“Only if you’re into that kind of thing.” The words are out before I even comprehend what I’m saying. My head snaps up to gauge his reaction. I’m so accustomed to my father’s biting commentary along with everyone else in the office that it’s a comfortable role to fall into—even with someone as un-fun as Rhett Eaton.
He’s glaring at me with his most unimpressed expression when the back door bangs open again, interrupting our exchange.
Luke flies into the house like a bat out of hell and launches himself into Rhett’s lap, followed by more heavy feet and deep voices. Cade steps into the kitchen first, followed by his dad, and then a man who has to be the third brother.
He’s a dead ringer for every other man in this family—except he smiles like his dad and his eyes are light.
“You must be Summer,” he says, grinning at me appreciatively as he leans up against the door frame. His hair is trimmed tight and there’s a polish about him that Rhett and Cade don’t have.
“This is Beau,” Harvey pipes up, pulling a seat out at the oversized table. “You caught him home between deployments.” I can’t help but smile back at the older man. His pride is spilling out of him all over the floor.
Harvey Eaton loves his boys with a fierceness I admire.
“Nice to meet you, Beau. I’m Summer Hamilton.” I smile softly, already loving the family atmosphere here in the cozy house. Even if it is testosterone overload.
“You all finished with your meeting?” Harvey asks as Cade starts digging through the fridge and pulling out ingredients for dinner.
“Yes,” Rhett announces before I can say anything.
I stand, feeling sufficiently dismissed by Rhett’s cool tone. “I’ll get out of your hair.”
“Where you going, lady?” Luke asks. “It’s dinner time. I thought you lived here now? I heard Grandpa say it.”
I suck in a deep breath and glance down at Rhett, whose eyes have dropped shut, a small smile playing across his features.
It looks good on him.
“You live here now?” Cade’s head snaps up, his face in what seems to be his favorite expression—bitchy.
“Um. Just for a while.” My gaze settles on Harvey, who shakes his head and looks down like he knows what’s coming.
“Hang on.” Beau’s head is swiveling between Rhett and me, amusement dancing on every feature. “Your agent is living with you? Why?”
“It’s very temporary—” I start.
“Is this because you punched that guy?” Beau continues, intelligent eyes working through things so plainly.
“You punched someone?” Cade asks, brows knitting together.
“Bro. You need to turn a TV on now and then. You live in the dark ages.” Beau laughs.
Cade turns to Rhett, who still hasn’t opened his eyes. “Did he deserve it?”
Rhett smiles now, a real big smile. “So fucking much.”
“Bad word, Uncle Rhett!” Luke’s hands slap down over his ears with a shit-eating little grin.
My eyes bounce between everyone in the room, living for the level of comfort here. It’s amusing. It’s charming. It’s so different from how my childhood home felt.
“He’s in a tight spot with his sponsors, that’s all,” I clarify.
Cade grunts as he chops carrots. “When is he not in trouble?”
“Wait.” Beau’s face brightens. “Did you get assigned a babysitter?”
Rhett groans and drops his head back against the couch.
“I don’t like my babysitter either, Uncle Rhett.” Luke pats him like a dog and a laugh bubbles up out of me. Because Rhett called this. Harvey called this. They knew exactly how it was going to go down, and that level of familiarity is heartwarming to me. It’s chaotic in here already, and I love it. I’m starry-eyed and giddy.