Border shook his head. “I won’t let it.”
Maya studied his face for a moment before nodding. “Okay, then. So we just do what we feel is natural. No making out in front of my family because, gross, but holding hands, kissing, and leaning into one another? That’s normal. My family is very affectionate, and we always hug. And everyone knows I’m with you both, even if they don’t know the particulars.”
Border shook his head, a small smile on his face. “Because you told the girls at your girls’ night?”
Maya nodded. “That was part of it, then I told them some more because I talk to my family when I need to think.”
He couldn’t help the envy that hit him at that thought. He didn’t have a family to talk to about his relationships or his life in general. And the family he’d had at one point wasn’t one he’d ever talk to. Especially not about something as important as this. Jake had his brothers, and Border, in the past, had only had Jake. And when he’d let that go because he’d had to, he’d had no one.
He shook off those thoughts, knowing they wouldn’t lead to anywhere he needed to be, and let out a breath. “So, these family dinners are a common occurrence?”
Maya’s eyes brightened. “Yeah. We tend to try to meet as a group at least once a month, sometimes more. Most of us work with one another, so it’s not like we don’t see each other, but we’re always in each other’s pockets. Today, we have the siblings, their spouses, their kids, and any significant others. Meaning you two are with me. Tabby is there, too, though she’s not dating any of the Montgomerys. She’s part of the family, though since she’s part of the construction company’s heart. If that makes sense.”
Border frowned and reached out with his free hand to trace a finger down her cheek. “What’s wrong?”
Maya sighed. “We usually have an agenda with these meals. Either it’s to plan a holiday or a birthday or something. This time, though, I think it’s about Alex.”
Jake let out a curse. “He’s getting out of rehab soon.”
Maya nodded. “Yeah, and we want a game plan.”
Border kissed her cheek softly and pulled away. “Got it. I’m here no matter what.” Even if he felt awkward as hell being there in the first place.
The relief that passed over Maya’s face—and Jake’s for that matter—told him he’d said the right thing for once. She needed them, even if this was a new and daunting thing, and Border would figure out a way not to be uncomfortable in a group of strangers who all knew each other but not him. He might know Storm and Wes from his past, but it was still going to be awkward.
Border kissed her softly before letting her lead them inside the house. The noise inside wasn’t quite deafening, but it was close. The Montgomery clan wasn’t a quiet one, that was for sure.
For some reason, he thought with this many people, he, Jake, and Maya would be able to show up and blend right in. Not so much. Every single eye in the room landed on them, and people quit speaking—some mid-sentence.
They stared at the trio, and Border felt like pulling at his collar so he could breathe. He wasn’t used to this family thing. He didn’t have one of his own, and Jake’s hadn’t been that big. Jake had his brothers now, though he’d grown up with his parents, as well. The Gallaghers’ mother had died when Jake was a teenager; his father following her only a few short years ago. Nothing could match the sheer size of the Montgomerys at this point. Border could easily tell which ones were related by blood since they all had the same eyes.
And those eyes were measuring him up right then and there.
Jake cleared his throat and leaned ever so slightly toward Border so they brushed shoulders. When Maya did the same on the other side, he relaxed, knowing they were there for him no matter what. Though why he should be acting this way, he didn’t know. They were there for Maya after all, not him.
“Okay, you stared, you glared, and you’ve folded your arms over your chest to prove you’re tough and bad,” Maya snarled. “This is Border, and you already know Jake. Border, this is everyone. Now go back to your food and drinks and stop staring us down like you’re ready to pounce.”
A few of her family members laughed while the largest one just shook his head. He looked to be the eldest of the siblings so Border figured this was Austin. Considering Border hadn’t made it to Maya’s shop yet—something he would be changing soon—he didn’t know whom the brother she worked with daily was yet.
“You of all people, little sister, should know that we don’t just let things go,” the one Border thought was Austin said with a chuckle in his voice. “You bring home two men, one we know like a brother, the other we don’t know at all, and expect us not to be curious? You, of all people,” the man repeated.
