angel.” Her gaze moved back to hold his.
“There really must be something about you. First Justin, and now Ben. That’s the two toughest sells in the family. ”
German was flattered. Plus, this was the sibling closest to Blaze. German wanted her to like him. “It’s so odd hearing everyone call Blaze Justin.”
Dara laughed. “There’s no way in hell I’m calling him that ridiculous name.
I wish he hadn’t let Bond talk him into changing it.
It’s not like it’s mattered one damn bit anyhow.
People have no trouble finding out real names in this day and age.
But Bond has a way of doing that. He’s a slick talker, and as soon as he played on the fact that Mom is a federal judge, that was all it took.
Justin would never let anything happen to this family. ”
Every new detail he learned about Blaze made German proud to know him.
Ben’s head popped up. He looked around, blinking. The instant he spotted Dara, he leaned her way. German passed him over.
Ben held his tablet out. “Look, Mommy.”
Dara eyed the drawing, wearing a huge smile. “That’s gorgeous, baby. One day, you’ll be designing those for real. You’re so smart.” She kissed his temple.
Ruth appeared from nowhere. She took the iPad. “It’s time to eat. You know we don’t have our devices at the table.”
Ben deflated.
Dara drew a breath that sounded like she was holding back all the words. She grabbed a bag from the ground at her feet and pulled out another tablet. “Take this one and run. I took a plate of food to our room for you earlier. Go before anyone sees.” She kissed him and set him on his feet.
He took off running for the house, but he went left instead of toward the back door. It seemed there was a different door German hadn’t noticed.
Dara wore a huge grin as she watched him. When he made it inside, she laughed. “Ha. I’m still the mom, no matter where we live.” Her gaze shifted back to German. Her smile slipped a hair. “There’s nothing wrong with him. People just don’t understand him.”
“I know.” Even German heard the conviction in those two words.
Her eyes moved over his face, as if searching for something only she could see. “You’re perfect for him.”
Before German could ask for clarification, Dara stood and squeezed his shoulder. “Wish me luck. I have to steal my son’s iPad back and get some food of my own. He shouldn’t be eating alone.”
“Good luck.”