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“Ray would love it. Won’t you, buddy?”
Ray hesitantly nods before following Alex and settling on one of the couches.
I get up and turn to my stunned audience. “What? Icanbe charming when needed.”
Lukas and Oscar snort while Kristy giggles. A smile pulls on Beast’s wife, Sophia’s lips, but Rose is still not over the surprise of Hope and Ray’s presence here and Zander’s twisted lips tell me he’s holding his anger by a thread.
Without delving into details, I point to each of my family members and tell their names to Hope. Finally, leaving everyone to figure out how to mingle on their own, I go to fix a drink for myself.
As expected, Zander joins me at the bar. “What the fuck is happening?” he hisses in anger.
“I can’t bring a friend to dinner?” I play cool, preparing the best way to break the news to everyone.
Why didn’t I fucking think of it sooner?
“She is not your friend.”
Behind us, I hear Charlie, Kristy’s son, introducing his parents and baby sister to Ray. “That’s my mom, my dad, and my sister, Chloe.”
“That’s my ma.” Fuck! I hear Ray’s voice. “And I finally got my daddy today.”
Zander stiffens beside me when I turn around.
It looks like the cat is already out of the bag.
“Everybody, I have an announcement to make. Hope and I got married today.”
“You did what?” Zander goes ballistic on me, no longer caring that we have company, including kids.
“Zander.” Zane almost pushes me and our elder brother away from the bar. “Let’s go t-to your office. Beas-st, will you join us, p-please?”
As soon as Zane closes the door, Zander loses his shit.
“What the fuck did you do?”
“What? I didn’t know I needed your permission.”
“Calm down, both-th of you. Let’s-s fucking t-talk like civilized people.”
“There is nothing to talk about. I’m married and have a son. Whoever has a problem with that can go to hell.” I wash down the whiskey I poured myself.
“How did she agree to this nonsense? Does she know how her husband spends his nights?” Zander’s words hit hard, too close to my chest.
“That’s none of your business, for fuck’s sake. What happens between my wife and me is personal.” I’m not going to explain my marriage to anyone, not even my brothers.
“Aren’t you going to ask him anything?” Zander arches an eyebrow at Beast, who is, as always, a silent spectator to our arguments.
“The boy looks exactly as you did the first day I met you.” Beast finally speaks in a wistful voice. There’s an absolute silence and I can hear Zander’s heartbeat slowing down like my own. Beast’s words making us all realize that Ray is not just any kid, he’s like us.
Before I can enjoy this tiny victory, thinking that Zander will finally drop it, Beast asks, boring his gaze into mine, “What does the contract say?”
Fuck! I sometimes hate that he knows me so well.
“There’s a contract?” Zander hisses under his breath.
Gulping down the rising embarrassment, I say, “I promised that I’ll take care of her mother and Ray in every way. She can ask for a divorce at any time. There is no prenup. Except… I cannot promise her my fidelity.”
“What th-the fuck?” Zane swears.