Border raised a brow. “Why is he saying you of all people?” he asked Maya, though he kept his eyes on the brother.
“My brother Austin thinks he’s hilarious,” Maya said dryly.
This time, it was Jake who laughed. Border turned to his other lover, both brows raised this time. “What?”
Jake shrugged. “Maya is usually the one in everyone’s business. Fuck!” He rubbed his arm where Maya had slugged him. Jake looked around the room at the wide-eyed kids and winced. “Sorry.”
Border chuckled, he couldn’t help it. “Well, that makes sense I guess.” He stepped out of the way as Maya tried to punch him, as well. Instead, he gripped her hand and kissed her fist.
She narrowed her eyes at him at the public display of affection, and he let her arm fall. “Like she said, I’m Border. Nice to meet all of you.”
Storm took that moment to push through the others and bring Border in for a hug. “Nice to see you, man.”
And with that, the tension broke, and soon, Border was introduced to every single Montgomery family member, child, and even the family friend who worked for the Montgomerys—Tabby. She should have looked out of place with her straight-laced outfits and high ponytail, but she fit right in.
And after a few minutes, he started to feel a little more comfortable, as well. Maya and Jake were never far from his side, and though he got some curious looks, it wasn’t that bad. In fact, the family seemed downright delighted that Maya was with not only Jake, but Border, as well. Not everyone would be okay with a ménage relationship within their family dynamic, but the Montgomerys took it in stride. Or at least they did a really good job of pretending.
Since it was a bit chilly outside, it looked like they would be eating indoors. Maya’s parents made sure everyone was fed and had somewhere to sit, and that wasn’t an easy task considering the amount of people that filled the house. Thankfully, it seemed the older couple had kept building on to the house with each new kid, so there was plenty of room.
Border sat on one of the couches next to Maya with Jake on her other side. He was in the middle of a conversation with Storm when someone cleared their throat and the room quieted. Maya slid her hand into Border’s, and he couldn’t help but squeeze it softly before turning his attention to Meghan and Luc.
Meghan was Maya’s older sister and owned the landscaping division of Montgomery Inc., the construction company that had been started by Maya’s parents and was now owned and operated by Wes and Storm—with Tabby organizing them. Luc was Montgomery Inc.’s electrician, and apparently, had been best friends with Meghan when they’d been younger before she’d been married the first time. Border was slowly learning all the backstories for the Montgomerys, but it was going to take him time.
“So,” Luc began and cleared his throat. “Since we have all of your attention…”
Meghan blushed and leaned into her husband. “We’re having a baby! It’s still really early, but the little goobers found out by accident, and we don’t want to force them keep secrets.” She put her hands on the top of her children’s heads and smiled.
Maya screamed and jumped off the couch to hug her sister, and the rest of the family took turns with Luc and then Meghan once Maya let go. Border sat back, a smile on his face. It
was weird as hell that he was there while they were making such a huge announcement, but he knew he just needed to take it in stride. He was still learning to be with Maya, still learning who she was. But she wanted him there, and he would take things one step at a time.
Sasha, Meghan’s daughter from her first marriage, came up to him and stood in front of the couch. She put her little hand on his knee and batted her eyes at him. This little one had more of Maya in her than Meghan, and he couldn’t help but smile.
“Are you Aunt Maya’s boyfriend?” Sasha asked as she scrambled up to sit on his lap.
Border froze for a moment before resting his hand on her shoulder. He met Maya’s gaze for help, but she just smiled. Jake wasn’t even looking at him, so he was no help either.
“Yes,” he said finally. “I am.” It was almost the truth. He wasn’t sure he should say that the three of them were just lovers who were trying to figure out where they fit in each other’s lives at the moment.
“Is Jake Aunt Maya’s boyfriend, too?”
Border swallowed hard and looked to Maya for help. Thankfully, she took pity on him and picked her niece up off his lap. She twirled the little girl around to Sasha’s delighted giggles and set her down on her feet next to Maya.
“Yes, Sasha darling, Jake is my boyfriend.”
