Page 19 of Branded Hearts

Seems like things never change with her. I snort, shaking my head at our predictable family dynamics.

As Xavier and I sit on the back deck of our family home, the sun dipping low on the horizon, we each nurse a cold stubby, the reward for a hard day’s work, well, for Xavier at least—mine’s been cruisy. Can’t complain.

“So, Liv actually did something useful today,” Xav chuckles, breaking the comfortable silence between us. I raise an eyebrow, prompting him to continue.

“Yeah, she held the shearers for me while I did all the work,” he says, shaking his head. “That girl, I swear.” I can’t help but chuckle at Liv’s antics. She’s always been a character.

“How was work?” Xav asks, turning the conversation to me.

“Good. The boss was pleased with some work, so I finished early,” I reply.

“Good stuff.You’ve been putting in those extra hours, eh?”

“Yeah,” I confirm, nodding slightly.

“Well, you deserve it. Cheers to that.” Xav raises his bottle, and I follow suit, clinking our bottles together in a silent toast.

“How are you and Isla doing?” I inquire. “Especially, you know… after the wedding and everything that’s happened.”

Xavier’s expression shifts, a flicker of discomfort crossing his features. “Isla’s—she’s good,” he replies, a bit too quickly. “Yeah, we’re good.”

I raise an eyebrow, too perceptive to not know when something is up. Something is in fact up, and I can see it all over Xavier’s face. I watch as he gulps down the rest of his beer, avoiding my gaze.

“You sure?” I press, knowing Xavier well enough to sense when something’s not quite right.

Xavier downs the rest of his drink, and I can see the nervousness written all over his face. Apart from his wedding, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this jittery.

He clears his throat before blurting out, “Isla’s pregnant.”

Well, fuck.

I’m taken aback by his announcement. That’s… that is definitelynotwhat I was expecting.

“Oh. For real?”

Xavier responds with a snarky comment. “Nah, I’m lying, Brad,” he scoffs. “Yes, for real!”

“Pregnant?” I repeat, trying to process the information. “But... how?”

Immediately, I mentally kick myself. Of course, I knowhow. That was a dumb question. Judging by the look on Xavier’s face, it’s like he knows exactly what I’m thinking.

“Do I really need to tell you how?” he says with a smirk.

I roll my eyes. “No, I’d rather not. What I should’ve asked is,whendid you two find out?”

“A week ago,” Xavier admits, looking sheepish. “It’s still early days, and we weren’t planning on telling anyone yet. Fuck, I wasn’t supposed to say anything.”

I can’t help but shake my head. Trust him not to be able to keep it together. But in all honesty, fuck, I’m really happy for him. He deserves it.

“All good,” I say. “I’m happy for you and Isla. Truly.”

“Stop it. You’ll make me tear up,” he says, playfully smacking my shoulder.

Fucking idiot, he is.

“Nah, I appreciate it, bro. I really do. Fuck, I’m just—” His words trail off, as he takes off his cowboy hat—as Isla calls it—before running a hand through his unruly hair.

“You’re what? Are you and Isla both... happy about all this?” I ask, frowning slightly. Fuck, now I really don’t know what’s going on in his head.

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