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“You inviting me over to your house, Everly?” His tone is teasingly low and sexy.
“We’re loud and obnoxious. And if you bring the kids, I can’t promise they won’t hear cursing.” Geez, I’m really selling the hell out of this.
“You sure you want my kids too?” Oh, this man. He’s put himself out there for me, and he’s not sure if I want him to bring his kids. I’m an asshole.
“Yeah, Wilder. Bring the kids. I can ask Lindy to bring stuff for Jax, if it makes it easier.” I’m already wondering how fast Target could deliver a few things. “Does Kerrigan like pizza? Bellamy and Ares are welcome to come too. We’re super low-key for home games. It starts in a half an hour.”
“We’ll be there. Do you need me to pick anything up?”
“Nope. See you soon, Cross.” I end the call and drop my head back against the cabinet. “Brynn, we’re going to need to order more food.”
Our doorman buzzes Cross up just before kickoff, and I’ve got to say, I’m pretty proud of myself. In the time it took Cross to get here, Maddox had West End deliver more food. Also Lindy and Easton have come upstairs with Griffin, and they brought a pack-n-play and a little exerciser thing that’sstill way too big for Griffin but Easton said might work for Jax. And Leo called to say he was coming over too, so I told him to stop and grab more beer. I also told him if he brings Hendrix to not let him fangirl over Cross. Not sure if it will work or not, but it’s worth a shot.
If Cross thought his house was a shit show, he ain’t seen nothing yet.
I open the door and smile when I see him. Cross is carrying Jax in one arm and holding Kerrigan’s hand with the other. He leans down and kisses my cheek as soon as he sees me. “You ready for this?”
The words are quiet. Just for me. And I’m not sure why, but I love that he asked.
“I am, but you may not be.” I step aside, and Kerrigan clings to Cross. “Hi, sweet girl.” I squat down to her level and lower my voice. “There’s lots of people here, but you know what?”
She shakes her head.
“They’re all my friends. And two of my brothers are here. Do you want to meet them?”
She looks to her father, like I’m learning Kerrigan always does first, and waits for his nod, before she takes my hand. I decide to take a chance and scoop her up so she’s sitting on my hip, and then this little girl steals my heart. She wraps her arms around my neck and starts playing with my hair. Yup. I’m a goner.
We walk into the loud family room at the very end of the national anthem, and you can suddenly hear a pin drop because every single person in the room stops talking and stares.Way to make it weird, guys.“Guys, I’d like you to meet my new friends. This is Kerrigan and Jax. And that’s Ares and Cross.”
One beat passes, then another before Kerrigan hides her face in my hair.
“Don’t worry, sweets. I’ve got you,” I tell her as I watch my shithead brothers make a beeline for Cross and Ares.
Why are boys so stupid?
I move over to the girls and introduce Kerrigan to baby Griffin, who’s much more her speed, and watch Cross over her head as he stares at me. It’s getting harder to remember why I’m not supposed to fall for this man.
Cross
“I’m surprised to see you here, man,” Everly’s brother Leo tells me as he hands me a beer.
What the fuck am I supposed to say to that?
“I just mean, evil twin doesn’t usually bring guys around the family.”
Yeah... and now I’m glad I’m holding Jax. It would really suck if I hit Everly’s brother.
“Thanks, man. Appreciate it.” I move around him, and he groans.
“That’s not what I meant.”
Okay. I’m game. I turn around and wait.
“Evil twin is picky. She likes her friends and her family and doesn’t ever bring people into her inner circle. Sheneverbrings guys in. That’s a good thing for you. I might not have said it all flowery and shit, but it was meant as a good thing.”
“You always call your sister evil?” I fucking hate it, and they all do it.
He shrugs. “It’s her nickname.” The front door closes, and Leo looks around me. “Good twin just got home.”
