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The group burst out laughing, and the bartender reached out, taking the beer from Marissa. She’d met the beautiful blonde last time she visited.
Nadia glared at Trevor and the men. “I told them not give him one, Riss. Dobbs said it was for him.” She glanced over to Marissa. “Don’t worry, I’ll watch him. You go have fun.”
“Thanks.” She stepped away, but Trevor pulled her into a side hug.
“You take this mom role pretty serious, huh?”
“Yeah, I do.” She raised her brows. “Are you sorry ya gave me permission to nag?”
Trevor, who had almost a foot on her, smirked. “Just today.”
She swatted his stomach and turned around smiling. She would leave him to try and sneak another beer, but she’d be watching. She scanned the room and locked eyes with Kase, who was standing with Saint. The men were talking, but Kase was solely focused on her.
She had seen him earlier but hadn’t spoken to him.
This was all Kase. From the party to the food and the band, this whole thing was his doing. She started through the crowd toward him. It took her a minute to get through the swarms of people, but when she finally reached him, he was still staring. Saint stopped speaking and glanced over at her with a small smile playing on his lips.
A simple thank you would probably do. It would probably be his preference. Kase was the least affectionate person she knew.
Oh, fuck it.
She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around Kase. His body stiffened, clearly caught off guard by her embrace. She heard a soft chuckle, and she assumed it was Saint. She hugged Kase tightly and turned her mouth to his ear. “Thank you for all this. It’s perfect.” She paused and lowered her voice. “And I never thanked you for the talk in the yard. I needed to hear everything you said. So, thank you.” It was easier to say it without having to see his scowl. She gave him a quick squeeze and prepared to let go.
It would probably be the only time Kase would allow a hug, not to say he was permitting it now. After a brief second, she felt his arms wrap around her back, and he whispered, “You’re welcome.”
She stepped back, releasing him from her hold, and his arm slung over her shoulder. He snorted and shook his head. “Can’t believe I’m related to Fruity Fucking Pebbles now.”
She giggled and rested her head on his chest. It may not have been much, but it was clearly Kase’s fucked up way of granting his approval and accepting her into the family.
“Deep down inside, you’re a good guy, Kase.”
He laughed. “The fuck I am. You can dig to the depth of my fucking soul, sweetheart, and you’ll still be fucking searching for the good.”
She wasn’t buying it. There was good in him. He just hid it better than others.
“Then why’d you do this? And don’t say you did it for Cade when you clearly did it for me.”
He chuckled. “I didn’t do it ’cause I’m good. I did it ’cause,” he paused, “you’re good.”
The tears welled in her eyes. It wasn’t poetry or walls breaking down between them, but for Kase, it was sweet and honest and more than she’d expected from him.
She sniffled and ducked her head.
“My brother knock you up yet, or the fucker can’t even do that shit right?”
She choked on her laugh and wiped her tears. Sweet moments with her brother-in-law would be fleeting. “I heard him tell you two nights ago, so you can cut the bullshit. As I remember Cade saying, ‘Kase turned into a fucking pussy, he was so damn excited.’”
Kase shrugged off the comment, but she noticed the corner of his lip curl. “Your husband’s a dick.”
“And you’re excited about becoming an uncle again.”
Saint burst out laughing, ignoring Kase’s glare. Caden had told her a bit about their friendship. These two had known each other for years. Aside from Caden, Saint was closest to Kase. In some ways, even closer.
“Excuse me.”
Marissa turned, and immediately her face lit up. Bailey had that effect on her.
“Hey, Bailey.”