“And Border is my boyfriend, too,” Jake said with a grin. “We’re confusing, huh?”
Sasha rolled her eyes with the grace of a little kid. “Nope. You all like each other, so, duh, you’re together.” She beamed. “When I grow up, I want two boyfriends, too.” And with that, she skipped off to play with her brother and cousins.
Border met his lovers’ eyes and snorted. “Well, that wasn’t quite what I expected.”
Meghan walked up to them, her eyes bright, but a brow raised. “The Montgomerys are never what you quite expect. And did I just hear my baby daughter wants two boyfriends.”
Luc put his arm around his wife’s waist and glared at the triad. “My precious baby daughter isn’t having one boyfriend, let alone two.”
The rest of the family laughed, and Border joined in. He was astonished that no one seemed to have a problem with the fact that Maya, Jake, and Border were together. Or if they did, they kept it to themselves and didn’t make a big deal about it. He knew it wouldn’t be that easy outside of this circle, but it at least gave him hope.
Hope for what, he didn’t know. Their future was uncertain, and putting monumental stresses on it wouldn’t help anyone.
“So,” Harry Montgomery said after a moment. The patriarch of the Montgomery family looked like he’d been through the wringer and had come out fighting. Border knew from Jake that Maya’s father had recently fought cancer and won. The man looked good for someone who had been through all he had.
“So,” Marie said after a moment. She put her hand in her husband’s and sighed. “Alex gets out tomorrow.”
Border stiffened. He hadn’t known that. He knew the Montgomery son who had gone to rehab a few months ago would be getting out soon, but he didn’t know it was so close. Hell, no wonder Maya was on edge beyond everything going on with the three of them.
“I’m going to pick him up,” Maya said firmly. She held up her hand when the others began to speak all at once. “I know we’ve called him and he’s listened to us. I know we’ve written and he’s acknowledged that. But he hasn’t let any of us see him. I don’t know why, but he needed space, I get it. We’re a big family.” She paused, her brow creasing. “Jake and I are the ones that dropped him off when he knew, and when we knew it was time he got help—help we couldn’t provide on our own.” She met Jake’s gaze, and Border had the overwhelming urge to pull back from the two of them in that moment. “Jake and I should be the ones to get him.”
Jake gripped her hand and lowered his head. “I know he’s your brother, but I’ll be there for him.”
Border cleared this throat, aware he was about to do something that could backfire immensely. “I’ll go, too.”
Everyone turned to him, but he only had eyes for Maya and Jake. “I don’t know Alex, but I do know Maya and Jake. So I’ll be there for them. And maybe it will be good for your brother to see someone who doesn’t have any past expectations of him.”
Maya’s eyes filled and she came to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “Thank you,” she whispered.
He held her close and reached around for Jake, who came around Maya’s back to hold her, as well. It should have been awkward as hell to have the three of them hold one another in front of Maya’s family, but it only felt right. He couldn’t explain it, but maybe this was one of those things he shouldn’t have to explain.
“I think that’s a fine idea,” Marie said as the others began talking all at once again. She moved to Border’s side and cupped his cheek. “You’re a good man, Border. I hope to get to know you better now that you’re in my daughter’s life. And in the life of the man I call a son when no one’s looking.”
Jake chuckled roughly, and Border couldn’t help but join him. “I’ve heard you tried to adopt Jake a few times,” he said finally. The warmth of her touch on his cheek felt like home…and he wasn’t sure what to think about that.
“I’ve tried to adopt the entire Gallagher clan. But they won’t let me.” Marie winked, and Border shook his head.
The Montgomerys were more than he’d ever hoped for, and yet he wasn’t sure what would come of it. There was no set future for him, Maya, and Jake, he knew that, but with just this taste of what they could be, he was afraid to hope.
Because hope could lead to heartache.
Again.
Border drove toward the rehab center with Maya in the passenger seat and Jake in the back. The SUV was large enough that Alex would be able to fit easily, and not have to touch a single person in the process. While Border had said he’d go for Maya, and Alex for that matter, he was now a little worried he’d stepped in it. He didn’t know this man and his demons. Frankly, he wasn’t sure any of the Montgomerys knew Alex’s demons. And now he was inserting himself into Alex’s life at a time that was beyond fragile.
