Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
Courtney
The kids and the grandparents have gone home for the night. Carol and Raymond took Ada, Finn, Orion, Blakely, Beckham, and Caden. They seemed confident that they could handle all six kids on their own. Alyssa’s mom took Ivy, and Deacon’s parents took Brynlee, Remi, and Leo. That leaves the twins, who are three months old, left with the rest of us.
“Ladies’ night!” Palmer announces.
“Yes!” Ramsey cheers.
“This is the first time none of us has been pregnant in ages,” Alyssa says, holding up her drink.
“Right?” Crosby agrees.
“About that,” Scarlett speaks up. Her face is red, and she takes a sip from her water bottle.
“What?” all the ladies shriek. Everyone descends on her as they offer hugs of congratulations.
“Everyone but Scarlett.” Kennedy laughs. “Sorry, babe. We’ll have one for you.”
“That is the least that we can do,” Jade says, holding her drink with a nod toward Scarlett.
“How far along are you?” Crosby asks.
“We just found out, so it’s early. I go to the doctor next week. If my calculations are correct,” Scarlett answers, “I'm thinking six weeks or so.”
“I’m so happy for you. Does he know?” Jordyn asks, nodding toward where the brothers and Deacon are all gathered in the opposite corner. I smile when I see Brooks and Sterling, both with a twin in their arms.
“Yeah, he knows. We’re excited,” Scarlett says.
“Will there ever really be a time when one of us isn’t pregnant?” Stella asks.
“It’s gonna be a while,” Palmer admits.
“We love you, Scar, but we’re still drinking,” Ramsey tells her, laughing. “Kid free means these mommas get a break. You’ll understand all too soon.”
Scarlett’s shoulders shake with silent laughter. “It’s fine, and I get it. I’ll live vicariously through you. In fact, I’ll be the bartender.” She stands and walks over to the fridge and grabs a tray to pour shots.
I don’t know what they are, but they taste like pineapple and coconut and they’re delicious.
“So, Courtney.” Jordyn grins. “How are things going with Merrick?”
I shrug. “He’s been great through all of this.” That sounds like a good enough reply.
“Uh-huh.” Alyssa smiles. “Now tell us the real answer.”
“The answer to what?” a male voice asks. We all freeze and turn to see Sterling standing behind his wife.
“Nothing, babe. Just girl talk.”
“We like girl talk,” Brooks says, joining us.
Before we can answer, the rest of the guys join us. Each of them is going to stand behind their wives, and Merrick comes to stand behind me. My heart flutters. I know he isn’t mine, but my heart has a hard time remembering that.
“Here we go, ladies.” Scarlett delivers the shots to each of us.
“You not having one, Scar?” Rushton asks her.
She looks over at Archer, and he nods. “Not for about eight more months, at the least.”
The guys respond just as we did. Archer gets hugs, and then Scarlett. This family, they’re so close, and I love how everyone gets along so well. You’d think with this many people, there would be fights, but not that I’ve seen. I’m sure they argue, but they take family seriously, so I can’t imagine they hold grudges.
“I take it we’re all the designated drivers?” Orrin asks, smiling down at his wife.
“Yep,” Jade says, head tilted back to look up at him upside down.
I’m smiling as I take in each of the brothers with their wives when I feel hot breath against my cheek.
“You doing okay?”
I turn to face Merrick. “Yeah, they’re all great. Thank you for including me.”
“You let me know when you’re ready to go home.” He holds up a bottle of water. “I’m not drinking. None of us are.” He motions to where his brothers stand.
“How did you know?”
He shrugs. “It was us last time, so it’s the ladies' turn tonight.”
“That’s... amazing,” I say with a swoony breath. It’s obvious I’m already feeling the effects of the alcohol.
Merrick chuckles softly. “It’s okay to let loose, Court. I’ve got you. I promise.”
“That’s a first,” I tell him, smiling.
“Another one?”
“Yeah, you seem to be racking them up.”
“I’d take all of them if you let me.” He kisses my cheek sweetly before pulling away and standing up.
My face is hot, not from the alcohol consumption but from where his lips were just pressed against my skin.
“We’re on baby duty,” Ryder says. “You ladies do your thing.”
“Not you.” Archer points at Scarlett playfully.
“Wife, I’m watching you,” Declan teases Kennedy.
“You know you like it when I get a little... loose.” She giggles, and everyone cracks up at her innuendo.
“We like loose.” Deacon grins at Ramsey, leaning over to kiss her.
“Yes, we do,” she says.
“Let us know if you need us,” Maverick says, and just as quickly as they appeared, they all walk back to the corner where they were sitting.
“That”—Jordyn points at me—“was not nothing. He’s into you.”
“He’s pretending.”
“Um, no, he’s not,” Palmer speaks up.
“We’ve known him longer. He’s not just pretending,” Ramsey assures me.