Page 51 of Wicked Dares
Now look at us.
Those four little boys are grown men. Their baby sister—Adeline—is no longer a baby. She’s now talking about dating.
Knox and Dorian are both very happily married. Their wives, Isla and Elodie, are here. Isla and Knox are already planning for more kids, and Elodie is carrying a set of twins. We’ve never had twins in our family, so of course, the excitement is real.
This is what you call growing up.
I used to think I’d have certain things by now.
Not the baby part. Christ, definitely not that yet.
But the rest of it. Like having a woman beside me, and the sense of finally arriving somewhere instead of constantly chasing the next thing.
I often wonder how you’re supposed to feel when life keeps moving in circles like it does with me.
Same clubs. Same clients. Same women who never stay long enough to matter.
I’m sitting near Locke by the two-seater. Adeline is curled up on it with a blanket around her shoulders. She claims it’s cold down here.
It’s not.
My first thought is that she’s trying to pretend she’s sick to get out of hanging out with us for too long. Within the next hour, she’ll make up some excuse, then she’ll head back upstairs, and she’ll be on the phone to either the new boyfriend or one of her friends.
I can’t act like I’m innocent of not wanting to get out of the group early. I’m not myself, and it’s quite noticeable. I’ve hardlysaid much since I’ve been here, which is different for me. I’m usually the life of any get-together.
Tonight, even forcing a smile feels like work, and every second leaves too much room for Piper to slip back into my mind with the question of what she’ll decide.
“He really needs to have his nap now,” Knox says, “or he’ll be up all night and grumpy.”
Louise holds her hands up, laughing. “Alright, alright. I’ll allow you to take the baby. If he wakes up, I’ll grab his bottle. Is that okay?”
She checks with Isla for permission as well.
“Of course,” Isla says, smiling.
It’s nice to see how Isla and Elodie have fit into the family. The two are sitting together. With the same hair color, they look like they could be sisters. I don’t know how my brothers managed to find two women who couldn’t be more alike and who got on straightaway.
It’s definitely better than the alternative, where they could have hated each other. That wouldn’t have gone down well because Knox and Dorian are like two peas in a pod. We’re all close as brothers, but those two are like the same person.
Knox carries Dominic out of the room and up the stairs. I hear him going up as Louise looks over at Locke and me, giving us that smile we’ve grown used to.
She’s about to impart some wisdom.
“It’s just you two left now.” She points at both of us.
“Us two for what, Lou?” Locke asks.
“Don’t play dumb with me. I’m talking about marriage.”
“We’ll get married when we’re good and ready.”
“Well, don’t take too long. These are the best years.” She smiles wistfully.
“Yes. I agree.” Locke looks over at Adeline. “That goes for you, too, lil sis.”
Adeline straightens and smirks. “Like you said, I’ll do it when I’m good and ready. And that’s not anytime soon.”
“Hear, hear,” Dorian agrees from across the room. “I’d say you’d be ready in about a hundred years.”
