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)
I don’t ask for permission. Instead, I turn and head for the back of the store where I know Finn’s baby bed is set up, because my brother insisted his son needed a bed, not a Pack ’N Play, since he spends so much time here with his momma.
“Hey, little man.” I coo to my nephew as soon as I enter the room. He’s nine months old and looks just like his daddy. “Did you have a good nap?” He reaches for me as I scoop him out of his crib and cuddle him to my chest.
I rub his back soothingly. Damn, I love being an uncle. Shoving my hand into my pocket, I grab my phone, snap a quick picture, and send it to my group chat with my brothers.
Me: Uncle Merrick is coming in clutch with the cuddles. #favoriteuncle
I’m chuckling as I hit Send. I know that will get them wound up. Especially Ryder. My phone pings immediately, and I’m smiling before I see which one of my brothers responded.
Ryder: That’s my boy.
Maverick: He’s confused. He thinks you’re me.
Brooks: That’s just because I’m not there.
He follows his message with an image of him holding his son, Leo, who is sleeping on his chest.
Brooks: Daddy cuddles are better.
He’s got me there. I love my nieces and nephews. I can only imagine how that love will be all-consuming when it’s my own child.
Maverick sends a picture of him with his twins, Ryan and Lacey, and his daughter Ada. She’s snuggled up to his side, while both twins rest on his chest. Ada is two, and the twins are two months old. Maverick’s smile is blinding.
Maverick: I’ve got you all beat. You’re all behind. Three cuddles trump all of you.
I chuckle. It’s not unlikely that any of us would have twins, considering Maverick and I are. It would have to be my twin to be the one, or I guess I should say the first, because I know my brothers are not done having kids, and then there’s me. However, Maverick is going to gloat until someone knocks him off his pedestal.
Me: Someone hurry and knock up your wives and knock him back a few pegs. Brooks and Declan, I’m looking at you two. You’re both tied with two. We can’t let this go unchallenged.
Declan: I’m coming for you, little brother.
Brooks: Not if I get there first.
Sterling: Twins run in the family. Don’t knock me out of the running.
Orrin: What Sterling said.
Rushton: Caden is two. It’s time, and yeah, don’t count us out just yet.
Archer: I have some catching up to do.
Ryder: As soon as my wife tells me she’s ready. I’m guessing she wants more than nine months between pregnancies. I never walk away from a challenge.
Ryder: Give my boy a kiss for me.
Me: And Jordyn?
Ryder: Merrick!
This time, I laugh out loud, causing Finn to jump in my arms. “I’m sorry, buddy. Your daddy is too easy to rile up.” Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I head out to the main show area so Finn can see his momma.
“Merrick, why is my husband texting me, telling me to stay away from you?”
I’m still smiling. I can’t help it. I love annoying my brothers. Maverick and I have lived our entire lives in their shadows, and as the babies of the family, we took our job to be the annoying little brothers seriously. Although my twin still teams up with me, he’s a daddy to three and a husband, so he doesn’t have as much time for our antics as he did before he had his own family. I’m happy for him, but I do miss him too.
As twins, we have this freaky thing where we know what the other is feeling, and I know Maverick has never been happier. I’m thrilled for him. Hell, I’m thrilled for all of my brothers. I know my day will come when it’s meant to be. I’m a little envious of them all. They have beautiful families, and as the last man standing, I’m ready to join the ranks as husband, and one day, father.
“He told me to kiss Finn for him and I asked about you.”
She rolls her eyes, but the smile tugging at her lips tells me she’s just as amused as I am. “You knew that would get him wound up.”
“Yep.”
“Just wait. You keep giving them a hard time, they’re going to pay you back tenfold.”
“I have strong shoulders, right, Finn? Uncle Merrick can take it.”
“You want me to take him?” Jordyn offers.
“Nah, do what you need to do. I’ve got no plans for the rest of the day. I’ll keep him occupied while you work.”
“Thank you, Merrick. He’s due for a bottle soon.”
“You hungry, little man?” I ask my nephew. He lifts his head to look at me, and my heart melts for this kid. Not just him, for all of them. My brothers and their wives sure make some cute kids. Finn sticks his fist in his mouth, and I laugh. “Noted. Time to eat.”