“Oh, right.” James looked like he might actually take his husband up on that offer.
“Damn, I already knew you were far more badass than me, but that cinched it.” Neil rearranged his package as if just thinking about it pained him. “James, get your shit and let’s go. We need your help to get caught up on the house progress at the Powertools site given the late nights we’ve been putting in on our paid jobs lately.”
Their expanded construction business was thriving. It seemed like half of Middletown was trying to hire them for something or other. But Liam got a funny feeling there was some other group activity Neil had in mind for his husband.
Devon grinned. “Yeah. Plus, now I’m worried the Shields are going to corrupt you.”
Jordan clutched his chest and rocked while howling at that.
Liam, Ace, and Ruby laughed as they exchanged knowing grins. He should have kept his thoughts to himself, but caught in the warmth of their affectionate gazes, he said, “As if. I’ve only ever considered having two lovers at once, not eight.”
JRad leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “About fucking time.”
James whooped. “First Wren is pregnant, then you three finally hook up, plus Liam’s dick is full of sexy jewelry. Is it any wonder I love working here?”
“You’re pregnant?” Devon asked, then rushed to hug Wren while Neil shook Jordan and Kason’s hands.
“So since it looks like we have a minute…” James leaned in as if he could see through Liam’s jeans with the X-ray vision he’d probably pretended to have when aspiring to be a superhero as a kid. “Can I see it?”
“No way.” Liam put his hands over his crotch.
“I mean, I’d take a look. For professional research, of course.” Blakely glanced over her shoulder slyly.
“It looks better when it’s hard.” Liam could have kicked himself the instant the words left his mouth.
“I can help you with that,” Ace muttered, which got Liam halfway there. “I dare you to show them.”
Ruby shifted restlessly and didn’t join in the ribbing.
“Do it for science!” James pleaded.
Liam couldn’t have said what made him do it, but he side-eyed Ruby. “Should I?”
“Absolutely not.” She clamped her hand over his wrist, both thrilling and terrifying him with her possessiveness.
“So it’s like that.” James pouted, but only a little. “I’m happy for you three. Really.”
He hopped up and laid a loud smack on each of their three cheeks. Had he only been goading them for information the whole time?
“I’m glad you’re together,” JRad said quietly. “I wish you as much happiness as I’ve found with Lily.”
“Wait, I didn’t say that. Did I?” Liam stood up, putting a tiny bit of distance between him and Ruby and Ace before he did something stupid and professed his love when they hadn’t so much as discussed what they wanted for the future.
He wished he could be as confident as Ace and Ruby. Hell, they were already acting like lovebirds, fawning over each other and touching every chance they could get. They’d twisted so tight around each other the night before, all he could do was watch with envy from his side of the bed.
But apparently that wasn’t the right thing to say. Ace locked up tight and Ruby glared at Liam as she kneaded Ace’s chest.
“I’m with Ruby,” Ace said plainly. He held out his hand to her and she clasped it in her own.
She didn’t stop there, though. She knelt over him and kissed him while the rest of the Shields cheered them on. Liam had no idea if they were making out to tease him for being too cowardly to embrace his emotions, to flaunt what he was missing out on, or simply because they fucking loved doing it.
In every scenario, he was screwed.