A Long Time Coming (Cane Brothers, #3)(131)

“I’m not crying, but hell, I’m really happy. I feel like everything is in place.” I glance back at the girls, who are huddled, and then I pause before scooping up fruit and say, “We kissed for the first time last night and then had the most intimate sex of my life. After that, I was a goner. I’m done. I know I need nothing else in my life but her.”

“Did you tell her that?” Huxley says.

“Fuck no. Not sure she’s ready to hear all of that just yet, but it’s been hard to keep it to myself, that’s for sure. I just want to tell her how much I love her. I mean . . . fuck, I’d propose today if I knew she’d be open to it.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re practicing self-control,” JP says. “That’s progress.”

We finish filling the plates for our girls, and then, with a mimosa in hand, we take them their food.

“Thank you,” Lia says. I slip the mimosa glass into her hand and then lean down and grip her chin. I place a soft kiss across her lips only for Kelsey, Myla, and Lottie to all make cooing noises next to us. Lia smiles against my lips and then pulls away.

“You ladies have fun talking,” I say.

“Oh, we will,” Lottie says while wiggling her eyebrows. Yup, the conversation is probably going to revolve around Lia and me.

I walk back over to the buffet, pick up a pink plate and blue napkin, and then fill up on tacos and a mimosa, skipping JP’s Bloody Marys altogether. I will not be subjecting myself to that today.

Just as I take a seat, Banner and Penn walk onto the back patio.

Penn is a former pitcher for the Chicago Bobbies. He’s been through hell and back to better his life. Being out here in California and working with Ryot and Banner, he’s truly been able to find solace and peace.

“Banner Bisley,” Lottie shouts from where the girls are sitting. “Where is my cousin?”

And yeah, he’s been supposedly trying to date Lottie and Kelsey’s cousin, Kenzie, but all I know about that situation is that things aren’t going the way he wants them to.

Banner pauses and sighs heavily. “I knew I shouldn’t have come.”

“Looks like you need a Bloody Mary,” JP says, standing from his chair. “I’ll get you one.”

“Thanks,” Banner says, walking over with JP. I feel like I should warn him, but I also don’t want to hear it from JP either.

“Grab some food, man,” Huxley says to Penn. “Help yourself.”

“Thanks,” Penn says, looking almost shy as he picks up a plate.

Huxley glances at me, and while we’re to ourselves, he says, “I’m really happy for you, Breaker. All teasing aside, I think she’s perfect for you.”

“Thank you.” I glance over at her again. “I’m getting sort of itchy about making the next move, you know?”

“Why?” Huxley asks. “Just enjoy the moment.”

“I keep telling myself that, but I don’t know. We got together the day she broke up with Brian, and she hasn’t really had time to mourn that relationship. I guess I’m just worried about what might happen if one day she wakes up and realizes that she made a mistake.”

“Not going to happen,” Huxley says. “You two are meant to be together. She knows that. Stop worrying and just have fun, man.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” I say just as Penn sits down.

“I thought we weren’t ever allowed to tell Huxley he’s right. Something about an ego inflating?”

“And who told you that?” Huxley turns on Ryot, who has a taco halfway to his mouth.

“Not me. Talk to your brother.”

I hold up my hands. “That would be the other brother. I’d never say something like that and get uninvited from Sunday brunch, which by the way, what’s with the pink-and-blue balloons and décor?” I ask. “Trying to spice up Sunday brunch?”

“What?” Kelsey says, interrupting all of us and standing from where the girls are huddled. Her eyes connect with Huxley and then back at Lottie.

“Uh, everything okay, babe?” JP asks.

“No,” Kelsey says. “Everything is not okay.” And then she dissolves into tears, causing JP to drop all Bloody Mary ingredients and rush to her side.

“Kelsey, what’s going on?”

Huxley stands from the table as well, and because I don’t know what’s happening, I stand too. Lia looks back at me, confused. I’m perplexed as well, and then Lottie starts crying.

Uhh . . .

Huxley pulls her into a hug immediately, coddling into his chest. I just stand there, unsure of what to do.

After a few seconds, I ask, “Is there something I can do? Someone I can call?”

Lottie lifts away from Huxley, and they both exchange a glance before turning toward us and saying, “Welcome to our gender reveal party.”

“Gender . . . as in . . . as in you’re having a baby?” I ask, shocked.

“We are,” Lottie says as she presses her hand to her stomach. “And Kelsey is mad because I didn’t tell her until now.”

“That’s not why I’m mad,” Kelsey says while wiping her eyes. “I’m not mad at all.”

JP kisses Kelsey’s hand and then says, “She’s happy because we’re pregnant too.”