Page 86 of Taming the Boss

“Yeah, and whose fault is that? Always took you forever to make a damn move, brother.”

My neck was starting to hurt from looking back and forth between my brothers. Holy shit, that was weird to even consider. These two men were my brothers.

And Syd was only my half sister, though she’d never be that as far as I was concerned. We’d been tight for so long, that bond could never be diminished. Especially since I didn’t even know these men.

“I wasn’t referring to sex before, but parenting. I fucking love being a dad and I didn’t even think I wanted kids at all.”

“Same,” Oliver said, cocking a brow, reminding me of my own preferred expression. Maybe we were carbon copies of each other and how strange was that? “Who’s Owen’s mom? Obviously, not Maddie since she doesn’t have any kids.”

“Yet,” I added. “Though she’s already acting like his mother. More so than his own mother, actually.” Briefly, I told them about Melissa, though neither of them had ever met her.

“How did you get to know Maddie?” Seth asked, ordering another round of Guinnesses for us. I didn’t object, as much as I probably should have. But I hadn’t been well and truly soused in years.

Probably not since the night I’d made Owen, in fact, and I hadn’t even been drunk then, just buzzed. Due to my recent discovery of some photos that had led me to the knowledge of my brothers, I’d come to the Cove to stalk them and to unintentionally deepen my local roots. But I hadn’t known the full story then, that was for damn sure.

I might never know it, since I didn’t intend to discuss it with my mother. I avoided her as much as humanly possible on a good day, and what I’d learned today certainly hadn’t changed my mind.

But Owen would probably need to get to know his grandmother. My kid needed family. If I disavowed her, fine, but I wouldn’t make that choice for my son.

“I put an ad in the paper for a nanny,” I said blearily, leaning on the bar. “Maddie applied, though I didn’t realize she had when I first met her at her florist job. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me other than my son. It’s only been a short time, but I know I want to be with her. Forever. So, I guess you don’t even need to answer the question about how do you know it’s forever. I know.”

“Does she want that too?” Oliver questioned.

I shrugged. “I’m not a swami. I wish I could give her space so I don’t rush her into something she may not be ready for. She’s not as old as I am. But I’m fucking ready to nail her down, so…problem.”

“May not be one at all.” Seth took a long sip after the bartender set down his Guinness. “Dude, look where you are.”

“A bar?”

“No, Crescent Cove. Babies and families are the backbone of this town. Nowadays, if you date someone for more than a week without proposing or knocking her up, people say your romance is slow burn.” He let out a loud laugh. “And I’ve known my wife since she was fourteen, so people think we’re the slowest burn ever.”

“He’s neglecting to mention the wife he had in between,” Oliver said behind his hand.

“Yeah, and who introduced me to her? Huh? Notice how he’s quiet now.”

“Do you two ever stop arguing?”

“Basically, no, but it works for us. And he’s the same with Sage. However, Ally and I are best friends and soul mates and don’t ever argue.”

“I don’t even know you, and I know you’re lying.”

Seth narrowed his eyes at me. “Yet another smart ass, huh?”

“Not being a smart ass, just calling you on your shit. As I’m sure you’ll do with me in time.”

“In time being like a half hour.” Oliver smirked as he tipped back his own drink.

A group of people clustered near the window, and I wandered over to see the fireworks finale that everyone was oohing and aahing over. I hoped Maddie and Owen were having fun. And while I didn’t regret spending this time with Seth and Oliver, I couldn’t deny I was bummed at missing some of my boy’s first holiday here.

But we’d have lots of other holidays with Maddie. I would make sure of it.

Seth came over to clap me on the back. “Had enough? I know you didn’t want to miss out with your son and your girl, but I’m glad we had this time.”

“Yeah, I am too.” Oliver came up on my other side. “I really am sorry, man, that I fucked up telling you so badly. I just suck at emotional crap. I should’ve made Dad tell you.” He snorted. “Not that he’s some Martha Stewart.”

“Martha Stewart?” Seth echoed. “She does home shit like our dear old mommy.”

Oliver belched and pounded his chest. “Whatever.”

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