I saw out of the corner of my eye that Lanie covered Bray’s ear with her hand to shield him from the viciousness that was spewing from his own mother’s mouth.
By now all of my brothers had stood up, all ready to do whatever needed to be done to get Julie out of the house, and fast. Luke was the only one still seated and his face was filled with so much anger, I knew he refused to stand or even look at her for fear of what he might do. We all felt that way, but he and Brody had the biggest reason to be vengeful.
I started around the table at the same time my dad did. “Julie, you need to leave,” I said firmly.
She crossed her arms over her chest. “No.”
God, she’s a bitch. Who the fuck would come into a family’s home uninvited and where she caused so much destruction and pain.
“I’m not asking you.” I said as I rounded the long table to come up towards where she still stood.
“And I’m not leaving without Braydon.” She said, her eyes glued to Lanie.
“I’m not giving you Bray, Julie, I already told you that.” I forced my voice to stay calm, but she needed to stop staring at Lanie and Bray.
“You can’t keep him from me.” Her eyes were like lasers staring at Lanie and I was sure she wasn’t talking about our son.
Lanie didn’t react, just sat still, holding her hand over Bray’s ear and watching me. No drama from her, but then again there never really was. I never knew how fucking nice it was to have a woman in your life without constant drama and games.
Julie finally broke her stare towards Lanie and aimed her nasty glare in my direction. “He’s my son.”
I nodded. “He is and when you get your life in order and get away from the trash you’re running with, then you can see him, but not until then.”
I knew and she knew that a big part of me was lying. I was going for sole custody and I had no plans to quit until I won. Then if her life is in order she can have visitation, but only supervised. I do not put it past her to take my son and run, mostly to places he shouldn’t be and I knew if that happened I may never see him again.
She pushed her pointed finger into my chest. “You don’t get to decide when I have my son or see him.”
I leaned down close and her eyes lit. She’s fucking crazy and I know she’s getting off on all of this drama. “Then go to the police.”
I had her and we both knew it. She was never going to step foot in the police station. They all know who she is and they want to find Luke’s shooter as much as we all do. I think if she walked in, they’d find a reason to keep her. Obviously she thinks that too since she hasn’t done it.
“Julie, you need to leave.” Dad said from his spot on the other side of her. He leaned in a little closer, a coldness in his voice I’d never heard from him before. “Now.”
She opened her mouth to say something nasty, I’m sure, but he cut her off. “You have ten seconds to get out of my house or I’m having Cam call one of his buddies to come and pick you up for trespassing.
She turned her whole body towards my dad probably to run her mouth, but stopped when Luke stood from his chair to stand beside him.
“You’d better leave here and find a safe place to hide Julie.” Luke’s voice was low, his eyes fixed on her face. “I know all about you.” He leaned in closer to her. “The stuff you think no one knows—” he pointed his thumb back at himself, “—I know.” He stood up tall before finishing. “And I’m coming for you.”
She paled and backed up, but being Julie still had to run her mouth, although this time it was quiet and shaky. “You don’t know anything.”
She turned and started down the hall, and dad stopped me from following by slapping his hand against my chest. “That’s what she wants. I’ll go instead.”
I nodded, but stood where I was until I heard the front door close. He came back into the dining room and made his way to my mother, swinging his arm around her shoulders.
“Did you lock it?” She asked softly.
He kissed her temple. “Sure did, darlin’.
We all sat back down, but the table had grown quiet. The gravity of what happened only weeks ago like a weight again. I leaned into Lanie to tell her we needed to go when Jax’s voice broke the silence.
“What do you have on her, brother?”
Luke’s eyes flashed to Jax with a grin gracing his lips. “Not a damn thing. But by the look on her face, I know there’s something to find.”
A look of shock occupied the table, but quickly dissolved when dad chuckled. “Well done son.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, his eyes focused only on Luke. “Seems like it’s time for you to sit your ass behind that ugly desk in your office and find out what that is.”
