“Kit, how does Colt know that new guy you brought to the munch?” I asked.
“You mean Ty? He works with Colt.”
Huh. “With the Air Force?”
“Oh—no, they’ve started a security business together,” Kit clarified. “But they met in the Air Force. Ty was an electronic warfare specialist on Colt’s team when they did some classified stuff with the coolest jet in the world, the Raptor.”
My mouth twitched. I’d learned two things about fighter jets from Kit, the first being that, in front of Colt, the F-16 was always number one. And two, Kit thought so as well, but he had a crush on this way-more-advanced jet that ran deeper than he cared to admit to his fighter pilot Daddy.
This was interesting, though. Ty was an official member now, and they had that trip to Florida coming up. Macklin had divulged that they were going hunting in the Everglades.
As much as I loved wetlands where I could find cool frogs, I could think of nicer places to spend New Year’s than in a swamp.
“Do you think Ty will be at the auction?” I asked.
Shay furrowed his brow at me. “Boy, sit down. You have enough man meat now.”
That made everyone laugh, including me, but I shook my head too.
“It’s not for me, you nut! I’m asking for my cousin. He realized he was into men because of Ty.”
Tate had never joined a conversation so quickly. “Is that so? Tell us everything.”
I smirked.
That afternoon, I arrived in Mclean with my lumberjack Pop, who was wearing the beanie I’d given him. Plus, he’d trimmed his beard this morning, so he was just freakishly hot all over.
As soon as we jumped out of the truck, we shared a look of confusion and amusement, and it was clear that the new stereo equipment met all the requirements. Oh my gosh! We heard the heavy bass all the way up by the carport.
Perfect club music, to boot.
“I guess they’re testing the new surround sound,” he chuckled.
“Let’s hurry! Chase me, Pop!” I took off in a run, excited for our evening.
But before waterboarding, I had to say hi to Daddy! He was unfortunately leaving soon to pick up the kids, and then they’d head home to Archie and start dinner. Greer and I would be late, so Archie had left us food in the cabin. Chili without beans—because gross—and homemade bread. My stomach snarled in approval.
Right before I reached the main house, some big oaf passed me, and I stared in sheer disbelief.
“What the fuck!” I yelled. “Brats tell their Owners to chase them, but the Owners never comply!”
“All I heard was, you’re slow!” he hollered over his shoulder.
I. Was. Not. Slow.
Gosh darn it, I was one of the fastest members in our whole community!
I clenched my jaw and picked up the pace, and I full-on sprinted down the lawn.
Past the cabins, past River with his eyebrows hitched high, past a grinning Colt, and past Penelope and Ella.
I spotted Daddy coming out from the tent, looking all sexy in utility pants and a formfitting, long-sleeved tee with the sleeves pushed up, and I lost my breath a little. Ink and steel on display, nerdy glasses on.
“Daddy, stop him!” I shouted. “I have to reach the tent before him!”
Greer laughed, out of breath, when Sloan smirked wickedly and braced for impact. “You’re supposed to be on my side, you fucker.”
“We gotta keep you on your toes, Shep.”
Yeah!
I grunted and pushed myself to the limit, and I was so close, only a few feet behind Greer.
A second later, Greer tried to dodge and steer away from Sloan’s path, but Daddy was quick on his feet, and the two crashed into each other and went down with Greer groaning.
“I win!” I panted. I slapped my hands against the tent wall and immediately started shaking my butt to the music and wielding an imaginary lasso in the air. “Woo-hoo! I win!”
When I looked back to Daddy and Greer to accept my applause, I felt my forehead crease and realized I had been temporarily forgotten. Because they were being cutie pies together. Sloan was on all fours, hovering over Greer, who wore a silly little smile for Daddy till they started kissing.
It was difficult not to go aww.
It was so much easier for Archie and me to sneak around to get our sugar from the partner we weren’t officially dating. Well, I wasn’t officially dating anyone yet as far as the kids were concerned, but still. Sloan’s focus behind the scenes was on me, and Archie and Daddy made sure to get some cuddles in too, just like Greer and I did—and Archie and I, for that matter—but at that point, we ran out of hours in the day.
Sometimes, Greer and Daddy would take a shower together. Otherwise, they’d wait till they were out of the house before they canoodled in public.