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“That’s cute, baby. But I’m not going anywhere, okay? I’m yours. Forever.”
I kissed her again as I felt the truth of those words spread through my entire body, and I only stopped to slide that ring on her finger. “If we don’t go right now, I’m gonna fuck you again.”
“Ay,” she giggled, slapping my shoulder lightly as she stood. “We’ll see how much you love me when I have a big ol’ round belly, huh? Come on, let’s get dressed.”
She could think what she wanted for now, but the bigger that belly got, the more I was going to spoil her. Foot rubs, back rubs, all the maternity pillows we could fit in that house ... and all the body worship she could stand.
How could I feel any differently?
~
“The people here arenicer,” Sterling muttered to me. “I tried to suggest a block party in my neighborhood last year and got laughed at.”
I grinned as I started flipping the burgers. “Sounds like you need to move to Domingo, bro. You’re a lot less grumpy nowadays so I won’t even bitch about it.”
“I’m not the only one,” he said pointedly. “Did I see a ring on her finger finally?”
Once again, joy threatened to split my chest in two. “She finally said yes. Told you I was gonna marry her.”
Zeppelin came running over whisper-yelling before he could respond. “She said yes! I just saw her ring, and she’s so damn happy.”
“Led! Did you think you’d ever see the day when your favorite brother settled down?” I asked, pulling her into a one-armed hug and kissing her head. “And I’ve got like six kids, but that part probably isn’t a shock.”
“That part no, but yes, I knew you would. I trust Charlie’s word and he was positive you’d settle down, believe it or not.”
I glanced over to see Mia hugging my father and smiled softly. “That’s not surprising either. He always knows.” Jago caught my eye next, standing there shifting his weight and rubbing his arm nervously, so I handed the spatula off to Sterling and excused myself to go see him. “You good?”
He nodded, not relaxing in the slightest. “Are you sure they’re going to come?”
“I’m sure. He’s behind you, actually.” I took a couple of steps to the side and nonchalantly switched our positions so he could look past me at him. “He’s talking to Jeff, his dad. Still can’t remember his little sister’s name, but she’s the one currently chasing Valentino.”
Jago smiled and blatantly checked him out. “I saw him without a shirt on the other day.”
It was like he forgot any one else was around, and I recognized the look. “Wanna meet him? I’ll take you over there.”
“Yeah, lead the way.” He followed me over and I heard him take a deep breath before we reached Tanner, then he held out his hand before I could even introduce them. “I’m Jago, nice to finally meet you.”
“Finally?” Tanner raised his eyebrows as he shook Jago’s hand, and I didn’t miss the way his eyes raked down Jago’s frame. The kid was looking at my nephew like he wanted to eat him, and maybe I should’ve been more protective — but this was my fault, after all. “What do you mean ‘finally?’”
“He just moved in,” I said quickly. “To my place. I told him he’d be living next to a football player at his new school. I thought you two might get along since Jago here is freshly de-closeted.”
Tanner’s grip tightened and he tugged Jago a little closer, making me take a step back. “Tanner Castillo. Freshly de-relationshipped.”
Jago chuckled. “De-relationshiped, huh? Guess my new uncle here had good timing with something after all.”
“I don’t know what that means, but I’ll take your word for it. Want me to show you around the neighborhood?” he asked, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth with his tongue, and I could see the moment Jago made up his mind.
“Yeah, that’d be nice. You mean right now, or another day?”
“Why not both?” Tanner asked. “We won’t go far today. Just figured I’d get to know my new neighbor a little bit.”
I stepped behind him and mouthed “go!” at Jago, so he nodded slightly and waved a hand. “Lead the way, big guy. How long have you lived here?”
Nailed it.
I basked in my little victory for about eight seconds, then promptly got smacked in the back of the head. “Ow!” I yelled, turning quickly to see Dinora looking livid.
She was speaking Spanish so quickly I had trouble understanding her at first, but I got the gist and raised my palms defensively. “It’s okay, Nora! I gave him condoms last night!”
