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“Know you’re gonna be. Because you’re fierce and unstoppable and you have that man to dote on you. Makes my heart happy to know it.”
“Meems,” I muttered, not sure what in the world I was supposed to say.
“It’s good, sweet one,” she assured before she pulled away.
“Come on, guys. She lives ten minutes away and you saw her last night. She isn’t that special.”
Brody said it as he twisted the cap off a beer. His hazel eyes that were a shade darker than mine swam with the tease.
No doubt, he was only trying to shuck off the tension that filled the air.
I huffed with a mocking grin. “Good cover, Brody. I bet you’ve been in your room crying into your pillow every night since I left.”
He slung his arm around my shoulders and gave me a little squeeze. “Maybe the first couple nights.”
More of that love pulsed, then it thrummed out of control when Trevan glanced over at me.
Would it be a bad look if I got to my knees and crawled to him?
“Food’s about ready.” Silas’s hard voice broke through the daze. He was at the grill, trying to act normal, even though he’d fully lost his shit when he arrived at my apartment this morning after he got the call.
Ready to go on a rampage.
He stared at me. Apology woven in his expression. Like I’d ever ask him to change who he was. What he’d become. The shift from the days when I’d been so worried about the path that they’d taken to this.
To the sacrifice they made for the good.
I gave him a fidgeting, reassuring smile.
He swallowed hard, then looked at the rest of the family. “Everyone get your plates.”
A long banquet table had been set up near the grill. It was covered in a white tablecloth and silver chafing dishes filled with every imaginable side.
Next to it was another picnic table, and Kai’s highchair had been brought out and set at the end.
My stomach growled. “Looks to me like Lulu’s been here.”
“Told her to take the day off and we’d handle it, but you know that woman won’t listen,” Silas grumbled.
Food was Lulu’s love language. Well, taking care of the Crows with her food, more like it.
“You won’t find me complaining.” Brody opened one of the lids and dished up a heaping spoonful of mac & cheese.
“Cheese!” Kai caught sight of it from the corner of his eye.
He was instantly locked in.
Laughing, I swooped him out of Brinley’s arms and into mine.
“Do you want some mac & cheese?” Lulu knew it was his favorite.
“Peas!” He gave me a grin full of tiny, gaped baby teeth.
“Auntie Lena to the rescue,” I sang to him, flying him around as we headed for the buffet. I scooped him a small portion, plus some actual peas and baked beans.
Silas already had a piece of chicken cut into minuscule bites for him and set those onto his plate.
“Thank oo, Daddy!”