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“You know,” Max drawled. “Your mother used to look at me like that.”
“Like the way that male nurse just looked at our son?” Peyton laughed softly.
“No,” he said, his eyes still closed. “The way she looks at our son.”
I looked up at Peyton who was smiling softly, and then over at Dax who wasn’t looking at me but was smiling down at his feet.
My gaze turned back to Max. “How’d you know I was looking at him if your eyes are closed?”
Max’s eyes went from closed to open and alert in half a heartbeat.
“Know when it’s not just me and my family in the room.” He shrugged. “Not sure why or how. But have been able to feel that for a while now. I don’t feel that with Harleigh’s man Slate, but I suspect that’s because he’s dangerous like me. You, though? I imagine I’ll be able to treat you like family once I get to know you a bit better. You’re just a little bit of a thing like my Peyton.”
I was about six inches taller than Peyton and about twice her body weight. But I guessed when you compared that to Max’s size, then yes, I was a ‘little bit of a thing.’
“Interesting,” I teased.
“You’re telling me you don’t feel safe when Slate’s in the room, Daddy?” Harleigh, Dax’s sister, called from the doorway.
“I didn’t say I didn’t feel safe,” Max mumbled, sounding tired. “I just said there’s a fucking difference. Your brother I can trust to always look out for me. Your mom. Hell, even that other little girl sitting next to your brother. Your husband only has one priority, and that’s you.” He paused. “Though, I’m getting the feeling that your brother might be protecting his girl’s ass before yours… so just FYI. Where’s the baby?”
“That’s okay, Max,” a deep, gravelly voice said. “I got her covered. And the baby is with my sister.”
“Knew you did or I wouldn’t have allowed you to marry her,” Max countered, closing his eyes once again. “Why are all you in my room? I had a colonoscopy. I’m mourning my anal virginity right now. Can you please leave? Where’s my grandbaby, anyway?”
“My sister has her,” Slate answered again.
The doctor came in before anybody else could comment on his anal virginity.
Dax had his face buried in his hands, and I couldn’t help poking him a bit.
He looked over at me from between two fingers.
“I hope your dad says worse,” he groaned when he looked at me, seeing the smile on my face.
“I hope not,” I admitted. “It wouldn’t be nearly as funny then.”
“Max, how ya feeling?” the doctor asked as he walked up to Max’s bedside.
“Right now?” Max asked. “I feel like a winner winner chicken dinner.” He paused. “I’m sure later I won’t be saying that, now will I?”
The doc shrugged. “I’ve never had any complaints.”
Oh my God. They had the same sense of humor.
Harleigh groaned as did Dax.
Slate and I shared amused glances.
“Did you find any drugs up there?” Max rasped.
The doctor didn’t even miss a beat.
“No, but I found a Coke bottle.”
“On that note,” Dax said as he stood up. “We’re going to head out, Dad. Love you.”
After kissing his mother goodbye, he got to his sister.
Before she could even think to run, Dax had her in his arms and was squeezing her to death.
“Uhh,” I said, patting Dax on the arm. “She’s turning purple.”
Dax held on until she bit him.
Which he then dropped her from at least a foot high.
“You didn’t save me, Slate!” Harleigh slapped her husband’s chest with the back of her hand.
“I knew you could handle him,” he countered.
“Awww, good answer.” I held out my hand. “I’m Rowen.”
Slate took it and said, “Slate.”
I looked over at Harleigh. “Nice to see you again, Harleigh.”
Harleigh grinned. “Y’all want to go grab lunch? I think I’ll let Mom and Dad have some alone time before I come back.”
“Sure.” Dax looked at me, eyebrows raised. “Where do you want to go?”
It was as we were stepping out of their father’s room that the mob began.
“Mr. January, will you sign this?”
It wasn’t just the male nurse this time. It was also two female nurses. All of them looking at Dax as if he was a slice of prime rib and they were hungry little dogs.
Dax smiled and chuckled good-naturedly, but I could tell after the fifth minute of standing there, he wasn’t in a good mood any longer.
“Well, guys,” I said, interrupting the nurses as they cooed over Dax. “We’re on our way to lunch. Have a good day.”
They all looked upset that I’d taken away their new favorite toy.
Dax breathed a sigh of relief when we were all on the elevator.
“Mr. January…” Harleigh breathed heavily, fanning her face.
“Don’t,” Dax ordered.
“Mr. January, I seem to have misplaced my panties.” Harleigh ignored him. “Will you loan me your mouth?”