Mom touched Dad’s arm. “Jack, it’s still too soon, he needs to rest.”
“Aww, Luke, maybe Mom can come to Jake’s and tuck you in tonight.” Ben’s eyes were on Luke, a smile on his face, and he was taunting him.
I couldn’t tell from Luke’s glare how he was taking Ben’s teasing so I waited. I think we all were.
“Nah, I know how much you still need her at night, baby brother.”
Oh fuck, Ben hated when the older brothers called him baby brother, always had but Luke hadn’t done it in years.
Ben’s lips twitched when Luke’s did and it only lasted a second before they both broke into laughter, the mood officially back to light and the rest of the family joining in.
I looked down at Lanie and she was smiling, everything felt so fucking right today. My eyes drifted down to Bray to see he’d thankfully slept through the drama with his mother.
“So Jake, Ben, how’s the project coming along?” Dad’s voice broke through the more subdued mood in the room.
“Good.” Ben spoke up. “We hired an engineer to work with us specifically on the development. It just makes sense.”
“Anyone we would know?” Anna asked.
Ben shrugged. “I don’t know. His family owns a farm a little outside of town. Their last name is Gaines.”
Dad shook his head. “Don’t know any Gaines.”
“He’s good, pretty quiet, but knows what he’s doing and has construction knowledge from working on the farm.” I added.
“Jake.” I looked down at Lanie when I heard her soft voice call my name. “Bray feels warm.”
It was then that I noticed her hand resting against his forehead. I reached out to wrap my hand around the side of his neck and noticed the same.
I flicked my eyes back to her worried ones. “Maybe we should go.”
“Lexi had a terrible cold with a mild fever last week.” Gia said. “The doctor said it’s going around right now.”
It made sense if he had what Gia was talking about considering the amount of time he spends with everyone in my family.
“Did you give him anything?” I asked her.
“The doctor said ibuprofen to keep the fever down, but that was all. The good news is it only lasted a few days.”
I nodded and pushed my chair back, standing up and turning my head to mom. “I want to get him home to his own bed.”
She stood. “Of course. I think that’s a good idea.”
I pushed my chair in and reached down, pulling Bray from Lanie so she could stand as well and pulled him tight against my chest. He woke up and rubbed his eyes, his cheek lying flat against my chest. Lanie pulled her purse from the chair where she’d hung it when we sat down and slung it over her shoulder. As soon as she turned to face me, Bray pulled from me and reached his arms out to her.
Her eyes flicked to mine. “I think he wants you.” I said quietly.
“Wanie.” Bray said, his voice scratchy and it was clear his throat was sore.
She quickly reached for him, pulling him up against her front, where he wrapped his arms and legs tight around her and buried his face in her neck. Her purse strap fell from her shoulder so she shook it the rest of the way off and pushed it towards me.
I looked down at her pur
se, her very feminine light pink purse. “What?”
She shook it in front of me. “Carry it.”
I stared at it. I’d never done that before and it felt very much like a relationship thing to do.
She rolled her eyes when mine flicked back up. “For god’s sake Jake, it’s a purse. You’re acting like I’m handing you a snake.”
“I think I’d rather carry a snake.” I muttered, hearing chuckling off to the side, reminding me we have an audience.
She sighed, stepping forward and shoving it into my stomach. “My hands are a little full Jake, can you please just carry it to the car?”
She cocked her head and rolled her lips together. A grin slowly spread across my face at her sassiness that again I hadn’t expected. I grabbed the handle of the purse and dropped my arm to my side. She turned to walk around the table while my fucking brothers whistled.
“You look pretty, Jakey.” Ben sang out.
I ignored him, but couldn’t stop the laugh while I redirected my attention towards Luke. “You coming?”
He shook his head. “Nah, I’m gonna hang around here for a little bit. I’ll have Pop bring me home later.”
