Page 148 of Perfect Storm
“Or not,” Levi added.
“No worries,” Ramsey said lightly. “I actuallydon’twant to know.”
Aidan nodded jerkily but took Levi’s hand as he led them out of the library, towards the main bar.
He ordered them both green apple Manhattans, which the bartender recommended, but before they could even take their first sip, they were joined by a whole group of teammates.
Dawson and Cam. Nate. Trevor and Lane. Coming up the rear was Wes, looking like he knew exactly what was going on.
For a second Levi worried that Ramseyhadsaid something, but then he probably didn’t need to. They weren’t exactly being subtle.
“You two have fun?” Dawson joked.
“Don’t make them uncomfortable,” Cam whispered to him under his breath. “Aidan’s not—”
“Aidan’s fine,” Aidan said bluntly. He laced his fingers back with Levi’s, prominently displayed on the bar top. “Anyone got an issue with this?”
“Nope,” Dawson said with a smirk. “Just glad you finally got your head out of your ass.”
“Anyone else?” Aidan’s gaze scanned the group of their friends and teammates, like he was waiting for someone else to protest.
That was the moment Levi realized that Mo, too, had approached the knot of people grouped at the bar.
Even he shook his head, and the corner of his mouth was quirked up, like he actually found this whole thing funny.
Levi relaxed, and felt Aidan do the same thing, next to him.
“We’re actually pretty dang happy for you,” Nate said, clapping him on the back. “Banks is gonna keep you on your toes.”
“I sure hope so,” Aidan said, squeezing Levi’s hand.
“Would be my genuine pleasure, bro,” Levi teased. He lifted their hands and brushed his lips across Aidan’s wrist, blushing a little at how Dawson and Lane catcalled them.
Aidan’s eyes were soft when they met his, and Levi didn’t think he’d ever been happier.
Epilogue
Next July
“You know,” Levi said casually, as Aidan tossed a log on the fire, “it’s been a year. Exactly a year.”
Aidan glanced back at the chair Levi was sprawled in. The chair that until a minute ago they’d been sharing.
“Guess it has,” Aidan said. He brushed off his hands on his jeans and stood, wandering back to where Levi was sitting.
Levi grinned up at him, clearly very delighted with himself. “I think that means we can finally have sex now.”
Aidan opened his mouth and nearly said something like, “Yeah, yes, let’s go do that right now.” But before he could, the back door opened and a whole group of people spilled out onto the patio.
Too many brothers.So many brothers.
Landry and Riley, of course. Logan and Dylan.
But it wasn’tjustbrothers. Even Lyla had come along this time, and she’d brought, to everyone’s shock but most especially Riley’s, Paige.
“Hey,” Lyla had said, “if you’re allowed to couple up with each other, so are we.”
Riley had only stared at them in shock and had finally tugged his best friend into a long, tight hug. “You should’ve told me!” he’d said to her, and Paige had only shrugged with a bright smile on her face. “This is me telling you,” she’d said. “We hung out at the game last fall and, well . . .one thing led to another.”
