Page 55 of Crossing Lines

“Holy shit...what is this?”

My brow quirked. “A house…”

“Not that, you dope,” she laughed, “I know that. It’s the Kramer kid’s house. What’s all this?” She waved a hand around.

“Well, now that, I don’t know. Come on, let’s go into the backyard and find out.”

I hefted Ethan’s diaper bag on my shoulder and balanced him against me. I tried to not hover over her, but these crutches and her stability were at odds somedays. I saw movement to theleft of us as I helped guide her around to the back patio. My sister, Chip, Gabe, the Landry’s, the McKenna’s, Doc G, the rest of the Malone’s, and Tank all stood there, watching us. I raised a brow. There had been no other cars in the yard.

“Welcome to your engagement party!” My sister grinned before hugging us both.

“With an added baby shower!” someone else called out, chuckling.

“Our…” Stel wobbled on her crutches. I moved to stand behind her, holding her steady.

“Easy, love.”

“I told you I’d kick you in the nuts for scaring me. Is it too late to add surprising me to that list?”

“Yes,” I said, snickering. “Especially since I’m just as surprised as you are.”

“Well, you see…” AJ started, moving to stand by Chip, as if he could save her from Stella’s sudden glare. “It started with a little baiting and ended with a happy surprise. We had to bust ass to change locations, but here we are. A special place for a special couple.” She grinned again, her eyes twinkling.

“An engagement party?” Stella said, shaking her head.

I gently guided her to a chair at a table that hadn’t been here earlier so she could sit.

“You have both been through so much these past few months. We wanted to do something special for you. Now, give me my nephew.” She didn’t wait for me to comply; she simply took Ethan from me. Stella grumbled something as I sat in a chair, my mind all over the place. What the hell? I chuckled and rubbed the back of my neck.

“Wait, why in the hell are we in someone else’s backyard doing this? Y’all been smoking things or something?” Stella looked at me, her eyes wide.

I glanced around, and my sister gave me the ‘say something, stupid’ look so I did just that.

“It’s our house.”

Chapter 23

Stella

I feltthe heartbeat that was pounding in my chest move to my ears. It was loud, so loud, that I think I momentarily went deaf.

Normally, I hated being surprised. It led to people being hit, or in that one rare occasion, shots were fired. That wasn’t my fault though, dammit. Right this second though, I was torn between genuine shock and embarrassment. Why was I embarrassed? Hell if I knew.

Trace had said this wasourhouse, right? I wasn’t having a stroke and losing my mind? My ears and brain were working together just fine. Our house?

“I can’t believe it!” Peter cracked up.

“What?” Trevor asked.

“He’s stunned her to silence.” My brothers laughed. “She’s never been silent. It’s a miracle.”

I looked up from my hands to Trace’s face. He looked worried. My silence must have caught him off guard too. I couldn’t help the small grin that tried to pull up my lips. I fought it back. My big man was worried about his nuts, not really my response. Probably. Maybe. I could be wrong though.

As I watched him, his brows drew together into a tight line. I knew that look. He was definitely worried that he’d fucked up somehow.

“What’s wrong with her? Is she broken for real?”

When I got up, I was going to use my crutches to beat the stupid out of Peter even if it took me a week. Shana would appreciate it later on; I was sure of it.

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