Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“It’s hard to believe Blakely isn’t going to be the only grandchild anymore,” Rushton tells us. “For so long, she’s had all our attention. How do you think she’s going to handle a baby brother and two cousins within a matter of weeks of one another?”
“She’s going to be just fine,” Kennedy speaks up. “She’s going to be the best big sister and big cousin out there.”
Declan gives his wife a goofy grin. “She really is.”
“Two boys and two girls,” Archer muses. “Mom is going to be in heaven.”
We all nod because he’s right. Not just Mom, but our dad too. They had nine kids, so of course they want a house full of grandkids as well. The way we’re starting off gives a pretty good indication that’s going to happen for them.
“Who’s going to be next?” Maverick asks.
“Yeah, we need more than four. There are nine of us, ten counting Deacon. We need at least that many so we don’t have to compete for the favorite spot. Convincing Blakely every time we see her is exhausting.”
I huff out a laugh. “If you were her favorite uncle like I am, you wouldn’t need to convince her every time you see her.”
“I’m the favorite,” Rushton speaks up.
“Nope. That would be me.” Ryder raises one hand while keeping the other around Jordyn.
“Palmer, did you remember to bring the pack of rulers?” Alyssa calls out.
Everyone stops talking. “Rulers?” I ask. She ignores me.
I look across the fire at my smirking sister-in-law. “Damnit. How are we supposed to let them have a dick-measuring contest when I forgot the rulers?” Palmer taps her forehead and groans. The smile on her face is evidence that there were no rulers.
The men grumble while the ladies crack up laughing. I glance over at Jordyn and see that she’s smiling and laughing as well. “You sure about all this?” I wave my hand in a circle around the campfire. “We’re a little bit nutty.”
“Speak for yourself,” Maverick chimes in. “I’m not nutty; I’m special.”
“Oh, we know.” Ryder laughs.
“We all know that mine is the biggest,” Merrick speaks up.
“Nope. No. Just no.” Ramsey slices her hands through the air. “We are not having this conversation. You’re all like my brothers, and just… nope.”
“I agree,” Jade replies. “I don’t want to know or need to know the results of that contest.”
“Facts,” Alyssa agrees.
I tickle her sides, causing her to squirm on my lap as she sputters with laughter. I don’t let up until she claims she’s going to piss all over my lap. I drop my hands, and she stands and takes off, running for the house.
“Sterling scared his girl off,” Rushton jokes.
“Best friend,” I correct him.
“Let’s talk about that,” Palmer speaks up.
“Talk about what? Alyssa?”
“Yes,” Palmer, Ramsey, Jade, and Kennedy say all at once.
“What about her? Is something wrong?”
“Yes,” they all say again in unison.
“Okay, you all are freaking me out with the togetherness of your replies,” Archer tells them.
“What’s wrong with her? She was acting fine,” I tell them. I sit up a little straighter in my chair, giving them my full attention. Whatever it is, I’ll fix it for her. That’s what I do.
They share a look before all eyes turn back to me. “Okay, so there’s nothing wrong with her.” Palmer looks concerned.
“She’s fine,” Ramsey adds.
“It’s okay, Sterling.” Kennedy reaches over from her spot next to me, where she’s sitting on Declan’s lap, and places her hand on my arm. “Breathe.”
“You can’t tell me there’s something wrong with her just to get my attention.” There’s more bite to my words than I intended, but my heart rate is out of rhythm from the panic rising inside my chest.
“He’s right,” Brooks tells them.
“I’m sorry,” Palmer speaks up. “I was just teasing. What I was going to say before you went white as a ghost is that what’s wrong with her is that she’s still single.”
“Seriously?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest. “You scared the hell out of me,” I scold. My tone is much nicer, and my breathing is more regulated than before. “And the fact that she’s single isn’t a flaw,” I bite out.
“That’s not what we meant,” Ramsey says gently. “We were kind of hoping you could take care of that issue for her.”
“What?” I know I heard her wrong. How in the hell can I take care of her relationship status? Does she want me to hook Alyssa up with someone? Yeah, no, that’s not going to happen. No way do I want to be a part of that. What happens if he breaks her heart? Then it’s my fault. Nope. No way.
“You could help her out with the whole being single thing,” Palmer clarifies.
“I’m not setting her up with someone.” I leave no room for negotiation in my stance on the matter in my tone.