He nods. “Good luck in there. Hit it big.”
I want to tell him I’m here to work, not to gamble, but he seems impatient, so I don’t say anything.
It’s Vegas. Someone will win big tonight, but unfortunately, it won’t be me.
CHAPTER 5
Xander
MAKE YOUR LIFE A LIVING HELL
The only reasonI’m here is because I know Cash would actually come to my place and drag me here himself if I didn’t show up. And pissing Jordyn off? No, thank you. I’ve seen my brother’s wife angry, and I do not want to be in that line of fire. She’s a feisty one; perfect for putting Cash in his fucking place when needed. God, I want to deck him sometimes for being so fucking sprung. His dick practically wags when she walks into the room. It’s sickening.
Beckett pulls up next to me, giving me his signature pretty-boy smile and chin lift when we get out of our cars.
“Damn, dude. I feel like I haven’t seen you in weeks,” he says with a grin, pulling a tray of some sort of baked goods from his trunk. “Good thing you’re here. I made your favorite.”
My eyebrows shoot up as I lift the foil and peek at the perfectly swirled strawberry cheesecake.
Ah, fuck, yes.
“I knew I loved you for some reason.” I wrap an arm around his neck and yank him against me for a fun-loving brotherly hug. “Let’s put that in my car and tell them you forgot to bring dessert.”
Beckett snorts as we make our way to the enormous porch. “And get on my bombshell’s bad side? Hell no. She’s starting to fall in love with me.”
I burst out laughing and shake my head. “You’re just hoping Cash will slit your throat, aren’t you?”
“Nah. Jordyn likes me too much. He won’t do anything to piss her off too badly.”
The door swings wide open, and Jordyn glares up at both of us, her hands on her curvy hips. “You idiots make it seem like I’m some sort of she-devil or something.”
I can’t deny my brother hit the jackpot with his wife. She’s fierce and strong, but loving and sweet at the same time. They’re perfect for each other.
Pointing my thumb toward Beckett, I smile at Jordyn. “He said it. Not me.”
Jordyn’s attention turns to me, her eyes searching a little too closely. Her lips curl into a smile, and she steps forward, wrapping her arms around my waist.
The shock of it makes me tense at first. I don’t remember the last time I hugged a woman. Or was hugged by one.
Slowly, I slide my hands around her, squeezing her back as my heart tightens and something painful lodges in my throat.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she says when she finally releases me, smiling so big she’s practically glowing.
Has it been upsetting her that I haven’t come to the last several family dinners? Fuck. I didn’t think about Jordyn’s feelings. I’ve been too busy trying to drown out my own. Why would she give a shit whether I show up or not?
“What the hell, bombshell? I brought dessert, and I sent you flowers today.” Beckett clutches his chest like he’s been wounded.
Both Jordyn and I roll our eyes in unison.
“If you ever swear at my wife or send her flowers again, I’ll fucking castrate you,” Cash says as he walks up behind Jordyn and pulls her possessively into his side.
Kian honks his horn as he drives up to park next to our cars, and a few seconds later, he’s climbing the steps to meet us.
“Family meeting on the porch?” Kian asks with a playful smirk.
My lips twitch, the muscles in my neck relaxing a little. As much as I was dreading coming here, it feels good to be around my brothers. And Jordyn.
My family.
