Eager and excited eyes turn to him, and the anticipation is building. Cade takes Oaklee’s hand and says, “Oaklee is movingin with me.” When the room erupts into congratulations, he holds up his hand. “I’m not done!” He gives his girlfriend the sweetest smile that makes tears burn my eyes. Slowly, he brings her left hand up, and it’s the first time we catch sight of the big sparkly diamond on a very important ring finger.
The noise grows to an almost deafening level as everyone hoots and hollers.
Collin just shakes his head. “You just had to one-up me, didn’t you?”
Cade grins mischievously. “Too slow, brother. You could have proposed, but no,” he sings. “I beat you!”
Everyone is talking at the same time, and I have no idea what comes over me. I stand up and blurt out, “I’m pregnant!”
All the chatter just…stops.
“What?” Collin asks, confused by my outburst.
“Haha, beat you both,” I mutter, dropping back down on my chair and taking a bite of my potatoes.
No one moves.
No one says a word.
“You’re…pregnant?” Camden asks slowly, as if trying the words out for the first time.
“Congratulations,” Oaklee hollers, breaking the silence.
“Thanks,” I mumble, chewing.
“Who is the father?” Cade demands, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Wait, she’s joking,” Camden says with an awkward laugh. “You know, because you and I had big announcements. She’s just teasing.”
“Nope. Definitely not teasing,” I say.
“Then again, I ask, who is the father?” Cade insists.
I keep my eyes on my plate, as if it holds state secrets or something. Before I can figure out how to say the words, someone else throws them out into the universe.
“Me. I’m the father.”
All eyes turn to Quinn, including my own. Those dark orbs are soft, gentle, and so full of excitement, it steals my breath.
“Outside, Garrison!” Cade bellows, dropping Oaklee’s hand and pointing to the backyard.
“Oh my G—” I start but am interrupted.
“Yep. Outside,” Collin agrees.
Camden still looks confused. “You got my sister pregnant?” he asks almost absently.
“Stop it, right now.”
“Nope, he broke the rules, and now he has to pay the price,” Cade insists, pushing his chair in, plate of food forgotten.
“This isn’t funny,” I say, but it falls on deaf ears.
Quinn looks at me and says, “It’s okay,” as he pushes back and heads for the back door off the kitchen.
“No blood on the floor, boys!” Dad hollers, making me gasp.
“Daddy!”
