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"We'll take the next one," John says, shaking his head. Nick rears back, his head popping out of the bear's bulk, meeting my eyes and I give him a nod. He seems satisfied, and the doors close on them. "This fucking family. All crazy," John mutters, staring up at the numbers above the doors. "I don't even know why I'm going. I don't really know Holly and Micah that well."
Janey pats him on the arm. He gives her a beleaguered look that doesn't phase her at all. "You're going," she says, "because you're family. And that's what family does." He grunts in response, but I see a hint of warmth in his gaze. He's starting to get sucked into the Brash orbit. He's never getting out, he just doesn't know it yet.
The elevator ride down is peaceful, but Janey keeps looking at me. She has questions, I know it, but she's too sweet to ask me them in front of John. I'm not sure I'm ready to talk about anything. It feels too special. Nick and I have been in a little bubble, just the two of us, but that bubble is about to be blown wide open. More specifically, I'm going to stop hiding. I want us to be in the light. I don't want to hide what I feel anymore. But for tonight, I'd like to keep the bubble. Tonight isn't about us.
The doors open on the garage level into absolute chaos. It looks like everyone is down here, all arguing about what vehicles they're taking and who's driving. I catch bits and pieces as we walk closer.
"It snowed again this afternoon. We need the clearance of the trucks."
"The minivan is easier to get into."
"You better strap that fucking bear in the back."
Maverick's gasp is audible. "It's not riding in the back asshole. It'll get dirty. It needs its own seat."
"It'll fill the entire fucking car."
Maverick glares at Kade, then flings open Kade's back door. Still bear hugging the bear, he does a slow lean in, pushing the stuffed animal into the back seat. I slide over to get a better view, and watch as his feet slide on the concrete, before finally flipping into the air. His brothers, busy arguing, don't seem to be paying any attention to him. Chuckling, I move to the truck.
"Do you need some help?" I ask his feet. The rest of him is wedged in the footwell under the massive bear.
"That would be good," he says, voice muffled under the golden fur.
I grab his ankles, and tug. With quite a bit of grunting on his end, we manage to pull him out. I carefully lower his legs to the ground, and watch his ass shimmy out of the car. The man has a spectacular ass. I may be in love with Nick, but I'm not dead. I can admire a well put together backside.
Holy shit. I'm in love with Nick.
"Bree? You okay?" Maverick asks, peering at me closely.
Oh yeah, peachy. Just realized I'm madly in love with your brother and freaking out about it. "Fine. I'm fine." I give him a quick smile. He searches my face, but thankfully lets it go. The man is sharp, and seems to read people as easily as Nick does. He knows something's up, but he's either too distracted or too kind to ask.
Doors slam as the men pile into the trucks. Maverick shoves the back door shut, and jumps into the front. He looks at me questioningly, and I shake my head and back up. "I'll jump in with someone else. There's no room back there." He nods and shuts the door. Kade doesn't waste any time driving out of the garage.
Two more trucks peel out after it, and move back toward the elevator to stand with Janey and John. "Did anyone see Holly?" I ask.
Janey and John trade glances and shake their heads. At that moment, the elevator doors open behind us. We all turn to find Micah hovering around a smiling Holly. Becca, and Evie are holding her arms, looking cheerful. Colton's in the back loaded with bags.
"It's baby day," Holly says happily. "Finally," she adds with a bit of a scowl. She's not overdue, but I can imagine she's beyond exhausted and ready to get her body back. It can't be easy for someone so small to carry a baby as big as hers looks to be.
"Yes, it is!" Janey cheers.
"Where's everyone?" Micah asks.
"Well, you see," Janey begins, trying to find a nice way to say it. She gives up and mumbles, "they left."
Becca's eyes widen as she steps out of the elevator. "They left? To the hospital? Without Micah and Holly?"
I'm expecting it, and she doesn't disappoint. Becca collapses against the concrete wall, howling with laughter. I can't help but join in when Micah mutters, 'Fucknuts'.
"I wonder how long it will take them to realize they left us behind?" Becca wonders, still laughing, as she pulls a set of keys out of her pocket. "Doesn't matter. Let's get you to your car, honey. You and Micah can settle in the backseat, and I'll drive you there nice and safe."
"My truck's safer," Colton says, trying to guide them in that direction. Colton is everyone's caretaker. I'm not surprised he'd like to drive.
"Where's Mia," I ask, peering behind him for their little girl.
"Declan and Cara took her to a play place, then for dinner. She's been a little cooped up and needed to burn off some energy."
Micah steers us toward a Lexus SUV. "Holly's car...best." He's probably right. The luxury SUV is lower to the ground than the truck, but it has all wheel drive and every safety feature imaginable. It'll also be easier for Holly to get in.
