He shrugs his broad shoulders. “It’ll be fine, sweetheart. Sometimes men have to figure things out for themselves.”
“They are not fighting in the backyard,” I insist, falling in line as we all practically run out the back door to catch up.
I push past Oaklee and Lizzie to hear Cade ask Quinn, “Where do you want it? Face or stomach?”
“A busted lip isn’t going to change anything,” Quinn says, standing there with his arms at his side.
“Yeah, but it’ll make me feel better,” Cade says.
“You are not punching him,” I declare, taking off to where my three brothers have Quinn surrounded. Camden still looks shell-shocked.
“Yes, we are. We each get a shot,” Cade insists, arms crossed over his chest in an attempt to be intimidating. I’m sure he would be incredibly frightening in most other situations, but to me he’s just my big, dumb brother, and I don’t find it scary.
It’s annoying.
“You can’t hit him,” I affirm, shaking my head and crossing my own arms in front of my chest.
“Why not?” Collin asks, his eyes narrow as he watches.
“Because I love him!”
Everyone seems equally shocked by my outburst, myself included. I even hear a gasp or two behind me, but my eyes fly toward the man standing in the center of the circle, ready to take a few punches.
I step toward him, my heart hammering in my throat. His eyes track my every step.
When I reach him, he whispers, “You love me?”
“Yeah,” I murmur softly. “I realized it right then and there, when you were about to take three punches from my brothers and you didn’t appear scared or worried. There was this confidence about you, and it felt like nothing could touch us. Not my stupid brothers, not anything. And it hit me in that moment, I’m in love with you. Have been, really, but I was too scared to see it.”
I take a deep breath. “I know we made a simple mistake,” I start, but he cuts me off with a finger to my lips.
“Not a mistake, Charli. Anything that gave me you and our baby can’t be considered a mistake. This pregnancy might not have been planned, but it wasn’t a mistake. That night was fate. He or she is loved so much already and wanted and will be the best of both of us. I can’t wait to experience every moment with you.”
Tears prickle my eyes once more and I nod. “Fate.”
He searches my face before removing the space between us. His hands move to my face, his fingers threading into my hair. “Say it again.”
I roll my eyes playfully, knowing what he means, and am happy to oblige. “I love you.”
He gives me a panty-melting smile that makes warmth flood my panties. “I love you too.”
Then, he lowers his mouth to mine and applause is heard behind me. If I wasn’t lip-locked in an orgasm-inducing kiss, I’d give my girls a thumbs-up, but I’m a little busy right now.
“I don’t want to see that,” Collin mutters.
“Knock it off, Garrison, or the punch circle is back on,” Cade adds, making us both chuckle.
“Come on, my little cactus. Let’s show everyone our peanut,” Quinn says, pulling back and taking my hand.
I turn and see tears in my mom’s eyes and smiles on everyone’s faces. Well, everyone but Camden, who still seems a bit shocked by all that’s transpired and is scratching the side of his head.
“Everyone, Quinn and I are having a baby.”
Mom moves first, wrapping me in her arms and kissing my cheek. “I’m so happy for you and Quinn.” She pulls back and levels me with a look. “And I knew it!”
“Knew I was pregnant?” I ask.
“No, that was a pleasant surprise. I knew you two would end up together. I called it years ago,” she says with another hug.
