Page 57 of Rowdy & Kat

Rowdy asked, “Did you send your moms after him so he’d realize how frightening women can be?”

“No, I beat him up myself.”

Nudging me, Rowdy grinned. “Farley’s moms raised him to be a badass, just like my mom did with me.”

Bebe shared her son’s smile. Everyone was in a wonderful mood despite our stressful morning. Rowdy couldn’t hide how relieved he was to be back in his condo with Goblin nearby. Admiring his smile, I promised myself I would focus on the future and keep my fear of change in check.

ROWDY

The delivered barbecue’s aroma lured Clint and Ivy to my condo. My cousin’s Chihuahua came along, immediately lost his shit at the sight of the cats, and got into a barking battle with Goblin.

“Aww, my heroic dog is protecting the girls from your troublemaker,” I told Clint.

My cousin frowned. “Hanzee has been around cats before. He’s just excited.”

“No, he’s a threat to my fur-daughters. I must ban him from my condo.”

Clint inherited his dad’s blue eyes. Where Ford’s gaze normally seemed low-key hostile, Clint's expression tended to give off a nice guy vibe. I learned early on how my cousin wasn’t nearly as easygoing as he pretended to be.

“I’ll take Hanzee back to our condo while my wife chats with your baby mama.”

I grinned at Clint’s dig at me. Though I considered proclaiming my love for Kat to prove a point, I didn’t want to make the situation weird for my baby mama.

As Clint carried his wiggling dog out of my condo, I watched Ivy bond with Kat, Maria, and my boys.

“Are your ovaries quivering?” I asked Ivy when she cooed over the babies. “Maybe you can give my cousin another small creature to hold.”

Ivy looked up at me. Clint’s new wife was a petite woman, not even five feet tall. Her blonde hair and sweet face made her seem like a living doll. Right now, she glared at me like one of those evil horror movie dolls.

“I’m happy for you, but don’t talk to me about ovaries.”

Unable to help myself, I taunted, “Do you think Clint’s kid will be big like him or little like you?”

“I’m ignoring you now,” Ivy said and squatted in front of Kat and Maria. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m good. A little sore and tired, but happy.”

“Hell yeah,” I said and walked over to Farley, who was making plates with Bebe. I leaned closer and spoke quietly, “When the girl twins put the boy twins to bed, I plan to maneuver the seating plan to make sure your ass is planted next to Maria’s.”

Glancing over his shoulder, Farley muttered, “I don’t need your help.”

“You’re being too passive.”

“She just got here.”

“I know, but we’re having a party at the Sorority House soon. She’ll be surrounded by prime cut biker meat. You need to nail this thing down before one of the other guys makes his move.”

“Why me and not them?”

“Because Maria likes you, and I like you. When I think of spending the rest of my life double dating with one of the guys, you’re my pick.”

Farley studied me. “I don’t believe you.”

“What part are you having trouble with?”

“That you’d choose me. You’re closer to Rock than anyone else.”

“Yes, but he’s a huge asshole. Can you imagine how mean he’d be to poor Maria?”