Page 24 of Tangled
He repeated himself as he shifted from under the comforter. She stiffened as the words sank in, then threw the covers back. “Oh my god,” she said, swinging her legs over the bed as the bell rang again.
He chuckled, and she tossed a glare at him over her shoulder. “I’ll take care of it. Take your time,” he said. Jogging to his room, he grabbed a sweatshirt and pulled it on as he headed to the door.
“Took you long enough,” Ryan said. Then his gaze dropped, taking in Brad’s attire, before it lifted again and came to rest on his head. No doubt he had bedhead. Ryan arched a brow and shook his head as he hid a smile.
“Where is she?” Kara asked, towing her sister in behind her.
Brad stepped aside and let everyone pass. “I didn’t know you were coming, too, Kara.”
“Aside from the fact that she’s my best friend, I want to check on her. She wasn’t in good shape the first time I saw her. I want to make sure the fluids and medicine I gave her are helping.”
“Something I should know?” Sabina asked, her gaze darting between Kara and Brad.
“I’m going to find her,” Kara said, grabbing her sister and dragging her along.
Brad glanced at Ryan, who waited with his characteristic inscrutable expression for an update.
“We told my parents about us and the baby last night,” he said. “The cat’s out of the bag.”
“I know it’s all unexpected. Are you happy about this?” Ryan asked.
He appreciated his cousin’s circumspection but he wanted there to be no doubt about how he felt. “I am. Scarlett and I need to spend more time together, get to know each other, but we both want this baby.”
Ryan nodded. “Then I’m glad for you both. And congratulations, again,” he said.
“You guys have twenty minutes,” Kara said, reentering the room, Scarlett and Sabina following behind with their heads together. “After that, I’m going to give her more fluids and some intravenous medicine that should help for today at least. Under normal circumstances, I’d recommend a few days of hospitalization. I won’t suggest that, though, since I know it’s not possible.”
“Any chance we can get some coffee?” Ryan asked.
Brad nodded and started a pot. Scarlett, Sabina, and Kara were still by the couch chatting when he poured the first cup.
He carried a mug out to the living room, where Ryan sat, and was about to hand it over when the doorbell rang.
“Are you expecting anyone?” Ryan asked, rising.
Brad shook his head and, after setting the mug down, moved in front of Scarlett. Ryan walked to the door, looked through the eyehole, then chuckled. “Oh, this is going to be good,” he muttered.
For two seconds, Brad had no idea what he was talking about. Then Ryan opened the door to see his brother Cody and his wife, Tia, with Mitch and Ava behind them.
“What the fuck?” Cody demanded, walking in.
His youngest brother was prone to a tiny bit of drama, so instead of answering, Brad looked to Mitch. Mitch shrugged. “I kind of have the same question.”
Ava rolled her eyes at both, grabbed averypregnant Tia’s hand, and dragged her into the room. “Tia, meet Scarlett. Best friend of Kara, vigilante of Gracie, and mother of Brad’s baby. Welcome to this crazy family, Scarlett. It’s cray-cray, but you won’t regret it,” she said to Scarlett before engulfing her in a hug.
“Thank you,” Scarlett managed to get out as Ava hugged her. Then, shifting a hesitant gaze to Tia, she waited for his sister-in-law’s response. Unlike her husband, Tia, an ex-CIA agent, didn’t do drama. Instead, she eyed Scarlett for half a beat, then offered her a smile and opened her arms.
“I’m not so great at hugging these days, but it’s nice to meet you,” Tia said. “Kara’s spoken of you often, and I’m looking forward to getting to know you.”
Scarlett, who seemed a little overwhelmed with the demonstrative tendencies of some of his family members, appeared to appreciate Tia’s reserve as she leaned into a quick hug.
“And this is my husband, Cody,” Tia said, gesturing him forward. “Who, to be clear, isn’t upset at the situation, only that he wasn’t the first person Brad told. Cody doesnotlike being one of the last to know.”
“Hush, woman. Don’t paint me in a bad light,” Cody said, gently shifting his wife to the side so he could stand in front of Scarlett. “Although, she’s right. I’m nosy as hell and gossip like an old lady. Fair warning.”
“He’s not lying,” Tia muttered.
Scarlett chuckled and accepted the hug his youngest brother offered.
