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“Nah, she had to head back.”
“Then you need to come. You need to be around family.”
“I need sleep.”
“You can sleep tonight. Besides, if you sleep all day, you’ll sleep like shit again tonight, and the workday tomorrow will suck.”
“You sound like Mom.”
“Thank you.”
I laugh. “Fine, I’ll be there.”
“Good. Mav and Mer are on their way to your place to pick you up.”
“An ambush.”
“Nope, just loving our little brother a little harder today.”
“I’m their big brother,” I fire back.
“You know what I mean. They’ll be there in ten.” The call ends, and I laugh, shaking my head.
I love my brothers. No doubt Rushton was the one who was chosen to call and convince me to come to our parents’ for Sunday dinner. The twins, being my chauffeurs, isn’t necessary, but I’m tired as hell, so I’m going to let them without complaint. Well, I might complain a little, but it’s not going to keep me from climbing into whoever’s truck they're driving and nap all the way there. The entire fifteen-minute drive.
With a groan, I stand from the couch and stretch. I slept for a couple of hours, but I could have used about eight more. I check my phone, certain I didn’t miss anything from Jordyn, but want to double check. Just as I’m sliding my phone into my pocket, it chirps with a message.
Jordyn: I’m home. Sorry, we were rushing to switch cars when I got to the mall. It’s just me home right now.
Me: Glad you made it home safe. Use the time to plan our next visit.
Jordyn: Good idea.
Me: I’m headed to my parents' for Sunday dinner. Rush called and guilt-tripped me, saying Caden missed his uncle Ry.
Jordyn: So many recent additions to the family. I’m going to have to learn their kids' names. I hear you talk about them, but I don’t think I have the order and parents in order in my mind just yet.
Me: LOL. There are a lot of us. That’s fine. They’ll love their aunt Jordyn no matter what.
Jordyn: I never thought I’d get to be an aunt.
Me: I got you covered, sweets.
My heart constricts when I think about her losing her brother and the tragic way it happened. I want to give her the life she deserves, full of so much love and more family than she can keep straight.
Jordyn: Maybe dreams really do come true.
Me: I’ll do everything in my power to make all of yours.
Jordyn: You’re my dream, Ryder.
Me: Back at you, baby.
There’s a knock at my door.
Me: The twins are here to pick me up. We can keep chatting, but if I’m delayed in responding, that’s why.
Jordyn: My mother is on her way home from the country club, so I should go anyway. Enjoy family time.
Me: Wish you were here.
Me: Love you.
Jordyn: Love you too.
The front door pushes open just as I’m sliding my phone into my pocket.
“Are you avoiding us?”
“No, I was texting Jordyn, and she’s my priority.”
They both nod. “You ready?” Merrick asks.
“Yeah, who drove?”
“Mav.” Merrick points to his twin.
“I’m sleeping on the way there.”
“It’s like fifteen minutes.” Maverick laughs.
“Didn’t sleep last night.”
“Oh, did Jordyn keep you up?” Maverick wags his eyebrows.
“She did, but not for the reason you’re thinking. She was sleeping peacefully in my arms where she belongs.”
“Ah.” Maverick nods like he gets it.
“Come on, man, dinner with the family is what you need.” Merrick slaps my shoulder and walks out the door with Maverick on his heels. Grabbing my keys, I follow after them, locking the door behind me.
Sitting in the back of Maverick’s truck, I close my eyes. But I should have known these two jokers weren’t going to let me sleep.
“How was it?” Merrick asks. He turns in his seat as much as the seat belt will allow to look at me.
“How was what?” I play dumb. If he won’t let me sleep, he’s going to have to work for the information he wants. The same information I’m going to have to repeat for the rest of my brothers as soon as we settle in at my parents' place.
“This weekend.”
“Too short.”
“Come on, bro,” Maverick says. “You have to give us something.”
“The woman I love had to hide to see me. She was supposed to be here a little longer, but her cover got called into work early. I laid awake all night, not willing to miss a single second of time with her, even though she was sleeping soundly. The weekend was way too fucking short, and incredible all at the same time.”
“We thought you could use a drink.” This comes from Merrick. “That’s why we offered to come and get you. That and we wanted to make sure you came with us.”
“I have to work tomorrow.”
“I said a drink, not get sloshed, old man,” he jokes.
“I’m two years older than you, assholes,” I fire back.
