My heart is racing, but I’m filled with pride. I’m making choices to protect myself and my brothers. I only wish I’d had the chance to lay into Liam’s dad, too. Death wasn’t punishment enough for that horrible man.
I brace for some condescending remark about my life choices from Max, but what comes out instead shocks me.
“So…uh… is the other guy Liam, then? I thought…with the way you were crushing on him…”
I break into a smile. “He’s the other guy.”
Max’s brows shoot up. His gaze sweeps to the hallway as Beau and Liam reappear from the garage, one wearing a dimpled grin and the other doing his best to hide his feelings.
“Okay then…”
Bless Max for doing his best to come up with a proper response. I have to appreciate his effort. I think it’s safe to say I’ve found common ground with my older brother through our supposed fuck ups. Guess that’s what happens when you get older and life steamrolls everything petty out of you.
“They make me happy, Max. You deserve to be happy, too.”
He frowns, glancing down as Felicity tugs at his silk tie. “She’s my top priority. But… maybe in the future…”
Liam and Beau drop onto the couch beside me as Hail and Z wander into the kitchen with Dave to pick at the desserts. Max is doing his best not to act weird as he makes small talk with Liam about business operations at the studio.
Their conversation gets cut off as Felicity crawls over my lap to grab the lock of hair that escaped Liam’s bun. Liam gives a low laugh. “Aren’t you a strong one?”
She curls her chubby, sticky hands in his dark shirt, pulling herself up to a wobbly stance on his thighs. The moment she’s fully in his care, the most incredible smile forms on his face. To threaten my heart even more, he starts talking to her in a soothing tone that has her captivated, me swooning, and Beau groaning.
“He can’t get anymore perfect, can he?” Beau complains.
Liam ignores him, too wrapped up in the baby eagerly vying for his attention.
Eventually, Max packs her up and excuses himself to prepare for her bedtime. Liam escorts Dave upstairs to show him where his room is as Z tidies up the kitchen.
Hail plops down onto the couch beside me. “Hey, sis. Getting pretty serious with you, Beau,andLiam, huh?”
Blood drains from my head. “Hail—”
“Save it. You guys couldn’t be more obvious with the way you’ve been looking at each other. But if Beau keeps drooling over my future husband, I may have to kick his ass.”
When I open my mouth to scold him, Hail cuts me off with a melodic laugh. “Kidding. The accent gets everyone. Claws away, yeah?”
I scrunch up my nose in disapproval.
“Honestly, I can’t think of two better men to love you.”
Heart swelling, I settle my head on his shoulder. “I agree.”
“You know, Beau’s got the talent to get back out there…”
“I feel like you’re about to tell me this isn’t sustainable.”
“Then I’d be a hypocrite. Dating a musician is hard. Datingtwo?” He pauses for dramatic effect, and I blow out an annoyed breath. “As long as the three of you are willing to put in the effort, everything will work out.”
“You don’t think Liam will wake up one morning and change his mind?”
Hail nudges me with his shoulder. “You kidding? Liam’s never going to leave your side. Yeah, there may be times he needs a little space. Sometimes he ignores my calls for weeks. Just have patience with him as he works through his shit. He cares for you. He always has.”
I snake my arms around his waist and squeeze a grunt out of him.
“Scary strong.”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