Lanie faced the room when we reached the doorway to the dining room and smiled sweetly. “It was nice meeting all of you.”
A chorus of “nice to meet you” followed us out of the room and to the front door. Mom ran her hand over Bray’s head with a frown on her face. “I hate when they’re sick.” She lifted her gaze to Lanie then and smiled. “I’m glad he has you Lanie. He’s so taken with you.”
Lanie smiled but shook her head. “I think he’s delirious with fever.”
Mom giggled and laid her hand on Lanie’s shoulder. “I’ve learned over the years that kids reach for the one who offers them the most comfort when they’re sick.” She leaned. “Like I said he’s very taken with you.”
Lanie rested her hand along Bray’s back and I watched while what I assumed was a silent message happening between her and my mom.
“You should get going.” Dad said. “Get the little guy home, some ibuprofen and in his bed.”
“Jake, can you get Beasley?”
Shit, I’d forgotten we’d brought him and that he’d been sleeping in the backyard almost since we’d arrived.
I nodded in agreement, jogging around to open the fence at the side of the house and calling Beasley who got up surprisingly fast, trotted my way, and headed right to the back of the SUV, turned and waited for me. I opened the hatch and he put both front legs up and then looked back at me. Damn lazy dog. I lifted him the rest of the way and slammed the hatch closed, moving around the side to meet Lanie and help her get Bray in his car seat.
I smirked when she crawled in the back and sat beside my boy, rubbing her hand along his temple. I jumped into the front seat and watched her in the rear-view mirror until she looked up, confusion evident on her face. “What are you waiting for?”
I started it up and put it in reverse.
That was a damn good question.
CHAPTER TWENTY
LANIE
The phone rang and I groaned. I’d helped Jake get Bray home and some medicine in him last night before tucking him into his bed, but before I could leave Bray was up and crying wanting held. For some reason he refused Jake and would only sit with me. I sat with him for hours until he finally fell asleep for good and Jake could take him to his bed. When he’d come out of Bray’s room, I was already putting my shoes on and he asked me to stay, but I refused. I still had hours of work to do and knew I’d never fall asleep until I finished, hating to feel behind.
The ringing hadn’t stopped like I’d hoped so I reached over and grabbed my cell from the nightstand.
“Hello?”
“Morning Lanie.”
I furrowed my brow at the voice and sat up, leaning against the padded headboard on my bed. “Luke?”
“Yep.”
Luke didn’t call me, Jake did when he needed something for Bray so I was more than a little surprised to hear his voice. “Is everything okay?”
“Well, I’m heading out for the day and Bray’s still not feeling great. I planned to call my mom to help out, but he’s asking for ‘Wanie’.” He chuckled.
I cleared my throat. “So Jake needs a babysitter for him?”
“Yeah he really does. Could you?”
I thought about the work I’d finished last night and knew I could put off my work today until tonight if I had to or maybe if Bray falls asleep.
“Umm…yeah I can do that.” I stood from the bed and started towards the kitchen. I definitely needed coffee first. “Can you give me fifteen minutes?”
“Sure Lanie. I know Jake appreciates this.”
He was so nice. I wish I was attracted to Luke instead of his annoying brother. I thought of Trey while I waited for my coffee and grabbed my phone, sending him a text. I bit my lip, typing it out, even pausing to consider sending it or not, but in the end I figured, what the hell and sent it.
Me: Thinking of you.
I grabbed my coffee, added some creamer and went to the bathroom, did my normal bathroom routine before quickly throwing my hair up, putting in my contacts and pulling on my black yoga pants and a light blue long sleeved shirt. Going back to the kitchen I put my empty coffee mug in the sink and grabbed my phone, smiling when I saw a text from Trey.
Trey: That’s what I like to hear.
I decided to ask for what I wanted, putting my insecurities to rest, for now at least.
Me: Call me later?
I ran my fingertips over my bracelet, when the bubbles popped up to let me know he was responding.
Trey: You bet.
