Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88128 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Archer,” Declan growls.
“Mom and Dad taught you to share, Declan,” Archer teases.
Archer carries me as if I weigh nothing, and I’m deposited into a circle of gorgeous men. “Kennedy, time to meet the rest of us,” he says, slinging his arm over my shoulder.
I feel Declan. I know that sounds crazy, but when I look to my right, he’s standing there, hands casually pushed into the pockets of his dark-washed jeans, his eyes bouncing around the group of his friends and family.
“Let’s start at the top,” Archer says. “You already know the ladies, so we’ll go to the gents.” He points at Ramsey and Deacon. “That’s Deacon, Ramsey’s fiancé. Brother to Palmer and Piper.”
“We met,” I tell Archer, but lift my hand to wave lamely anyway.
“Right, okay, then we have Heath. He’s dating Piper, not that you couldn’t figure that out on your own.” He points at where Piper is currently hanging onto Heath’s back as if he’s ready to give her a piggyback ride. She’s wrapped around him, and they’re both all smiles. I wave at Heath, and he nods.
“Now, my bros. Big bro, Orrin, Jade’s fella.” He points at Orrin and Jade. “Then we have Declan.” He looks over me to his brother and winks at him. Declan rolls his eyes. “Then we have the man of the hour, Brooks.” He turns us a little and continues to point out his brothers. “Sterling, Rushton, and then there’s me.” He leans in close. “The best-looking out of the bunch.” His brothers scoff, and he chuckles. “Ryder, and the twins, the babies of the family, Maverick and Merrick.”
“It’s nice to meet you all.” I wave again. I’m sure that I look like a complete loser, but it’s done, and I can’t take it back.
I get a round of “heys” and “nice to meet yous,” and I’m ready for the awkward to take over, but it never comes. Instead, the music is turned back up, and I find myself being pulled into a circle with just the women as we dance and jump around being silly. It’s surprising how at ease I feel. They’re all close, and I expected to feel like an outsider, which is why I hid in Grandma’s office to begin with, but that’s not the case at all.
We dance the night away. Several of the guys and the ladies, all except for Palmer and me, keep drinking, and two hours later, they’re no longer able to walk in a straight line, and they’re slurring their words.
“I think it’s time to call it a night,” Brooks speaks up.
“I can help take people home,” I offer.
“Thank you, but we’re all set. Our dad is coming to help, and Palmer and I are both taking a group.”
“I’m happy to help,” I tell Brooks and Palmer.
“That’s sweet of you. I think we have it all worked out,” Palmer tells me. “We planned it out before we got here. We like to have a good time, but we also like to be responsible and make sure everyone gets home safe.”
“Well, it was nice to meet all of you.” I allow my eyes to bounce around the group.
I step away and begin to pick up the tables and toss the trash. “We can help with that,” Brooks speaks up.
“No way.” I shake my head. “This is included in the fee. We actually have a cleaning crew that will come in tomorrow and take care of all of this and set up for the rehearsal. I was just getting a head start.”
“Are you sure?” Palmer asks.
“I’m positive. Go. You have a lot of stops to make before you get home.”
“Will you be at the rehearsal?” Palmer asks.
“Yes. I’ll be taking over for Grandma for the next several weeks.”
“I’ll see you then.” She steps out of Brooks's hold and opens her arms, coming toward me for a hug. I don’t hesitate to hug her back.
“Congratulations, you two.”
“Thank you.” Brooks steps up behind her, wrapping her in his arms, his large hand resting over her belly.
Tears instantly well in my eyes. I wave, quickly turn my back to them, and head toward the food table, starting to clean up. I don’t need to explain my woes to them. This is a happy time in their lives. I don’t need to bring them down with my inability to carry a baby of my own. Instead, I busy myself covering the food. I’m going to have to find some containers from the kitchen for the leftovers from both rooms. I make a mental note to give the containers to Palmer tomorrow after the rehearsal. No point in all this food going to waste.
“Hey.” I feel a hand press to the center of my back. I don’t have to look to know that it’s Declan. I can smell his cologne. “Kennedy?”