“You think he might move in with you two?”
“Well, I’d obviously leave. But yeah, our rental’s a nice house. The rent’s not too expensive, compared to some other places. It’s a great neighborhood, and the kids go to Cedar Street Elementary, which is the French Immersion school. I’m assuming Nita’s going to put the kid in the FI program.”
“Yeah, that’s a safe bet.”
“What’re you guys talking about?” Kade came over and rested his arms against the back of an empty chair.
“About how much everyone’s life is about to change.” Cam glanced back and forth between Kade and myself. “We three are about to become uncles.”
I wondered if Kade might point out he was the only one of us biologically related to the child, but he didn’t. And, in truth, that didn’t surprise me. He didn’t see the world in those terms. Cam was a brother to him. And, until last night, I’d been a little brother to him. I sure hoped he didn’t see me that way now. I rose. “I need to be heading out.”
“Did you bring your car?”
“Crap. No, I came with Nita. I don’t want to make her leave—”
Cam rose to his feet. “I’ll take you home.”
“No, I will.” Kade smiled. “You and Dad were going to play a couple rounds of badminton.”
Our friend scowled. “I don’t have to—”
“Have to what?” Rob hung the dishtowel on the handle of the dishwasher which he’d turned on.
“Nothing.” Kade smiled. “You guys enjoy your game. I’ll drive Tanner home.”
“Nice of you, son.” Rob turned the slap on the back into an enormous hug. Then he grabbed me for a hug as well. That was just how things were done in the Nelson household.
Once free, I scooted upstairs and grabbed the overnight bag I’d packed. I stopped at the ladder that had been pulled down. I yelled up to the attic. “I’m heading out, ladies. Have a great day.”
Nita’s head popped into the opening. “Who’s giving you a ride?”
For a fraction of a second, I considered lying. Then promptly shelved the idea because, first, Nita would ferret out the truth and, second, because I never lied to her. She’d known how I felt about Kade for fifteen years and had held my secret. “Kade.” I met her hard stare. “Bye, Donna.”
Donna popped her head out. “Oh, goodbye, Tanner. Lovely to see you. You know you can always come live with us. I’ve not coped well with having an empty nest. I’ll take any of my chickadees back.”
I met Nita’s gaze and saw the apology.
Well, at least I knew.
Chapter Four
Kade
IreadthetruthonTanner’s face as he hopped into my SUV. Something Nita had said or done upset him.
Well, it could’ve been Cam, I supposed, but he’d disappeared into the backyard with Dad, so that left Mom and Nita. Since my mother didn’t have it in her, that left my bratty sister.
She’s not a brat. That’s cruel.
Well, nosy, then. Something told me she wouldn’t be any happier with Tanner and me getting together than Cam was.
Are we getting together? Hooking up? Will we have sex?
My cock stirred. I drew in a deep breath as I pulled out onto the street. “What happened?”
“Rohit’s moving in with Nita.”
“Ouch.” I signaled a left turn that would take us out of the subdivision and onto Cedar Street. “You’ve been roommates for what—”
