Page 44 of Greed

I can’t help but grin as he gives my hand a soft shake. “I’m looking forward to working with you.”

He tilts his chin down. “Declan will handle this. I’ve got a lot on my plate and a baby on the way, but I’m only a phone call away if you need anything, even if it’s just to complain about Decky to someone.”

“Declan,” his brother bites his name out.

“Decky is a nickname from when we were kids,” Sean explains. “If you want to piss him off, use it.”

I hold in a laugh. “I’ll remember that.”

“You’ll forget you ever heard it,” Declan says. “Abby and I are headed out to grab some coffee. Do you think you can handle things while I’m gone?”

Sean rubs a hand over his chin. “The real question is whether you think I can handle things while you’re gone.”

Their fondness for each other is seeping through the bickering. I’m used to it since it’s how Carrie and I communicate sometimes.

“When exactly did you two meet?” Sean directs that question at me.

I look to Declan for guidance because that night we met turned into the best night of my life, and I doubt he wants his brother to know about that.

Before Declan can say anything, a ringing phone lures his gaze toward his brother. “That’s your phone. Answer it.”

With a hand diving into the pocket of his jacket, Sean nods. “I got it.”

I take a step toward the door because this feels like the perfect time to make myself scarce. I know all about privacy and phone calls. I don’t want people listening in when I’m talking on the phone.

“Contractions!” Sean yells. “What? Fuck! Now?”

“What?” Declan asks in barely more than a whisper. “Now?”

“I’m coming.” Sean’s voice takes on a gentle tone. “I’m coming, Champ.”

I turn to see Declan with a grin on his face. He takes a step closer to me. “It’s Sean’s fiancée. He calls her Champ.”

It’s an endearing nickname. I suspect it holds a lot of meaning for the two of them. “Is the baby coming?”

“I think so.” Declan nods. “I’m going with him, so…”

“So, we’ll meet up another time,” I finish his thought.

Nodding, his gaze darts from me to his brother.

I follow his lead and glance at Sean to see a tear streaming down his cheek as he ends the call with a tender “I love you.”

“I’ll call you,” Declan says.

“Let’s go, Decky.” Sean walks over to his brother to swing an arm around his shoulder. “It’s time to meet Hailey.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

Declan

“Braxton Hicks?”I repeat what my brother just said to me.

“Sounds like a band name, right?” Sean shakes his head. “I had no fucking idea that Braxton Hicks contractions were a thing until the doctor told us.”

“So they’re not real contractions?” I ask, lost because I know nothing about the labor process.

When Kirby was born, I got a call early one morning from Rook telling me she’d arrived just after three a.m., and he wanted me to stop at the hospital on my way to work to meet her.

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