Page 5 of What About Us

It’s a full fucking house, but it’s perfect.

“How’s the knee?” Easton asks me. He’s the third brother, just two years older than me, and he passes me a Coke because he knows I don’t drink the hard stuff.

“It fucking sucks, thanks for asking.”

Easton smirks just as Harper, our sister, approaches with the baby.

“Someone needs to hold Belle. My arms are tired.”

“I got this.” I hold my hands out and accept the infant, who looks up at me with wide blue eyes and smiles, showing off exactly zero teeth. “Hi, beautiful. I’m your favorite uncle, X. I’m going to buy you your first car.”

“Not today,” Harper says with a wink and wanders off, leaving us with the baby.

“She’s so damn cute.”

“Adorable,” Easton agrees and sips his Coke. He doesn’t drink, either, but for completely different reasons. “Tuck says you’re staying for a while.”

“As long as possible,” I agree, and make funny faces at Belle, who seems entranced by me.

All the women are, sweetheart.

“Let’s sit,” Easton suggests, pointing to the living room chairs behind me, and I won’t admit that I need to take a load off my knee, but it feels good to put my leg up on the ottoman. It’s the end of the day, so it’s a little sore and I’ll be icing it when I get home.

I set Belle’s butt on my thighs and support her back so she can keep looking at me as she tries to chew her fist. She smiles, and it’s a punch to my heart.

“You look good with a baby,” Tucker says as he and Zack join us.

“All of you need to have more of them,” I reply. “Because I won’t be having any of my own.”

“Famous last words,” Tucker says.

“I’m not having any either,” Easton adds, and Tucker just smirks, but Zack nods in agreement.

“Same page, buddy,” Zack says.

“Dude, what’s wrong with you guys?” Tucker asks. “Just find the right girl.”

“I’ve already been accused of fathering more than my fair share of children,” Zack says. “All bullshit, of course.”

“That’s not the same thing, and you know it,” Tuck replies. “Also, learn to keep it in your pants.”

“Fuck you, I never even touched those girls.”

“Yeah, okay.”

“Where’s Ava?” I ask.

I haven’t seen our sister all night, and I notice that Easton’s jaw tightens as he scowls.

“She texted me earlier and said she’s running behind,” Easton replies. “Something about waiting for Chad to get off work.”

“Chad’s pissing me off,” I mutter.

“Same,” Zack says. “We need to talk to that guy.”

I love that Zack is basically one of the brothers. He pretty much grew up at our house, and my dad brought him into the fold the way our dad is known to do.

“Join the club.” Tucker exhales, and his eyes scan the room. When he finds Darby, he softens.