Page 71 of Flame
I wave to the people all watching me.
“Bianca, these are my brothers and their girlfriends and wives, depending on the couple. Moss and Brooke, Maddox and Ashley, Jess and Pippa, and Banks and Sara.”
Banks. I see why his name keeps coming up. He gives me the biggest shit-eating grin I’ve ever seen.
“Did he tell you he tried to beat me up today?” Banks asks, lifting a brow playfully.
“Tried?” Jess laughs. “You should probably check yourself before he wrecks you. Again.”
Damaris puts her hands on her hips. “May I add, Moss is my favorite child today because he stayed and cleaned up a mess that you two”—she points at Banks, then Foxx—“made.”
“Foxx, what did you do to Banks?” I ask, laughing.
“I didn’t do enough,” he says, staring his brother down.
I’m sure he means it. Gannon means it when he says similar things to Tate. But I also know they really love each other—even if it’s downreally deepsometimes. And I can tell by how Foxx and Banks look at each other that it’s the same thing.
“Ignore them and welcome to the family,” Moss says, his arms tightly around Brooke’s stomach.
“We heard there’s a wedding tomorrow,” Ashley says. “Can we do anything to help?”
“I have to confirm the time with them,” Damaris says. “It’s not a done deal. Yet.”
Ashley grins. “Sorry. I’m just excited.”
Chatter breaks out once again, and I sag into Foxx’s side.So far, so good.
“Thank you for helping us get this together,” I say to my soon-to-be mother-in-law. “It’s a lot to put on your shoulders with such short notice.”
Kixx laughs. “Don’t thank her. I haven’t seen her this happy since …” He studies his wife. “I shouldn’t tell them about what we did last night, should I?”
Foxx scowls at his father. I, however, laugh.
Damaris shushes her husband, but she looks at him with pure, unadulterated love. It takes my breath away.
That’s the kind of love I want someday. The kind of love I didn’t know really existed. It’s the kind of affection I never saw in my parents’ marriage. It makes me wonder if that’s one of the reasons I’ve never wanted to marry.
“I have a minister who can come to the house tomorrow afternoon,” Damaris says. “Or wherever you want to do it. I shouldn’t assume you’ll want to do it here.”
I glance up at Foxx. He looks at me as if to saywhatever you want. The look I give him saystoo bad that wasn’t what you were saying earlier. He smirks and shakes his head.
“If we could have it here, I think that would be wonderful,” I say, leaning my head against Foxx. To my surprise and relief, he tucks me even closer against him. “I’m still trying to get settled at Foxx’s—home. I guess it’s my home now, too.”
The words hang in the air.I guess it’s my home now, too.
Foxx must sense I’m thrown because he takes over.
“Yes, Mom. We’d love to have it here as long as you don’t go overboard,” Foxx says.
Kixx snickers and joins Foxx’s brothers at the table.
“I mean it,” Foxx warns her. “We want something quick and basic. Just us. A simple ceremony is all we need.”
Damaris holds her hands in front of her. “I understand, and I will do my best.” She looks at me. “I think we should talk privately—”
“Mother,” Foxx says.
“Mother?” Banks snickers. “Why can’t we get this Foxx more often?” He looks at me and grins cheekily. “You have done the impossible. You have turned Foxx into a nice guy.”
