Total pages in book: 188
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 182255 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 911(@200wpm)___ 729(@250wpm)___ 608(@300wpm)
“I admit, I’m pretty happy.” Raine all but preened. “But you’re the one who looks gorg. I swear you get more beautiful every time I see you. If I didn’t love you so much, I’d hate you.”
Hammer and Liam looked on from the doorway, bro-hugging and fist-bumping Seth before they grinned broadly and greeted Heavenly with warm hugs.
“So…where’s this teenage son of yours?” Raine pulled back from Seth’s welcoming embrace. “And did you really think the world needed another you?”
He slung an arm around Heavenly’s waist and grinned. “Of course. Hudson is my gift to humanity. You’re welcome.”
Everyone laughed as they wandered into the kitchen. Footsteps thundered up the stairs. Seconds later, Hudson appeared at the top, dressed in board shorts and a T-shirt. “Did I hear my name?”
“Speak of the devil,” Seth said with obvious pride, moving to stand beside his son with a clap on the back. “Hudson, I’d like you to meet our best friends. This is Macen Hammerman—call him Hammer—Liam O’Neill, and their wife, Raine.”
Hudson stepped forward with easy confidence. “What’s up? Nice to meet you.”
Raine’s eyes went wide as she took in Hudson’s face, her gaze darting between father and son. “Wow. You are a dead ringer for your dad.”
“No kidding,” Hammer added, extending his hand to Hudson. “The resemblance is incredible.”
“Good to meet you, lad.” Liam shook with the kid, then turned back to Seth, his smile sly. “If he’s the devil, it’s no surprise. He is half you, mate.”
“Fuck you. Just wait until those twin girls of yours grow up. We’ll see how angelic they are since they’re half you.”
The Irishman laughed even harder. “If they’re not angels, blame Raine. After all, they’re half her, too.”
The tsking brunette swatted his shoulder. “Ciara has my sweet disposition, thank you very much. Catronia, the little hellraiser, is all you.”
“Try the other way around,” Liam drawled.
Heavenly laughed. “Where are those precious babies?”
“With Liam’s sisters. They’re leaving for Ireland day after tomorrow, so they wanted to spend a little more time with their nieces. But Meg will be back with Liam’s mother when this one is born.” Raine slid her hand over her seemingly flat stomach.
Honestly, the woman didn’t look as if she’d recently had twins and was already pregnant again.
Seth jumped into the banter. “Hammer’s son will undoubtedly be a menace to society.”
Hammer shrugged. “The kid has no prayer. After all, Raine will be his mother.”
“Hey!” she objected. “You can both do without for the rest of the weekend.”
Liam leered at her. “But we know you can’t, love.”
“Besides…” Macen bent to murmur in her ear. “That’s not going to happen, precious.”
Blushing, Raine stuck out her tongue as Heavenly heard another set of footfalls on the stairs. Moments later, Hudson’s friend appeared, dressed for the pool.
“This is Casen,” Hudson told the others.
Raine waved. Hammer shook his hand.
Then Liam followed suit. “Are you lads on the football team together?”
“Yeah, I play safety,” Casen replied. “Hudson’s our new starting receiver. Guy’s got serious hands.”
Hudson looked embarrassed by the praise. “Or I just got lucky with a few good throws.”
“Lucky, my ass,” Seth said with a grin. “You earned that starting position.”
With a shrug, Hudson changed the subject. “Can we swim now?”
Seth nodded. “Be sure you each grab a towel from the linen closet before you dive in.”
“Got it.” Hudson took off running, Casen right behind him.
“And don’t forget sunscreen!” Heavenly called as the boys darted for the patio.
“We know,” Hudson said with exaggerated patience as he slung open the sliding door.
“Come on out,” Beck called, closing the lid on the grill.
As the teenagers tossed their towels on the nearest lounge and hastily applied sunscreen, the rest of the men meandered outside, Liam and Hammer greeting Beck with good-natured jibes and smiles.
The second the door closed behind them, Raine whirled on Heavenly, who resumed prepping the food. “Okay, how are you all really adjusting to this new development? I’m sure the fact Seth has a sixteen-year-old son was mind-boggling.”
Heavenly nodded. “That’s an understatement. I mean, he’s no monk, but…”
“Right? And going from a threesome to suddenly having a teenager in the house… I can’t even imagine the upheaval.”
Heavenly pulled cherry tomatoes and chopped celery from the refrigerator, laying them out on the tray with the accompanying dip. “It was awkward at first. Hudson’s a good kid, but when he first arrived? He was so angry at everything and everyone, especially Seth.”
“That’s what my brother said. River swore the kid looked just like Seth, but had an attitude so toxic it was almost nuclear.”
“Seth is trying so hard to be the father Hudson needs, and it’s working…most of the time. But there are moments when he…reverts. I see the attitude again.”
“Well, he’s a teenage boy. I was twelve when River left home, but I remember the way he acted.” Raine rolled her eyes. “He was a shit, always playing pranks on me.”