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“Yeah,” Blake confirms. “She was nervous about it, but she needs some time for herself.”
“Pretty crazy that Mom and Dad take the kids in overnight,” Logan says. “Suppose raising the bunch of us was practice enough.”
“No idea how they did it,” Sebastian says.
Logan claps his shoulder. “You’re on your way to find out, with two more coming in a few months.”
He and Ava shared the news yesterday. Is it my imagination, or does Sebastian look tense?
He takes a long swig of his beer, nods. “My worst fear—not being able to provide for or protect my wife and kids. Either because I die, or worse, become incapacitated and they have me as a burden.”
Everyone at the table falls into a stunned silence. I can’t even count the instances in which Sebastian voiced fears on one hand. This must be weighing very hard on him.
“Your wife is a strong woman,” I say eventually. Everyone else seems still too stunned to react. “She’d manage no matter what life throws her. And you have us. No matter what happens, we’d take care of Ava and the kids. You can count on me, on all of us.”
Sebastian nods, but still looks out of his depths. Logan seems to snap out of his stupor, backing me up immediately. The others chime in too, reassuring my oldest brother.
“Never seen him like this,” I comment to Christopher ten minutes later when we line up at the bar to bring more beers.
“I did,” he says quietly. “When he found out Ava was pregnant the first time. Alice and I were with him. He was wondering if he’d be a good dad, things like that. Gave us a bit of a shock, to be honest. But I understand where he’s coming from. When Victoria got pregnant, I had some of those thoughts myself. She read up about it, said they happen. Never thought they’d happen to Sebastian because he’s always in control, always sure of himself. And why the hell is it taking so long to get some beers?”
It takes us five more minutes to finally return to the table. I turn to my twin.
“Blake, honest feedback: your bartenders are slow as fuck. Took them forever to take our order.”
“Oh, shit,” Blake says. “That’s not on the bartenders. It’s on me. Told them to go slower after our third round. We still have to get the girls. Better be able to walk in a straight line while we’re at it.”
Logan gapes at him. “Never thought I’d live to see the day when Blake’s the most responsible of the bunch. Fatherhood’s done wonders for you, baby bro. Now, make sure this one follows in your footsteps. Settles down and everything.” He hooks one thumb in my direction.
“Oy, I’m right here. I can hear you,” I say in mock offense. It’s been too long since Logan rode my ass. Used to do it far more often in my early twenties. In all honesty, I did need that then. Nothing like a big brother breathing down your neck to motivate you to get your shit together.
“You were meant to hear it,” Logan informs me. “You pull a stunt on Caroline like you did last time, it’s not going to be pretty.”
One thing I can always count on: my brothers won’t hold back punches. Literally or figuratively.
Blake jerks his head back. “Logan, if you want my help cornering Daniel, I’m gonna need more heads-up than this.”
Perfect. Blake will have my back. Twin bond and all that.
Pointing a finger at me, he says, “I’m with Logan. Any funny business and I’m decking you.”
Twin bond’s worth shit tonight, apparently.
“Whose side are you on?”
He doesn’t hesitate. “Caroline’s.”
“So am I.” I raise my glass to them. “And guys? Leave the cornering to our sisters. They’re so much better at it.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Caroline
For a variety of reasons, Monday isn’t my favorite day of the week, but today I’m borderline panicking. Ever since I arrived this morning, I’ve had the impression that Karla and Helen are talking about me. Am I being paranoid? Have I done something wrong? Surely the principal would have told me.
During the afternoon break, I head straight to the staff room.
I find Karla and Helen with their heads together, stopping dead when they see me, straightening up.
