Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 272(@300wpm)
“Let me finish, kid,” I scold. I think about Briar, and how I have this need inside me to be near her. Not just her, but the girls too. When I say I want her, it’s not just in my bed. I want her in this house. I want her girls here as well. I want all three of them to be mine. I’ve never had this feeling before. I’ve never wanted someone to be mine. We have a long way to go, and she has trust issues, but I want to be the man who tears through them. I want to be the man who tears down the walls around her heart and helps her build them back, but with love, not fear, or hate, or whatever else it is that caused those walls to be erected so damn high.
“Wow,” Emerson breathes.
I shake out of my thoughts. “What?”
“Um, Forrest, bud, you were thinking out loud,” Maddox tells me.
I just stare at him while I process what he’s saying, then I shrug. “Saves me from repeating my thoughts.”
“Forrest?” Roman says my name, pulling my attention. I turn to one of my best friends, who is now my brother-in-law.
I stare him in the eye as I prepare to answer his silent question. “I understand. I get it now. I’m not there—not where you were, but I get it.”
“Hell yes, welcome to the club, brother,” Legend says.
“What am I missing?” Maddox asks.
“Right? Share with the class,” Lachlan chimes in.
“One day….” Roman grins and places a kiss on Lilly’s cheek before doing the same to my sister—his wife.
Yeah, I finally fucking get it.
Finally, after a week of planning, the day is finally here. Briar and Brogan’s birthday. I didn’t ask Emerson what she said when she told Briar the party would be at my house. I’ve also talked to Briar every day this week, and neither one of us mentioned it. In fact, I didn’t even let on that I knew it was her birthday today.
I know why she didn’t tell me. She didn’t think I would care. She’s wrong, so very wrong. I care more than I thought I ever could or would outside my sister and niece. That’s something I’ve admitted to myself this week as well. The more I get to know Briar, the more I crave her. With each new detail of today’s party, those feelings were cemented more than ever.
I take one final look around the house before guests start to arrive. Emerson and Monroe came over earlier to help me decorate. I waited until they were gone to bring out the things I bought. The twins needed a place to sit outside, so I got them a picnic table just like Lilly’s. The three of them will have lots of fun sitting at their own table. I can imagine the smile on River’s and Rayne’s faces, knowing they have their own table at Forty’s house. Lilly is still too little to understand, but she’s used to me and the rest of the guys spoiling her. This is new for the twins, and I want to be the one to start the trend.
Once I ordered the picnic table, I realized that they would need their own chairs as well. I went ahead and ordered three, so that Lilly would also have one. They’re small plastic Adirondack chairs, just like the ones we have around the firepit, and cute as hell. I can’t wait until they see them.
That led to them needing items for the pool. I don’t even know if they know how to swim, so I bought some arm swimmies, goggles, and way too many other toys. I even got this little inner tube that has a canopy over it for Lilly. I went overboard, but that’s okay. I know my niece will spend a lot of time here, and so will the twins if I have anything to say about it.
I hear the front door open, and I move to the living room to find Maddox and Lachlan standing and taking in the decorations.
“Damn, Mo and Em went all out,” Lachlan says.
“Hey, I helped.” I pretend to be offended.
“Good job, buddy,” Maddox says, patting my shoulder.
“Fuck off.” I laugh.
“What else needs to be done?” Lachlan asks.
“Nothing. We’re all set. Just waiting for everyone to get here.”
“What are we eating?” Maddox asks, rubbing his stomach.
“Steak and chicken breasts. I have some burgers I can toss on the grill if anyone wants one, and hot dogs for the girls. There’s pasta salad, potato salad, chips, and baked beans in the Crock-Pot.”
“Damn, you went all out.”
“Cake,” Lachlan says. “Did you get the girl a cake?”
“Yes, I got a cake. I also have cookies that say Happy Birthday, Briar and Brogan and Welcome to 23 on them.”
“Who talked you into those?” Maddox laughs. “Emerson or Monroe?”