My first night here, and I’d already almost kissed Cope in his damn kitchen. Who knew where that would’ve ended? I needed to get a grip on my hormones and find some self-control. But as Luca came running into the kitchen, and Cope sent him the most devastating smile—one that had my ovaries crying out to make mini Copes here and now—I knew one thing.
I was so totally screwed.
16
COPE
Luca satbleary-eyed at the booth in the corner of the kitchen. Over the past almost two weeks, I’d learned that he was not a morning person. It was the one time of day when he was quiet. But he was also hilariously adorable, with his hair all askew as I made us breakfast.
My phone dinged on the counter, and I reached for it as I stirred the ham and veggie scramble. I slid my thumb across the screen, and my sibling group chat opened.
Kye has changed the group name to Only Fams.
Kye
How’s diaper duty treating you, Copey?
I glared down at my phone. I knew he was just giving me shit, especially when he’d been the one to help Trace out the most with Keely during his divorce. He’d played chauffeur, babysitter, and bedtime story reader, complete with all the voices.
Me
Need I remind you of this gem?
I quickly scrolled through my favorites album on my phone until I found the picture I wanted of Kye. He was sitting at a tiny tablein Keely’s room, having a tea party. His massive size, complete with tattoos covering his arms and snaking up his neck, would’ve been enough for a chuckle, but the fact that he was wearing a pink tutu, a tiara, and a feather boa really took it over the top.
Rhodes
I forgot about this photo. We need to get it framed.
Kye
You told me you deleted this, you asshole.
Me
I lied.
I never would’ve gotten rid of blackmail material as good as this.
Fallon
Don’t you dare ever erase this! Arden, can you make us an oil painting version? I’m going to hang it in Kye’s tattoo studio.
Fallon tagged Arden’s name to force an alert to her phone. She and Trace were the most silent on these chains. Trace popped in occasionally, attempting to keep us in line, but Arden wasn’t exactly one for technology.
Kye
Arden, don’t you dare.
Arden
Do you assholes know what time it is?
Fallon
Sorry, A. Didn’t realize.
Shep
