Page 135 of Shattering Nash

He walked away, shaking his head, and she couldn’t help but smile. She turned to the door and opened it wide. There he was. There were things in Charley’s life she’d always regret. Choices and decisions she could’ve made differently. This was not one of them.

Her brother, Cody, held up a box with a smile playing on his lips. “She told me you and Nash said she couldn’t have this, so like a good uncle, I got it for her. Don’t let your husband beat the shit outta me.”

Charley eyed the box, knowing exactly the contents.Hermit crabs.For a seven-year-old who lacked the maturity to handle most live pets, they’d been adamant she had to wait.

“You need to worry more about me kicking your ass than Nash.”

Cody laughed, stepping into the house and wrapping his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his side. If anyone had told her years ago that this would be the outcome, she might not have believed them. But she would’ve wanted to. Charley never gave up hope on Cody, even through the darkest days. And there were a lot of those. She recognized that not everyone got this type of happy ending. It made her more thankful for the one she and her brother had been given.

He dropped his hand to his side and grinned with his eyes aimed to the end of the hall. Charley followed his gaze and smiled when she saw her daughter racing through the foyer.

“There she is.” Cody crouched down and braced for impact. He had to with Tabitha. She was a redheaded hurricane. She jumped into his arms and her present wiggled in his hand. Charley reached for it, but Cody tightened his fingers, stabilizing the present. Charley watched their embrace.

“Mom says I have to wait to open presents until after cake.”

Charley bit back her smile.

“Well, you might want to make this one a priority. Oxygen is important.” Cody winked, and Tabitha gasped, covering her mouth with her hands and bouncing on her toes.

Dammit, Cody.She sent her brother her best attempt at a glare, but when their eyes met, he chuckled.I’m still working on my intimidation tactics.

“Here, take it.”

Tabitha swiped the present from his hands and smiled up at Charley. This girl!Tabitha rushed off down the hallway, but she was careful not to shake the box. That was something.Right?

She glanced up at her brother. He had a serene, content gaze aimed at the end of the hallway. Charley found herself repeating the same statement from years ago but a different scenario.I don’t know how we got here. But I’m glad we did.

Charley hooked her arm through her brother’s. “You’re one of her most favorite people.”

He jerked his head, furrowing his brows. “Not her number one?”

Charley chuckled and shook her head. “Cousins are first. Oz takes second. But you’re third.”

Cody snorted. “I’ll take bronze.”

This was how she remembered him before the accident. Before the addiction. This was Cody.

He looked down at her. “You look good. Healthy. You put on weight?”

Charley gasped and slapped his chest. “And this is why you’re still single. You don’t say that to a woman.”

His lips twitched. “Well, I wouldn’t have, but Tabby outedthe secret. She’s stoked to be a big sister.”

Her and Nash had gotten pregnant so easily with Tabitha. They made the decision, and one month later, she was pregnant. Charley had thought it would be the same down the line. It wasn’t. They’d tried for years. A year ago, they been resolved and content with being a family of three. A few months ago, the bout with what she thought was a stomach bug turned out to be their second child. It was still early, and they’d only shared with immediate family. She’d had every intention of telling her brother, but she’d wanted to do it in person.But my girl beat me to it.

Charley rested her hand on her belly. “It’s a boy.”

Cody balled his fists and raised his arms over his head. “I see drum sets in his future.”

“Just promise me no more live animals,” Charley said.

“Not promising anything.” Cody chuckled, pressing his lips to the crown of her head. He started through the foyer. Charley closed the door and raced to catch up, rounding her brother and stopping in front of him.

“What?”

Charley clasped her hands, twisting her fingers. “Can I see it?”

He snorted, shaking his head. “You were serious?”

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