Page 107 of Deking
I narrow my eyes at him. “You all have complained about me never talking, and now that I do, it’s a problem?”
He holds up his hands. “I didn’t say it was a problem. I was just saying that you have always been the rock of the group. The steady one everyone comes to when they need clarity. It’s jarring to see you so out of sorts. I knew you liked this girl, but I didn’t realize you loved her.”
“Why wouldn’t I? She’s fucking perfect.”
The front door opens, drawing both of our attention. I groan when I see all of my friends and their women filing in.
“What the fuck are you doing here? You have a game tonight,” I curse at Clay and Beckett.
“Bereavement leave. Kellan said the funeral is tomorrow. We weren’t going to miss it,” Clay tells me.
“Is she doing okay?” Grace asks.
“Of course she isn’t,” Peyton scoffs. “She lost her father.”
Beckett pulls Peyton in, kissing the side of her head. She was a foster child, so family means something a little different to her.
“I swear, Brett. I am going to punch you,” I hear Emery yell as Brett comes through the door with my niece in his arms.
“You love me,” he calls back.
“Why is she mad at you now?” Beckett asks.
He grins. “She said she was getting the baby, but I told her no way. This is my bundle of joy.”
Emery steps through the door, looking like she has been through the wringer.
“The day you push a ten-centimeter head through your penis will be the day you can claim her as your bundle of joy. I went through the pain, I get the glory.”
Beckett chokes while Clay hides his face in Grace’s neck to stop from laughing. I crack a small smile, the familiarity of my people being in one room together again like a balm to my soul.
“Don’t worry, pumpkin. Mommy doesn’t mean it,” Brett whispers to his daughter.
“Hey, Wyatt.” Emery comes over, hugging me. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m fine,” I mutter.
“He’s a hot mess. Won’t stop pacing.” Kellan rats me out.
I shoot him a glare.
“That’s allowed,” Emery tells him.
Cora comes down the hall moments later squealing, which prompts Jason and Calvin to come out of their rooms to see what the commotion is.
With everyone gathered, I feel the pressure building. I have been keeping everything bottled up, and now it’s about time to let it blow.
“Guys, Lyla and I aren’t dating,” I tell them.
“What? Did you break up?” Cora asks, looking angry.
“If she broke up with you, it’s the pain talking. She will come to her senses,” Emery tells me.
I shake my head. “No. I mean, this whole thing has been fake. Or at least for her it was. I told her I needed her to fake date me to keep girls off my back.”
Brett snorts. “Jesus, she bought that lie?”
I glare at him, which only makes him laugh harder.
