Page 228 of Second Sets Omnibus
“Make a stack, but serve me coffee first,” River grumbles, stumbling into the room, squinting her eyes. “When did the sun get so damn bright?” With a sigh, she sits down next to Rad and me, closing her eyes with a groan. “Fuck morning,” she grumbles again, slumping into the couch.
“My sentiments exactly, Pretty Girl. Fuck today. Let’s just go back to bed.” Leaning in, he brushes his lips against her cheek. “So, I can lick you all over. Again.” He grins when my brows raise into my hairline.
“Coffee first, licking later,” she mumbles, blindly taking a coffee cup from Asher, smirking at her words. “You’re my savior, Asher. Today, at least.” His entire face lights up, displaying how fucking pleased he is with himself.
My heart pounds at her words. Him? Her fucking savior? He’s the reason we left. It’s all his goddamn fault. Everything is. Has she already forgotten in the midst of the chaos? Fuck. I glare at him, telling him with my eyes to back the fuck up. He has no claims over her right now. If he wants her, he’ll have to beg for her. Just like I’m going to do. At some point, when I figure out how.
“Daddy,” Lyric murmurs, looking up at me with a frown. “Your face is tight.”
Right. I can’t be hostile—the pact. We’re in this together and getting along for the girls, especially for Lyric. She can’t see the four guys she calls daddy arguing or hating each other. So, I suck up my pride and relax my facial expressions, letting all my rage go.
“I’m fine,” I say soothingly, rubbing a hand down her back.
“I call dibs on coffee tomorrow,” Rad declares, eyeing everyone around the room. “Then we can let the licking commence.” He cracks a grin until my fist meets his gut.
“Little ears,” I growl, nodding toward Lyric, who frowns as I put my hands over her ears.
“Dude!” he wheezes, clutching his stomach with a frown.
“Are they little?” Lyric asks earnestly, pouting a lip.
“He means your daddy is saying grown-up things around you, Ly. And he doesn’t want Daddy Rad to say anything bad.”River sips her coffee, humming under her breath. “Your ears are perfect for your noggin.”
“Oh,” Lyric says, removing her hand. “Okay.”
“Sorry, Little Pretty Girl. I’ve got to get better at not saying naughty things,” he says, touching the end of her nose with a grin. “Will you forgive me?”
She taps her chin like she’s thinking about it, letting a little grin slip through. “Maybe. I like ice cream,” she says, shrugging.
River snorts. “She also drives a hard bargain. Good luck.”
“Well played,” I murmur in her ear as she giggles, looking at me with the hope I’ll give in and give her the ice cream she’s been craving.
River shifts in her seat, heaving a breath. “Despite where we are, I’d like to resume with band practices and my procedures.”
“I want to watch daddies play!” Lyric shouts with wide eyes. “Can I?”
My heart swells. “Of course.” I grin when she excitedly claps her hands.
“Oh good! You’re all dressed!” We all jerk toward the front door as it’s thrown open, and the alarm blares through the house.
Seemingly on instinct, Callum rushes to his feet in a flash, squaring up in front of Jordy, who is grinning like an idiot in the face of danger. I’ve seen what Callum can do with his fists. He’s a goddamn deadly weapon these days.
“Aw, how cute, Fighter,” Jordy quips, tapping Callum’s shoulder condescendingly. “But you can put your dukes away and shut off that alarm.” He shoos Callum away with the flick of his wrist.
“Jordy, be nice,” River chastises him, narrowing her eyes with familiarity. My spine stiffens at their camaraderie. What does she have with him? Have they known each other for long?
“Me? Not nice? I’m always a joy.” I snort at his words, earning a stare. “Anywho, got some updates, Dollface. But first,” he grins, holding up a pink tablet.
“My tablet!” Lyric shrieks, abandoning me for the piece of technology and snatching it out of Jordy’s hands. “Thank you, Uncle J.” She grins up at him as he pats her head.
“No problem, kiddo. Now, do Uncle J a solid and go rest in your bed and watch some TV. I even have your favorite all geared up and ready for you. I need to have a big discussion with your parents—all of them.” His eyes roam around the room when he says those words.
“Okay,” Lyric says without a fight, skipping off into one of the back bedrooms and disappearing from view.
“All right, kiddies. Time for a discussion. And uh, pants are mandatory,” he says, gesturing to Rad, who still only has his boxers on.
“Pants lovers,” he grumbles, disappearing into the hall and returning with sweatpants as we approach the kitchen island.
