ROSCO
Axel has been sleeping peacefully on my shoulder. His tiny body rising and falling with each breath. I’m amazed at how small he is. I’m stiff from holding the same position for so long but too afraid to move for fear of waking or hurting him.
“Relax,” Bo says with a chuckle. I look up to see all eyes are on me. My brothers, Rachel’s brothers, and Kelvin have been discussing the best ways to keep Rachel and the twins safe from Reginald Vena. I’ve only been half paying attention, too worried about the little man on my shoulder. “He’s tougher than he looks. He is a Robertson after all.”
Forcing myself to relax, I manage to smile at the men in the room. “He is a Robertson,” I agree, patting his tiny back. Marley enters the room, carrying a tray of food. She places it on the coffee table in the center of the room.
“Rachel made you guys some snacks,” Marley says while leaning over to kiss first Markus and then Luke. “How are my boys?” She starts to raise up, but Luke grabs the back of her neck with his free hand, pulling her down for a deeper kiss.
Seeing them so happy causes a pang of longing in me. I need to see Rachel, to touch her, to make sure she is coping well witheverything. I might not be able to keep her, but I can comfort her in her time of need. But first, I’ve got to lay Axel down without waking him. I consider asking Marley for help, but she’s already headed back into the kitchen.
Bo looks up when I begin to ease out of my seat. He’s always had the uncanny ability to read my mind. Most of the time, I find it annoying, but right now, I’m thankful. He comes over, and gentler than a man his size should be able capable of, he lifts Axel off my shoulder and cradles him against his chest. Now that I’m free to move, I stretch my back while still seated.
“That sounds great to us,” Ricky says, catching my attention, “but I doubt Rachel will be okay with it. Maybe if Rosco suggests it, she’ll be more receptive.” My eyebrow raises at that comment. Truth be told, whatever they’re wanting Rachel to agree to is less likely to happen if I ask her. Arguing is our thing. At least it had been until today.
“What is it you’re wanting me to con Rachel into?” I ask. All the men chuckle.
“I knew you weren’t paying attention,” Enos accuses and receives my glare for his comment. “Your mind hasn’t been on the conversation since Rachel left the room.”
“I was caring for Axel,” I defend, feeling guilty, because Enos isn’t wrong. My mind has been on Rachel and little else. “Now, what’s up?”
“We think we should be home schooled for the rest of the year,” Nicky answers. “Rachel won’t like it because it’s our senior year, and she wants us to do all the normal stuff.” When we all continue to stare at him, he continues “You know prom, senior skip day, graduation…” The rest nod.
“You can’t do those things if you’re on home schooled?” Bo asks quizzically.
“No, dumbass, they can’t.” Luke leans over but can’t reach him with the baby in his arms. He looks at Nicky. “Smack theback of his head for me.” Nicky’s face turns beet red as he looks from Luke to Bo and back again. “I’m serious. Whack him good.”
“He’s not gonna whack my head,” Bo says with an eyeroll. Then to the boys, “I’m sorry if I sounded like an idiot. I just didn’t know.”
“It’s fine,” Nicky answers, still blushing. He’s the most sensitive of the twins.
“For the record,” Ricky adds, “I would’ve whacked your head.” We all burst into laughter, knowing he would’ve. Nicky shoves him.
Laughter drifts out from the kitchen and catches my attention. The sounds of the women talking and laughing as they move around my kitchen preparing our meal is comforting. I’ve never had a woman here before, not even my sisters-in-law. It should feel intrusive to have them in my personal space, but it doesn’t. I like it. A lot…maybe too much.
My kitchen is a room that rarely gets used. More often than not, I eat at one of my brother’s homes or grab take out fromBaby Girl’s. I’m sure they couldn’t find anything worth salvaging. Thus the reason for the guys carrying in bags and bags of groceries.
I can’t imagine what they are cooking that required so many groceries. My kitchen is probably in shock. It’s never had so many people or so much food in it at one time since I’ve lived here. The need to see Rachel is pushing me to move.
“I’ll go talk to Rachel about it,” I inform the room. “You guys want anything to drink? Not sure what I have other than beer, but maybe I can find something for you two.” I gesture to Nicky and Ricky.
“Whatever you have is fine,” Nicky answers.
I rise to my feet and head into the kitchen. I need to get Rachel on board with the boys being homeschooled and bring the guys some beer. Yeah, that’s why I’m heading to the kitchen,but if I’m being honest, I just want to see my woman in my kitchen.
Pausing in the doorway, I watch her cutting up vegetables on a cutting board I didn’t remember I had. She looks even more beautiful in her element, cooking and laughing with her friends. Warmth fills my chest. I need her here more than I need to breathe.I’m so fucked!
Rachel, seeming to feel me watching her, lifts her eyes from her task. The intense connection that I feel whenever I look at her blazes between us. Her face softens into a gorgeous smile. She takes me in from head to toes and back again. Her pupils flare, letting me know she likes what she sees. When our eyes meet again, I grin and push off the door frame I’ve been leaning on to walk around behind her.
“Something smells delicious, angel,” I murmur, wrapping my arms around her waist. To my delight, she leans into my embrace instead of elbowing my ribs like I’d expected. “What are you fixing for dinner?”
“Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, cauliflower, and baby carrots with cheese sauce, and yeast rolls,” Rachel replies, glancing over her shoulder at me.
“Mmm, sounds scrumptious,” I rumble in her ear. Gooseflesh rises on her arms. “I can’t wait to eat,” I whisper suggestively. She shivers from head to toe.
I have plenty of fantasies of us together. Perhaps once we’ve sent everyone else home for the night, she’ll want to act them out. The room is suddenly too quiet. Lifting my head, I see my sisters-in-law staring at us with delighted grins.
Enos wanders into the kitchen, his eyes raking over the scene. A huge grin forms on his face. “I thought you were coming to get us beers?”