I breathed a sigh of relief, before grabbing my laptop and purse, heading out the door. I barely knocked on Jake’s door when a truck pulled into his driveway. Turning, I watched Chris or Cam jump out and make his way towards me. I honestly doubt I’ll ever be able to tell them apart.
“Hey Lanie.” He said, walking towards me.
“Hey…umm…” Ugh. I felt stupid, but how the heck did anyone ever know difference? They were completely identical.
Smirking, he stood in front of me. “Cam.”
I shook my head, embarrassed. “I’m sorry, but honestly how does anyone tell you two apart?”
He chuckled. “It was actually a little easier before because we had different haircuts.” He ran his hand through his dark brown locks.
“Any other differences?” I asked hopefully.
He grinned and leaned in conspiratorially. “There are, but you can’t see them and If we showed you, Lucy and Syd might get mad.”
I felt the heat rush up my neck but I had no words, which ticked me off because I had been doing so well. As if somehow sensing my distress, Luke pulled the door open and pushed out, shutting it quietly behind him.
He took one look at me and scowled at Cam. “What the hell did you say to her man?”
Cam burst out laughing, hands on his narrow hips and I was happy to see Luke join in. It was nice to see this Luke who seemed lighter than he had only a few weeks ago.
Luke swung his arm around my shoulders and looked down. “Sorry Lanie. He’s usually not the bad one.”
I shrugged, but had no witty comeback. “So, is Bray asleep?”
“He was. For your sake, I hope he stays that way for a while.”
I waved him off and moved towards the door, pulling out from under his arm. “Does he need his medicine?”
Luke looked down at his phone and shook his head. “No, he should be good until noon or so.”
I nodded and wrapped my hand around the knob, turning and pushing the door open.
I was barely inside when Luke called my name and I turned. “Thanks for doing this and good luck.”
I smiled, but cocked my head to the side. It seemed odd to wish me luck, but maybe Bray had been exceptionally grumpy that morning or something. “No problem. We’ll be fine, he wasn’t too difficult last night.”
Cam
muttered something I didn’t hear before Luke moved in front of him. “Just call any one of us if you need anything.”
I nodded and watched as they turned and walked to Cam’s truck. I didn’t stay to watch him help Luke into the truck. I’d learned from riding with Luke and Jake to his parents that needing help seems to upset him, but people watching it embarrasses him and Luke’s been so great to me, I would never want to embarrass him.
Lying my stuff on the kitchen counter, I walked to Bray’s room, quietly opening the door and going to his crib. He was curled on his side, his face still flushed, but not nearly as bad as last night. I ran the back of my hand along his head and relaxed when his skin felt only mildly warm. He seemed to be sleeping easier as well so hopefully he was on his way back to healthy. I’d never thought much about having kids, but after spending time with Braydon, I’d love to have one someday, as long as he’s just as sweet as Bray.
I tiptoed back out of the room, closing the door quietly behind me, ready to turn back to the kitchen when standing at the other end of the hall was Jake.
In nothing but red boxer briefs.
My mouth went dry. Holy cow, I’d never have guessed that construction work could create that type of body, although it was obvious now that I knew the whole family that genetics played its part as well. My eyes struggled to focus on one thing, but eventually were drawn to his wide, tanned shoulders and muscular arms, my body tingling when I focused on his hands hanging by his side remembering all too well what those hands felt like on my skin. His chest was wide and equally tan leading down to a narrow waist with a six pack to rival all six packs, and the infamous V I’d only ever read about. I didn’t think they existed on regular people.
I looked back at his face and for the first time noticed he seemed disoriented. “Jake, are you alright?” Had Luke mentioned he was home? I couldn’t remember.
He looked at me and shook his head, but stood still so I decided to go to him. I was only standing in front of him, but could already feel the heat coming from his skin. Reaching up, I felt his forehead and cringed. “Jake, you have a fever. Did you take anything?”
He shook his head again. “No.”
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