Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75656 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
I was already excited to get to spend time with my family, but now, knowing that Scarlett is coming home with me, this night just got a whole lot better.
CHAPTER
SIX
Scarlett
“So, let me get this straight. You combine the cash and the pieces of two games so everyone can play?” I ask Alyssa.
She chuckles. “Yeah, they’ve been doing it for years. A regular game of Monopoly, it’s only eight players. There are nine of them.”
“Do you ever play with them?” I ask her.
“I did once when we were younger. I spent the entire time laughing. It was more fun to watch them.”
“They are definitely entertaining,” Crosby says. “None of us ever play, even though they offer. It entertains them for a while, and we get to have girl time.” She rubs her small baby bump while looking at her husband and brothers-in-law.
“Archer tried to convince them to combine money from three games. It gets tight with the bank when all nine of them play even with the added money from the second game.”
“And you just use one round of the properties?”
“Yep. The only thing we don’t use from the second game is the properties and the board. Although, we keep them. Sometimes things get heated, and we’ve had torn property cards in the past.” Palmer chuckles.
“Pay up, fucker!” Merrick holds his hand out to Orrin, who grumbles as he places two one-hundred-dollar bills in the palm of Merrick’s hand.
“Damn, I missed it,” a deep male voice says.
I turn to look at the newcomer, and I recognize the couple from the wedding.
“Sorry we’re late,” the woman says. She sees me and smiles. “Scarlett, right? I’m Ramsey, cousin to this brood. This is my husband, Deacon, who is also Palmer’s older brother.”
“I might need someone to write me a family tree.” I laugh.
“We should totally do that,” Jade agrees.
“Not a bad idea,” Palmer agrees. “Are you all hungry? There’s pizza, chips, some dips, and a couple of dessert options.”
Ramsey’s face scrunches up at the mention of food.
“What’s that?” Palmer asks her.
“What’s what?” Ramsey asks. Her eyes flash to her husband.
“That look. What was that look?” Palmer asks her. “Best friend, remember. You can’t hide from me. What’s going on?”
“Told you.” Deacon laughs, pulling his wife into his arms and kissing the top of her head.
Palmer claps her hands. “Listen up, people,” she says over the sounds of all the guys playing the game. Suddenly the room grows quiet, and all eyes turn toward Palmer, who nods toward Ramsey and Deacon.
They’re both smiling. Ramsey turns to look at her husband over her shoulder, and he pecks her lips with a kiss. “Love you,” Deacon murmurs. I watch as Ramsey visibly relaxes into his embrace. She turns back to her family, and a slow grin spreads across her face.
“We’re pregnant!” she blurts. “Twelve weeks today!”
The only way to describe what happens next is chaos. Chairs are slid back, and everyone is on their feet. Hugs, kisses, handshakes, slaps on the back, and even a few tears are shed as Ramsey and Deacon are embraced by their family, congratulating them on their pregnancy.
“Congratulations,” I tell them once the room has calmed down.
“Thank you. We’re excited.”
“Tink, we’re falling behind,” Sterling tells his wife.
Alyssa laughs. “Maybe we should do something about that, Tank.”
Sterling stands from the table. “Deacon, you can take my spot.” He doesn’t take his eyes off his wife. Once he reaches her, he bends, lifting her into his arms, bridal style. “We’re out,” he calls to the room.
Everyone erupts with laughter and a few catcalls. I think they’re joking, but Sterling doesn’t stop and put her down. He pauses next to the door and leans over for her to grab her purse, and they walk out the door.
“Are they leaving?” I ask Crosby.
She grins. “Yeah. They’re leaving.”
“Can you blame him?” Rushton asks. “Your wife tells you she’s ready for a baby. There isn’t time to waste.”
“Is that what you did?” I ask him.
“Nah, we created this little one without even trying. That’s love,” he says, winking at his wife.
“Are we playing?” Merrick asks.
“It’s your turn, Mer.” Ryder laughs.
“Right.” Merrick grins. “Let’s do this.”
The guys resume the game as the ladies talk about babies, pregnancy, and all the things that I don’t know much about. I’ve never had a lot of close friends. Living in foster care until I was four, I guess I just learned to be a loner. My mom used to tell me that I was shy when they brought me home. It took me some time to warm up to them, and then once I did, I latched on. She always said it was because they became my security. My safe place. They wanted me, and to me, that was enough.
I soak in the feeling of family that surrounds me. I hope everyone in this room knows how incredibly lucky they are to have this kind of connection. They’re all close and up in each other’s business. I always thought that I would hate that, but I’ve still longed for it. Seeing it in live action, the way they care and love one another, it’s got me all up in my feelings. I’ll never have what they have, but it’s nice to be able to see the bond between this large, loud family while I’m here.