Page 62 of Claim Me

“She is.”

“Well, I assumed she felt you were the only man she’d ever love.”

“Siobhan’s heart isn’t gnarly like ours,” Sync says. “It’s perfect and pretty. That’s why she can love more than one man, but you and I only get one shot with a woman.”

“That makes sense.”

Sync walks around me like he’s thinking about kicking my ass. When he steps back in front of me, he shakes his head.

“I can’t believe you waited all this time.”

“Siobhan says I wasn’t ready until I saw Bear and Tack hook up with their women.”

“That makes sense. Siobhan’s smart about things.”

“Are you angry? I can’t tell what your expression means.”

“I’m irritated you didn’t fess up years ago. I’d have told you to make your move. Siobhan was lonely, and those guys she tried dating were garbage. I kept worrying she’d marry a loser, and he’d turn my girls into shitheads. We could have skipped all that if you’d just hooked up with Siobhan.”

“I wasn’t ready.”

“Fair enough. I rushed into things with Siobhan. Being dumb doesn’t work for anyone except Pork Chop.”

Studying him, I can’t stop myself from asking, “If you had taken things slower, do you think you and Siobhan would have worked out?”

“No,” he replies immediately. “I like being single more than I liked being with Siobhan. She’s great and I love her, but it was too much. I suffer from zero regrets, of course. My girls are a fucking dream.”

“They are,” I say and smile at how the twins talked so much at breakfast. “They really like having the dogs at the house.”

Sync studies me and exhales deeply like he’s been holding his breath for a while. “I’m glad it’s you,” he says and nods. “Not just as the guy helping to raise my girls. I’m also glad it’s you who will love Siobhan.”

“Thanks, man,” I say, feeling unsure after assuming he’d be pissed.

“And I hope you have a boy.” When I just stare at him, a smile grows on his face. “Pork Chop let your little secret slip when I was at the farm yesterday.”

“Well, yeah, I didn’t expect that to happen right away.”

“No, but it’s good. Everyone’s having babies right now.”

We glance at Bear and Tack talking about nurseries. Golden pretends to be asleep, going as far as to snore.

“We’re cool, right?” Sync asks before I can ask the same thing.

“I figured you’d be upset.”

“It was weird at first, just because I never saw it coming. Now, it makes sense, and I’m glad we can act normal again.”

“Siobhan doesn’t want everyone to know about the baby yet.”

“Well, if people hear the news, it won’t be from me. But Pork Chop struggles with secrets. When he gets excited, everyone’s private business flies out of his mouth.”

Joining the other guys near the garage, I take a Monster drink and help Sync with his car. We fall back into our old routine. My relationship with Siobhan is viewed as normal. For the first time in a very long time, I can spend time with my friends without keeping secrets or fearing judgment.

SIOBHAN

Late autumn arrives in Banta City, bringing chillier weather and holidays. Indigo and I find a routine. We keep busy with my girls and his boys. Occasionally, we get the house to ourselves and I walk around naked like a wild woman.

As November arrives, Natasha is a month from her due date. The Kovak Syndicate’s security insists she throws her baby shower at the Thibeaux Mansion, where her parents live. Much like her wedding, this party will be less about her feelings and more about making a good impression on Banta City’s heavyweights.

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