Chapter 16 Summer
Summer
“You okay, little?” Owen steps up next to me while I’m smothering pancakes with syrup. They’re not Rebel’s banana pancakes, but with the way I’m feeling, I would shove them in his face if they were.
I don’t know why he’s being standoffish. He can’t kiss me without it seeming like he regrets it. When all I want is to know he still wants me.
“Trying to catch diabetes?” Owen crosses his arms over his barrel of a chest and glares at my man who has stopped to talk to Ethan.
He seeks out his son next. Owen’s mini doppelg?nger is running in between the guests.
He looks like his daddy with his black hair, dark mischievous eyes, and penchant for making women jump by thrusting a large frog in their faces.
Oops. There it goes into Bianca’s purse. “Ernie could give you some tips.”
“I have no doubt.” I add some strawberries for the vitamins. And a dollop of yogurt for the calcium and protein. Then I add one of the best bagels I’ve ever tasted to my plate. Add cream cheese and bacon because I’m eating for three, and I’m an emotional and unsexy wreck.
“You need me to talk to him?”
“Do I need you to talk to my boyfriend about my relationship? Hardly.”
Besides, how would Owen getting involved help if Rebel doesn’t find me attractive in my bloated state?
And I’m not about to explain to him that I found an engagement ring in Rebel’s belongings prior to Christmas, when all they’ve done since we got here is harass him about the lack of a ring on my finger.
He bought the thing, so he has a plan. But what the heck is the plan? It’s been months. What is he waiting for? Is he having second thoughts?
“I’ll do it,” Owen says.
Oh, I know he would.
“That would not be a good idea.” I carry my plate to the table where Jett is already eating. “You’ve all razzed him enough about not proposing when he knocked me up.”
“Because that’s not how we do things around here, little.” Jett puts down his knife and fork. His green eyes are sharp. “The man is disrespecting our sister.”
“Our family,” Owen says darkly.
“We should do something about it.” Storm comes up beside me. He wraps an arm around my shoulders and farts.
“Storm.” I give him a shove.
He doesn’t budge. His arm around me tightens. A smug grin widens his face.
“You’re disgusting.”
He laughs as he takes a seat next to Jett.
Brothers. Ugh. I pull myself up to my full height, which isn’t much in comparison to them, and prop a fist on one hip. “You will not interfere in my love life. Do you hear me? My relationship with Rebel is none of your business.”
“But, little.” Jett runs a hand over his darkly stubbled jaw while he and Storm share a look. “We can’t—”
“Shut it.” I mime zipping my mouth. “I don’t want to hear why you feel obligated to start something. I don’t want your excuses. I’m asking you to please leave my relationship to me to handle. Promise me you’ll respect my wishes on this.”
“Summer,” Owen starts on me.
“I mean it, Owen.” Going toe-to-toe with him, I narrow my eyes and stare him down.
This week is going to be hectic enough without them causing trouble. We have a party tonight. Then there’s the final fitting. A bridal shower. Rogue is flying in a spa team to pamper Ivy and make sure she’s as blissed out as possible.
On top of that, vows and speeches need to be finished. There’s a rehearsal dinner. And the boys are supposed to be spending a night bonding under the stars. My brothers have been invited.
I can’t keep an eye on them the whole time we’re here. It’s impossible. I want some reassurances before I leave them alone. “I need you to promise you’ll keep them in line.”
Owen’s gaze narrows too, but I’ve mastered the art of the stand-off from my position as family short ass. His focus drops to my rounded belly. “Fine. I promise not to harass your boyfriend.”
“Uh-uh.” I push my finger into his chest. Hard.
He groans. “I promise none of us will do anything to harm a hair on the head of that untraditional bastard as long as he doesn’t make you cry.”
“Good.” I’ve been weepy recently, but nothing I can’t handle. There’s no reason my brothers should see me cry, aside from during the wedding ceremony. It’s all going to be beautiful and sweet and romantic.
“Hey, gorgeous.” Adira runs his gaze over each of my brothers. He flutters those thick, extended lashes. “I cannot get over how many handsome brothers you have. Little old me could have Snow White fantasies about all these rippling cowboy bods. Especially yours, honeypot.”
Adira pretends to drag his nails down Owen’s chest. “Meow.”
My eldest brother’s shoulders stiffen. His cheeks heat to a ruddy pink. He takes off his hat and threads the brim between his fingertips. “That’s awfully nice of you, but I’m not—”
“We’re not,” Jett adds.
