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I wrap my arms around her waist, dragging her even closer, and press my lips against her forehead. “It’s all good, baby.”
She sighs a happy sigh, and her shoulders loosen like she needed the contact as much as I did.
Jax takes that as a sign and yanks a fistful of her hair, unintentionally forcing us to look over at Maddox, who’s laughing at my daughter’s obsession with something on TV.
“I swear to God, Kerrigan is usually shy. The fact that she talked to you the other night at the house was a miracle. This... this is just weird.”
Everly hums against Jax’s hand. “Madman always has a way with the ladies.”
“You know I really wanted to hate him,” I tell her, enjoying the happy look on her face.
“I told you.” She kisses Jax’s hand again. “He’s like a brother.”
“I’m way more sane than your brothers, evil twin,” Maddox calls back, clearly having heard every word we said.
“Yeah... I had a talk with your brother.” I stand back, watching Everly charm Jaxon. He’s half in love already, and I’m tempted to say,yeah, kid, same. “Leo mentioned you don’t bring people around your family.”
“I don’t,” she tells me before lifting up on her toes until her lips skim my ear, ignoring the fact we’re in a room full of people. “I told you I wanted to try, Cross. And I meant it. This is me trying. I’ve got no clue what I’m doing, and you scare me to death. But I’m still trying. Just try to remember that when I mess it all up, okay?”
She tries to take a step back, but I tighten my hold and tug her closer. “Your time, Cinderella.”
I press my lips against hers until Jax shoves his fat fingers into my eye, prying us apart.
“Guess the little man doesn’t like to share.” Her sweet voice wraps around me like a fucking blanket. Comforting and reassuring. Hearing her coo at my kids. The way she seems to have taken to both of them and the way they’ve taken to her. I didn’t know how I’d feel about any of this because I never imagined being a single father until I was one. And even then, dating wasn’t my priority. Probably would have stayed that way if I hadn’t met her.
“Neither does his dad.”
“Get a room,” Hendrix yells, and the room erupts around us.
These fuckers are crazy.
“You remember that story about those kids following the pervy piper out of Australia?” Ares asks later that night, while I stand back in the living room, watching both my kids sleep on Everly.
“You make it really hard sometimes, brother. You know that, right?”
“What the hell?” And the scary thing is he’s serious.
“It was the pied piper, and he led the snakes out of Ireland.” I look around at what’s left of the party. My girl may have sworn up and down this was just a regular game, but she had over ten people here and enough food to feed twenty. That’s a party.
“Whatever. I always thought he put the kids in a trance. I was gonna say that’s kind of what your girl has done. I’ve never seenKerrigan so taken with anyone before. And no offense to Everly, but she’s got boobs, and Jax is a boob man. The minute his head hit those, he was a happy baby. So she’s got a fan for life in him.” Ares smacks my back. “Anyway, I’m getting out of here. I’ll see you at home.”
“We’ve got our first preseason game this week, man. Don’t do anything stupid.” If Kingston needs me to step up, a great place to start will have to be with my own brother. “Coach will kick all our asses if you guys get caught fucking up again.”
“I wasn’t doing anything stupid last time. I was just along for the ride,” he argues. “And I won’t do anything tonight either. Just stopping by Boone’s before I head home.”
“Are you okay to drive?” Everly asks him as she joins us, having left the kids with Grace on the couch.
“I only had two beers, blondie. I’m fine. Thanks for having me tonight.” He wraps an arm around her for a quick hug, then leaves.
Guess he’s not always an ass.
I tuck her hair behind both ears and drop a kiss on her forehead. “Did you have a good time?”
I can feel her smile before I see it. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”
“You’re happy, and my kids are happy. It’s a good day.”
Her lips brush my chin. “One of these days, it’s going to be a good night too, Cross.”
