Page 147 of The Chance

I grin and stand to hug him. “That was all him. He’d still be in bed if it were up to me.”

Peach’s knowing smirk curls his lips as he slaps my shoulder.

“Then he’s coming to my appointment after this.”

Tipping my head, I couldn’t stop the grin from widening on my face, even if I wanted to try.

Ian greets me next with a lift of his chin and a bump to my fist. “You good?”

I nod, the lightest I’ve felt in a long time.

“Yeah,” I breathe out. “Thanks for coming to support him.”

The man shrugs. “Not here for just him, kid.”

That burning takes over the backs of my eyes. “Right. Yeah, uh, thank you.”

Snickering, Ian steps aside and I’m smacked with the narrowed sight of Mac’s twin accompanied by a second set of brown eyes in near slits.

“Broby!” Mac cackles and jumps on his back, momentarily stealing the second man’s attention.

“Rex,” I state and offer a hand that my drummer’s brother glares at.

“Jordan,” he greets with a deep timbre and grips my palm.

I give it back just as hard.

It’s a contrast to the last time I saw the man, Peach laid out on a hospital bed between us, and I welcome it.Thisis the RexThompson I know. The overprotective brother. The loyal friend. Brave confidant to the man that I love.

I hope I never have to see another version again.

Mac comes back to my side when his brother relents to glaring at me from a distance and I smile.

The room continues to fill with each and every one of Mac’s, and mine, extended family to the point that it’s basically standing room only.

Anna and Leo. Lugh. Fin with Cedar and Jonathon.

There’s an idle chatter that eases me, an aura of love circling around the space that’s intoxicating enough to have me leaning into Mac close enough to whisper.

“Think they can tell I’m yours?”

He chuckles, the hint of a flush tinting his cheeks, and leans back enough to meet my gaze.

But then I lift my hand, palm up, fingers spread in offering.

His eyes go wide and glassy.

“You sure?” he mouths, and I nod.

“Of you? I’malwayssure, Vida.”

The smile that stretches his face wide is somehow still soft as he threads his fingers between mine and tucks our hands at his side.

“Hey, fuckbuckets!” There’s just as many grumbles about his choice of language as there are chuckles as the room turns their attention on him. He’s vibrating when he spares me a final glance, one last attempt to back out, before opening his mouth and telling our combined family; “Jordan and I are so gonna fuck after this, so don’t invite us over.”

“Vida,” I snap with wide eyes and an immediate flush.

The smirk plastered on his face is devilish. “You knew what you were signing up for, baby. Now kiss me.”

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