Page 294 of Second Sets Omnibus
“Yes,” she blushes, ducking her head and taking off toward the pavilion without another word.
“I didn’t think we’d ever get to meet him,” I say, watching as she happily sits the cake down.
“Me either. Hopefully, he’s a loser,” Rocco quips.
“Pfft. With the way she’s been getting happier, I think they’re getting serious. Back off, Roc.” I raise a brow when he pouts.
“Fine,” he grumbles, pulling away. “Time to say hello to my Godchild. Oh, Lyric!” he shouts, jumping into the fray of kids and hoisting her into the air. She squeals at his antics, kicking her feet as they spin in a circle.
“I like him,” Asher says, cocking his head and watching Rocco play with Lyric.
I snort. “You might be the only one.” I point to Callum, Rad, and Kieran standing side by side with their arms crossed over their chests, watching Rocco’s every move.
Fucking cavemen. They should know by now Rocco is nothing more than a very important friend. To me and Lyric. Besides, he’s married to Christian and on the prowl for Kat’s undying love.
“I need to make you another shirt,” Rad grumbles, wrinkling his nose. “Property of Callum, Rad, Asher, and Kieran.”
“Good idea,” Kieran says with a smirk. “We’ll force it over your head any time you leave the house.”
“Everyone will always know who you belong to,” Rad adds with a grin, high-fiving Kieran over their oh-so-brilliant idea.
I roll my eyes, raising my middle finger to them. “I’m not your damn property. I belong to no one. If anything, you’re mine. Maybe I should make you a shirt that says… River’s Boys. See how you’d like that.”
“You’re under the impression that we wouldn’t wear a shirt with your face on it,” Rad says, raising a brow. “I would, in fact, wear a shirt that says I am your property. In fact…”
Well then. That didn’t hit like I thought it would. Who am I kidding? Of course, they’d want a shirt with my name on it. That wasn’t a proper threat.
“We’ll get them made,” Callum snorts, covering his lips with his fist.
“Hell yeah! We’ll wear it at our wedding. Speaking of… Will you marry us, Pretty Girl?” he asks, smirking at me.
I huff. It’s been like that for the past week or so since we got home. Every morning, I have a text asking if I’ll marry them.
“No.”
“I’ll ask every day until you say yes,” he reminds me, kissing my cheek. “I’ll wear you down, Pretty Girl. Then you’ll be all ours. Forever and ever. I can’t wait to stick a ring on that finger.” His arm wraps around my shoulder, pulling me further into the side of his body. “Do you think anyone would be offended if I took my shirt off? It’s fucking hot.”
“Keep your clothes on, Cowboy. This is a children’s party.”
“Make me those fancy sleeves again, Pretty Girl. Or I’m going to drown in my sweat.” Rad pulls his T-shirt away from his body, wafting air on his face. His tongue flops out of his mouth as he huffs. “I don’t even care if you cut me with your knife. In fact…cut me a lit?—”
“Kids party,” I hiss, covering his loud mouth with my hand.
“He’s going to start having to pay a fee every time he runs his mouth.” Kieran side-eyes him with a smirk.
“Thirty thousand dollars!” Lyric says, passing by, doing a twirl in her pretty, multi-colored unicorn dress. Quickly, she darts off, laughing through a candy sugar high.
Lord help us when we have to tame this baby tonight.
My heart hurts as I watch her carefree smile light up the party. She’s five now. Practically a teenager. Just yesterday, I gave birth with my brothers anxiously awaiting her arrival in another room and Kaycee generously holding my hand as I screamed. Even though it made her light-headed and awkward feeling. She stood by my side, knowing I didn’t have anyone else to help ease the pain of having her and losing my boys.
My baby is growing too fast. And there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
“Thirty thousand,” Callum confirms, holding out his hand expectantly.
Rad licks my palm with a chuckle until I rip it away, wiping my hand down the front of his T-shirt.
“Fine. I’ll keep my shirt intact,” Rad harrumphs, pouting a little until his eyes fall on my face. “Pretty girl, what’s wrong?” he asks, squeezing me tight.
