Chapter 21 Jude
JUDE
They told me I didn’t have to bring anything but I felt weird going there empty-handed, so I stopped on the way to grab some beer. I’m not really a social drinker, just the occasional one at home if Deacon is around. Working at the bar makes it low on my list of priorities.
Plus, the nights where the taps are shit, I go home smelling like a frat party anyway and I stopped enjoying that a long time ago.
More times than not I end up at Arden’s, at least for a little while. It’s never clear when I walk in how she’s feeling—if she’ll be hostile or sweet—but I like both versions and, luckily for me, can handle them too.
My brother opted out tonight, said he didn’t want me to use him as an excuse to shy away from the group.
“Just you and me, huh?” I say to Dez even though he’s not paying attention to me, his head hanging out the window as we drive.
It’s not hard to find the fire once I pull onto the Greene farm, the sky lit up like the Fourth of July the closer we get. I slow the truck down to a crawl the last few feet before throwing it in park, Dez’s tail wagging like a fan blade he’s so excited.
“Need any help?” Montana calls when I push the door open.
“I’m good, thanks,” I tell him, grabbing the beer and waiting for Dez to jump down. Instead of taking off into the field, he stays by my side as I walk toward the assembled group.
“Welcome,” Montana says, spreading his arms wide. “There’s pizza and beer, bottled water, and soda. You know everyone, right?” he asks, but before I respond he starts talking again. “That’s Archer, Jensen, Bodhi, and Mason. We’re a motley crew but you’ll get used to it.”
“Thanks, uh, for having me.”
Archer snorts and Montana elbows him. “Quit it.”
“Let’s get you a drink,” Jensen says as he nods toward the coolers and I follow him, Dez hot on my heels until he spots Bodhi.
“You guys settling in all right?” Bodhi asks as he squats down to pet Dez.
“Yeah, he’s great. Really chill most of the time and he loves Arden—even let her put pajamas on him.” The last part slips out without a thought and I wish I could take it back, not because I’m embarrassed but I don’t do sharing.
The guys all chuckle and Bodhi stands with a grin. “Looks like he’ll be ready when the baby comes.”
“Ellison wants to get another dog,” Montana says as he drags his hands down his face. “We don’t need another dog. Hell, we don’t need anything, but animals keep showin’ up.”
“I can’t wait for the maternity shoot,” Mason says with a wide smile that earns him a glare from Montana.
“Maternity shoot?” I ask because I had no idea that was something people did. Would Arden want to do one? Is that something I’d be a part of?
The questions are endless and I’m starting to sweat.
“It’s so good.” Jensen smirks over the top of his drink, earning another glare from Montana.
“She wants the goats to be in it,” he whines. “I fucking hate goats.”
“You say that,” Archer interjects, “but I think you’re comin’ around. You haven’t gotten bitten or chased in like three, almost four weeks.”
“Shut it,” Montana grumbles, shoving Archer as he goes to get a slice of pizza.
“You’re gonna let her do whatever she wants anyway,” Jensen goads.
“I know.” Montana throws his head back and looks up at the sky. “She’s the fucking beat of my heart but that woman is a menace.” Looking at me, he adds, “Jude, you want a goat?”
“Uh, no.”
“Let me know if you change your mind.”
I nod but I have no intention of needing any variety of farm animals, unless the baby wants a pony. Then I have no doubt my brother will make that happen.
And it can live here.
My lips twitch as we all take a seat in the camping chairs set up around the fire. It’s peaceful, the flames licking along the wood as we all just sit and watch.
“Is this it?” I hear myself ask.
“Yep,” Archer says. “We’re here for you and Arden and the baby.”
“He means you’re stuck with us,” Mason adds with a smirk.
“Ellison will have you killed if you hurt her sister, so don’t do that,” Montana says in a way that tells me he’s not totally joking.
“I don’t plan on hurting her.”
“We figured,” Jensen says. “It’s hard enough navigating relationships. It gets real complicated when you throw kids into the mix. We wanted you to know you have people on your side.”
“You’re family,” Montana says, with such conviction I can’t help but stare at him before glancing around. I expect to see smirks and amusement radiating off the rest of them, but they’re all wearing the same serious expression.
“All right,” I manage because the idea is so completely foreign to me I’m going to need more than right now to process it. “Thanks.”
“You get used to it,” Bodhi says before lifting one shoulder and letting it drop. “It’s kind of nice, actually.” And just when I think he’s done, he smirks. “Leave the chat on mute though.”
“Already done.”
Groans and heckling go around, and I feel my lips curve up on one side because maybe this won’t be so bad.
Maybe.