This was for Maya, though. Maya and Jake. Border might have only met Maya because of Jake, but through all of the years of hearing about her and now meeting her, getting to know her, Border knew what he felt for her wasn’t just because of Jake. That was something he would have to figure out with Maya, but right now wasn’t the time to think about it.
Instead, he would be by Maya’s side when she went through hell for her brother. She was already pale, the ink on her skin showing in stark contrast. She kept bouncing her knee up and down while fluttering her fingers on her thigh. She couldn’t stop moving, and Border wasn’t sure what to do. With Jake in the backseat, it was up to Border to try to help from the front seat. He reached out and gripped her hand, squeezing harder than he normally would have, but not enough to hurt.
“I’m here, Maya.” He tilted his head toward the backseat even as he kept his eyes on the road in front of him. “We both are.”
Jake leaned forward and put his hand over theirs. “Yeah, cotton candy, we’re here.”
Maya snorted, and Border just shook his head. “Cotton candy?” she said with a laugh. “That’s really the best you could come up with?”
Border looked into the rearview mirror and saw Jake grin unrepentantly. “You’re sweet as spun sugar, sugar.”
“Jesus,” Border grumbled, even as he smiled. “You’re shitty at names, Gallagher.”
Jake squeezed Border’s shoulder before leaning back in his seat. “She doesn’t like baby, honeybee, darling, honey, cotton candy, sugar, pumpkin, brownie, girl, baby girl, or jiggly ass, so I’m trying to figure out what to call her.”
Maya met Border’s eyes before he turned his attention back to the road. “Did you just call my ass jiggly.”
Border shook his head. “I’m staying out of this one.”
Maya smacked him in the gut, hard. Jesus that girl had a hell of an arm. “W
atch it, Gentry. And Gallagher, what the fuck?”
Jake laughed from his seat, careful to keep out of Maya’s reach. “Your ass jiggles nicely when I’m fucking you from behind and my hands are gripping you. You have enough meat on your bones that I can get a nice handful. Just wait until I’m fucking that ass. You’ll jiggle around my cock, and I’m going to come harder than I ever have.”
Border groaned and had to adjust himself in his jeans. “Thanks, asshole. Now I have a pipe in my jeans, and we’re almost there.”
Maya sucked in a breath. “If you call me jiggly ass again, I won’t let you fuck my ass. Now, let’s stop talking about fucking because I have to walk into the center and pick up my brother. And if I look like I need to come, I’m not going to be happy.”
“Just trying to cut the tension,” Jake said mildly. “And we’re here for you, Maya. No matter what.”
Border’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “No matter what.”
Maya sighed softly. “I know. I never doubted that. Thank you.”
They drove the next few minutes in silence before pulling up to the center. Maya let out a little whine before taking off her seatbelt and opening her door before Border had even turned off the engine.
“Maya, hold up.”
“He’s outside,” Maya said. “My baby brother, you guys. That’s my baby brother.” And with that, she jumped out of the SUV and walked slowly toward the tall man in a flannel shirt and worn jeans leaning against the brick surface of the building. He had a duffle bag at his feet and a camera bag sitting on top of it.
Border looked over his shoulder at Jake and met the other man’s gaze. “You ready?”
“Nothing to be ready for. This is Alex,” Jake said simply and got out of the vehicle to join Maya.
Border knew that was a lie. This was Alex. A broken man and an addict. He only knew what people had told him about the other man, but he understood that no matter what, Maya would never give up on him. Border just prayed she didn’t get hurt in the process. He knew he was putting his own family shit in the middle of how he felt about the man who had hurt the Montgomerys, and Border needed to get over that. He didn’t know why Alex had turned to alcohol, and it wasn’t any of his business. But if Maya needed Border, he’d be there because there was no other choice when you cared about someone.
Ink Enduring (Montgomery Ink #5) Page 15