AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Thanks, Tink.” He presses his lips to the top of my head before reaching into the back seat of my car and grabbing all the bags.
“Did you all drive separately?” he asks.
“We took three cars. Kennedy and I went in Declan’s Tahoe. Piper and Jade rode together, and Palmer and Ramsey.”
“We need to all go in and buy a party bus or conversion van or something so we can all ride together.”
“Ha!” I push at his arm, and he doesn’t budge. “We didn’t want to move Blakely’s booster seat, and Palmer already has the base and car seat in her car for the baby.”
“I would expect nothing less coming from Brooks. My brother is nervous as hell for this baby to get here. He’s nervous and excited.”
“A baby is exciting.”
“Agreed. But my brother is going to be one of those dads who drives fifteen miles under the speed limit the day they bring her home.” Sterling chuckles.
“It’s endearing.”
“Yeah, I mean, I like to give him shit for it, but I can’t imagine how I would feel if that were me. I know Declan was scared as hell, but he was in a different situation. Blakely went home from the hospital with her mom.”
“What are you doing tonight?” I ask, changing the subject.
He shrugs. “What do you feel like doing?”
“I’m going to do laundry and wash these new clothes. I need to get a head start on packing for the trip.”
“You took off Wednesday,” he reminds me.
“I know, but I hate waiting until the last minute. Besides, I assumed you’d need help packing, and I could do that while you take care of the yards.” I push open the front door and allow him to step into the house before me, closing the door behind us. Sterling carries the bags into the living room, placing them on the couch before turning to face me.
He points at me and grins. “That is why you are my favorite human.”
“I see how it is. Using me for my laundry and packing skills.”
“Hey, this is mutually beneficial. I mow your lawn. You help me pack and maybe do a load of laundry or two. We both win.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “I guess I’ll keep you.”
He lunges for me. I turn to run from him, but his long-ass legs eat up the distance. He grabs me from behind. His arm tightens around my waist as he lifts me into the air. “You’re stuck with me, Tink.”
He moves his free hand to my side, and I know what’s next. He’s going to torture me by tickling me, and I already have to pee. “Uncle!” I shout before he has the chance. “I give up. I have to pee, and it’s not going to be pretty if you move forward with your plan.”
His laughter fills my living room, and I smile right along with him. “Fine.” He kisses my cheek and sets me back on my feet. I race down the hall to the restroom.
I find him in the kitchen a few minutes later. “What should we eat?”
“Are we hanging out?” I ask him.
“Don’t we always?”
“No. Not always. You go out with your brothers.”
“Well, not tonight. How about homemade pizza? I can go grab whatever we need from the store.”
“I actually have everything we need. I’ve been craving it.”
“Great minds.” He smiles, and I’m once again reminded why he’s my best friend. Sterling really is the greatest man I’ve ever met. He, too, is my favorite human.
CHAPTERFIVE
