Chapter 22 #2
“They are not fighting in the backyard,” I insist, falling in line as we all practically run out the back door to catch up.
I push past Oaklee and Lizzie to hear Cade ask Quinn, “Where do you want it? Face or stomach?”
“A busted lip isn’t going to change anything,” Quinn says, standing there with his arms at his side.
“Yeah, but it’ll make me feel better,” Cade says.
“You are not punching him,” I declare, taking off to where my three brothers have Quinn surrounded. Camden still looks shell-shocked.
“Yes, we are. We each get a shot,” Cade insists, arms crossed over his chest in an attempt to be intimidating. I’m sure he would be incredibly frightening in most other situations, but to me he’s just my big, dumb brother, and I don’t find it scary.
It’s annoying.
“You can’t hit him,” I affirm, shaking my head and crossing my own arms in front of my chest.
“Why not?” Collin asks, his eyes narrow as he watches.
“Because I love him!”
Everyone seems equally shocked by my outburst, myself included. I even hear a gasp or two behind me, but my eyes fly toward the man standing in the center of the circle, ready to take a few punches.
I step toward him, my heart hammering in my throat. His eyes track my every step.
When I reach him, he whispers, “You love me?”
“Yeah,” I murmur softly. “I realized it right then and there, when you were about to take three punches from my brothers and you didn’t appear scared or worried.
There was this confidence about you, and it felt like nothing could touch us.
Not my stupid brothers, not anything. And it hit me in that moment, I’m in love with you.
Have been, really, but I was too scared to see it. ”
I take a deep breath. “I know we made a simple mistake,” I start, but he cuts me off with a finger to my lips.
“Not a mistake, Charli. Anything that gave me you and our baby can’t be considered a mistake.
This pregnancy might not have been planned, but it wasn’t a mistake.
That night was fate. He or she is loved so much already and wanted and will be the best of both of us.
I can’t wait to experience every moment with you. ”
Tears prickle my eyes once more and I nod. “Fate.”
He searches my face before removing the space between us. His hands move to my face, his fingers threading into my hair. “Say it again.”
I roll my eyes playfully, knowing what he means, and am happy to oblige. “I love you.”
He gives me a panty-melting smile that makes warmth flood my panties. “I love you too.”
Then, he lowers his mouth to mine and applause is heard behind me. If I wasn’t lip-locked in an orgasm-inducing kiss, I’d give my girls a thumbs-up, but I’m a little busy right now.
“I don’t want to see that,” Collin mutters.
“Knock it off, Garrison, or the punch circle is back on,” Cade adds, making us both chuckle.
“Come on, my little cactus. Let’s show everyone our peanut,” Quinn says, pulling back and taking my hand.
I turn and see tears in my mom’s eyes and smiles on everyone’s faces. Well, everyone but Camden, who still seems a bit shocked by all that’s transpired and is scratching the side of his head.
“Everyone, Quinn and I are having a baby.”
Mom moves first, wrapping me in her arms and kissing my cheek. “I’m so happy for you and Quinn.” She pulls back and levels me with a look. “And I knew it!”
“Knew I was pregnant?” I ask.
“No, that was a pleasant surprise. I knew you two would end up together. I called it years ago,” she says with another hug.
“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 seeing him.”
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.”
He reaches down and takes my hand. “What do you say? You ready to get back in there?”
“I’m starved. Let’s go finish eating.”