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“Then, Alec’s thoughts on this are a nonevent,” Ryanne added. “Justin, we need our beers over here. We’re living it up today.”
Their excitement was evident, and for a brief moment, I let myself be happy.
AUSTIN
I didn’t know what to expect when Lyria called me on Sydney’s phone to pick her up at The Meetup.
To say I wasn’t nervous would be a lie. Because, shit, if I was going to get grilled by the Loverly clan tonight, I didn’t think I was ready. There was a shit-ton of them. And I knew how protective they got over each other. Like mama lions, all of them.
I pictured their lioness claws destroying all the parts of me I desperately wanted to keep. And for that reason, I waited a little longer in the car, wiping my palms against my jeans.
When I finally stepped out, laughter sounded from the door, and all of the Loverly women emerged, minus Addison.
Alec was not present. I released a heavy sigh of relief. I wasn’t ready for that conversation, especially since I hadn’t told Brandy about us.
Their laughter was boisterous, over the top. Ryanne held Sydney by the waist, her head downturned and lolling back and forth.
And I smiled.
Because my woman was drunk.
Sensing all claws were down, I approached with a little less caution and reached for Sydney, relieving Ryanne from her duties. She fell in my arms. I couldn’t carry her how I wanted to without straining my shoulder, but I let her lean against me, carrying most of her weight.
“So, I’m taking it, the meeting with Logan went so well that you’re celebrating again?”
Brooke threw back her head and laughed. “Oh, we were celebrating all right, but not the Logan deal.” Her eyes raked over me. “We were celebrating Sydney’s …”
Lyria slapped a hand over Brooke’s mouth, giggling. “Sydney’s happiness.”
Serena shook her head, her hands in her pockets, a smile on her face. “Yep, that’s it all right.” She was the only one not toasted, given Lyria, Brooke, and Ryanne were cackling like a bunch of high school girls.
Ryanne’s eyes were glazed over, but she shoved a finger into my chest. “You’d better be a good guy, Austin Callaway. If you hurt Syd in any way … I know people. And I’ve done things that could quite possibly put me behind bars.”
Yep. The claws.
Lyria laughed, slapping Ryanne’s chest. “Look at this girl, pretending to be big and bad when she cries at romcoms.”
Ryanne’s face turned hard. “Remember that annoying cat that you took in when you were ten?”
The smile slipped off of Lyria’s face. “Pebbles ran away. The gate was open.”
“So you think …” Ryanne smirked.
Serena tipped her chin toward the car. “Do you need help getting her in? You should take her to your place. I have a feeling she’ll be better taken care of there. These girls are wasted, and I have a long night ahead of myself.”
Serena pushed Sydney’s hair from her face. “You’re going to feel like shit tomorrow morning. I’m marking you off sick.”
Sydney pouted, and her eyes were still closed. “I wasn’t ever supposed to get this drunk. You’re the reasonable one. Why didn’t you tell me to stop?” There was a lot of whine in her tone.
Serena shook her head and placed a plastic bag in my free hand. “She’s a puker, this one.” She patted my back. “Good luck.”
The other women were laughing their way to the car.
“Bye, Austin. Thanks for giving us a reason to celebrate.” Brooke waved her hand as Lyria slapped her side.
I just shook my head. I had known what I was getting into when I let myself fall for Sydney, but damn, my life sure was going to be more chaotic with all the Loverlys in it.
I ushered Sydney to the car. “So, what did you celebrate?”
