Jim pointed to each man around him, introducing each with names German forgot half a second later.
Ben squirmed and put his head on German’s shoulder. German glanced over. Ben’s eyes were closed, and he still held the iPad like his favorite stuffed animal. The kid was out. He wished he could fall asleep instantly like that.
German looked at Blaze and chuckled.
Blaze shook his head. He held German’s stare like he couldn’t look away. “He doesn’t speak.”
Huh. Well. That explained everyone staring at him earlier.
Jim spoke up next. “He also doesn’t let anyone hold him, except Dara, of course. You must be a good one.”
German didn’t know what to say. He had never felt more uncomfortable and under a microscope in his life, and that was saying something. “I guess I have one of those faces.”
Jim shook his head. “Kids are like animals. They see people’s hearts.” He slapped Blaze’s back, moving on. “I’m so glad you’re home. There are boxes of shit in your bedroom. I thought that Bond guy was going to make sure fans didn’t send things here anymore.”
Blaze pinched the spot between his eyes. “I’ll take care of it.” He focused on German. “Are you good for a few? I need to call Bond and figure out what to do. It’s actually a pretty big safety concern.”
German nodded. “No problem. If he can’t find a workaround, I can. You know this is my area of expertise.”
Blaze flashed him a grateful smile. He kissed German’s cheek before he headed back toward the house. No one batted an eye. In fact, they were immediately back to arguing about seasonings. It sounded like they would be lucky to get something edible by the time these guys figured it out.
Still, he was also a grilling man. He couldn’t stop himself. “Salt and pepper. Two minutes each side. Done.”
Jim turned back around. “See. Thank you! That’s how it’s done.”
Everyone groaned.
While still chuckling to himself as he wandered away, he spotted a table farther away than the others. A strawberry-blonde haired woman sat alone. The moment his gaze landed on her, she motioned for German to join her. He didn’t hesitate. Germanhad always been that guy. He actively hunted for the loner. The outcast. He had been that person, and he never wanted anyone to feel the way he had.
German claimed the chair next to her. “Hey. I’m German.”
She nodded. Her green eyes were lighter than the rest of the bunch. Freckles smattered her face. “I know. Justin hasn’t shut up about you since you two met. He sent me a picture. I’m Dara.” She rubbed Ben’s back. “He’s such an angel.” Her gaze moved back to hold his. “There really must be something about you. First Justin, and now Ben. That’s the two toughest sells in the family.”
German was flattered. Plus, this was the sibling closest to Blaze. German wanted her to like him. “It’s so odd hearing everyone call Blaze Justin.”
Dara laughed. “There’s no way in hell I’m calling him that ridiculous name. I wish he hadn’t let Bond talk him into changing it. It’s not like it’s mattered one damn bit anyhow. People have no trouble finding out real names in this day and age. But Bond has a way of doing that. He’s a slick talker, and as soon as he played on the fact that Mom is a federal judge, that was all it took. Justin would never let anything happen to this family.”
Every new detail he learned about Blaze made German proud to know him.
Ben’s head popped up. He looked around, blinking. The instant he spotted Dara, he leaned her way. German passed him over.
Ben held his tablet out. “Look, Mommy.”
Dara eyed the drawing, wearing a huge smile. “That’s gorgeous, baby. One day, you’ll be designing those for real. You’re so smart.” She kissed his temple.
Ruth appeared from nowhere. She took the iPad. “It’s time to eat. You know we don’t have our devices at the table.”
Ben deflated.
Dara drew a breath that sounded like she was holding back all the words. She grabbed a bag from the ground at her feet and pulled out another tablet. “Take this one and run. I took a plate of food to our room for you earlier. Go before anyone sees.” She kissed him and set him on his feet.
He took off running for the house, but he went left instead of toward the back door. It seemed there was a different door German hadn’t noticed.
Dara wore a huge grin as she watched him. When he made it inside, she laughed. “Ha. I’m still the mom, no matter where we live.” Her gaze shifted back to German. Her smile slipped a hair. “There’s nothing wrong with him. People just don’t understand him.”
“I know.” Even German heard the conviction in those two words.
Her eyes moved over his face, as if searching for something only she could see. “You’re perfect for him.”
