Page 69 of Letting it Ride

I nod as I cut up an avocado for the boys. “I think the chance of twins is pretty rare.” Thank goodness. Because one baby is plenty of work.

“Isn’t it a higher chance if there’s twins in your family?” He looks so worried that I can’t help but laugh.

“Josie did IVF. They put two of them in there in the first place. Plus, even if it was natural, I’m not actually related to Josie by blood.” I love when people forget we’re all adopted, though.

“Oh. Right.” He breathes a sigh of relief, which is kind of adorable, and also kind of terrifying, because it means he’s considering having kids. With me, if I’m reading things right, which is even more terrifying, but maybe not a bridge we need to cross just yet.

I set tiny pieces of avocado in front of each of the twins, one or two at a time. They grip each piece so tight it’s a squished mess by the time they smear it on their faces.

“It looks like they ate Kermit the Frog,” Cam comments, scrunching his nose.

I giggle. “Kind of. At least it’s on their face and noton the—” I break off and sigh as James throws his avocado off the tray. “Floor. I’ll pick it up when they’re done. Cleaning while they’re still eating is like shoveling while it’s still snowing. Pointless and you’ll just get a bunch on your head.”

I end up having to slice another avocado, because the twins just keep eating. And eating.

I suddenly remember the email my mother sent me about how many these boys eat. Didn’t she say they went through like fourteen or fifteen in a few days?

“Maybe if you boys would eat fewer avocados, your moms could afford a house,” I joke, even though Chris and Josie already own their home. Just outside of Boston, which is a little far away if you ask me, but they love it there.

We follow the twins around as they explore the non-baby-proofed house. Cam is definitely out of his depth, but I admire the way he’s not only sticking with it, but also trying to maintain a good attitude. And if anything, he’s gotten more comfortable over the last couple hours.

I know a lot of guys who would have said “fuck this” and left after the pee incident. Because if you want to get technical, this ismyfamily.Mysister asked me to babysit. These aremynephews. Cam is just along for the ride.

My heart warms as I watch him across the room, his eyes on Leo.

“Come here, you little terrorist,” Cam says, darting toward the baby. He removes Leo’s hand from where it’s gripping Jasper’s fur and sets the baby down in the opposite direction.

Jasper, for his part, looks tortured, but he continues to sit there dutifully while the twins use him as a jungle gym.

Cam detours toward James, who is reaching under the couch for something. I gag a little as he comes up with a dust bunny and sticks it in his mouth. Cam reaches for him, and I follow Leo to where he’s trying to climb the stairs. It’s only been a few hours, and we’ve settled into an easy rhythm.

I lift Leo into my arms and carry him back toward the living room. Cam looks over at me and smiles. He has James in his arms, the dust bunny now gone. I tilt my head and smile back as Cam walks toward me. Maybe he’s getting the hang of this baby thing after all.

I shift Leo to my hip as Cam leans in and kisses me, slow and sweet. The babies actually respect our moment, both of them silent in our arms. I’m lost in the feel of Cam’s lips on mine.

I don’t even hear the front door open, until Josie speaks up.

“Um, hi. How’s it going?” my sister asks.

Cam and I break apart to exchange wary glances.Shit.

We’re going to have to tell Maddox before Josie does.

26

CAM

Aloud knocking on my door makes me jump. I set down the soda can on the coffee table before I stand and open the door to find Maddox. I’m about to ask him how his honeymoon was when I see the expression on his face.

He’s not here to chat. He’s pissed.

“What the hell did you do to my sister?” he demands.

Shit. I was supposed to be the one to tell him. Did Addie say something? Did Josie rat us out?

If anything, my money is on Josie mentioning it in a benign way, probably blissfully unaware that she was supposed to keep this relationship under wraps.

“Come on in,” I say as he barges past me.

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