“Not that there’s anything wrong with being into men,” Storm says.
“You’re not actually my type.” Adira sasses them and winks. “Can I steal you away, Summer?”
“Sure.”
He links his arm through mine as we walk through the party. Past Ethan and Nathaniel talking about some legal matter. Ethan has his arm wrapped around Bianca while she sips a mimosa, but her attention wanders to the other guests.
Linc, who is usually with them, is chatting with Riot a few feet away while the youngest Maddox brother’s gaze sticks like glue to Kelsey, who has become the center of attention for Ivy’s drag queen besties.
These queens are the nearest and dearest to her.
They took her under their wing and became her family.
They were there for her when her dad died.
They stand around with pride in their eyes, as though they each had a hand in her becoming the woman she grew into.
Which they did. Not a one would miss watching her walk down the aisle.
“You looked like you needed a reprieve.” Adira pats my hand.
“They’re my brothers. I can handle them.” I accidentally lock gazes with West as we wander past him.
West looks so much like Rebel, but when I look at him a chill runs down my spine. His eyes are darker, colder than Rebel’s ever were even when he hated the world. West has this air about him that makes me look away first.
Rogue looks identical, but I’ve never once mistaken him for Rebel.
And that’s how I know my man hasn’t been body snatched. His gaze stirs liquid fire in my veins before he picks up a spoon and taps it to the side of his champagne flute. “Can I have everyone’s attention?”
The conversations dry up as everyone tunes in while Rebel welcomes them to Heart Ranch and the wedding festivities.
Rogue leads Ivy out from under the trees and toward his brother.
Pink cheeked and eyes feverish, she touches the bunny ears perched on top her head and straightens them while Rebel thanks everyone for attending.
Rogue holds her in front of him with one arm across her middle, the other around her shoulders. Her ring sparkles in the sunlight when she grabs his forearm to hold him close. They smile at each other and there is so much love there.
I can feel Rebel’s gaze on me.
“I never thought I’d see her come out of her shell.” Adira clasps both his hands to his chest and sniffs. “If her dad could see her now.”
“He’s watching her.” I squeeze his arm as I glance at Rebel, but he’s not looking at me at all. “And you. He’s proud of you both for what you’ve accomplished.”
“Thanks,” he says. “That means a lot.”
“You’ll have time today to unpack and rest. Burke is leading a tour of the ranch by horseback for those who would like to participate.” Rebel gestures at my brothers. “There’s also mudding. Or exploring on foot. And there’s a lake too.”
Rogue steals the microphone from Rebel. His grin eats up his whole face. “Tonight we’ve arranged for a good old-fashioned barbecue with plenty of alcohol, dancing, and a mechanical bull right here in the barn.”
A cheer of enthusiasm goes up around us.
Ivy tugs the microphone down low enough to speak into it. “I hope you all remembered to pack your costumes. If not, Adira and his fellow queens have set up a tent where you can pick out outfits and wigs over cocktails.”
“It’ll be a hoot.” Adira grins. “Have you ever been to such fun wedding festivities?”
I’ve been to a wedding where the groom was dragged away in handcuffs. And that was Ivy and Rogue’s first attempt at nuptials. Before that... well, Owen never made it to the vows. “Ivy and Rogue are unique.”
“That they are.” He pats my hand as his gaze lands on my belly. “Have you sorted out what you’re going to wear, little momma?”
I already look like a beached whale in comparison to everyone else. “Does it matter? A costume isn’t going to ensure Rebel can’t keep his hands off me. He’s already a pro.”
Adira’s jaw drops. “Woman, get those filthy words out your mouth.”
“It’s true.”
“It’s bullshit and you know it.”
I thought I knew it, but lately...
“All those baby growing hormones have you all twisted about, don’t they?” He grips both my shoulders gently. His gaze is compassionate. “And maybe throw in a touch of body dysmorphia.”
I swallow thickly. Nod.
He lets out a long, decisive breath and then smiles. “It’s a good thing the gals and I are here to play dress up. Let’s remind you that you’re a glowing sex pot with the kind of baby bump a daddy to be could only ever be obsessed with. Let’s make all your sexy wishes come true.”
I’m ready to argue. I’m not sure that a costume change is going to have the effect he’s promising.
His gaze dances as he puts a finger to his glossed cupid’s bow. “Hush, now. Your man is coming this way.”