“I don’t know… Old time’s sake?” Lavender guessed and smiled at Lane’s back as he grumbled a curse and got out of the car, slamming the door behind him. A contented smile spread across Lavender’s face. “At least we’ll never change.”
ChapterTen
The mood at brunch was markedly different when Speed arrived with Blake. This was only Speed’s second time attending but the atmosphere was more relaxed and he received far fewer stares as he mingled.
“No one’s worried about what you’re hiding or if you’ve got another plan,” Blake whispered when Speed pulled him aside to share his observations. “You’re just here because you’re supposed to be,” Blake said simply and went to see if Sage needed a hand in the kitchen.
“Hmmm…” Speed’s eyes narrowed as they traveled around the living room, the foyer, and the dining room.
Small cliques had formed within the group but Speed didn’t sense any hostilities or rivalries. The “normies”—Ezra and Blake—gravitated to Sage and the kitchen while Lavender and Lane were posted by the fireplace in the living room like elder statesmen. Aiden and Toly were seated on the sofa, discussing a case involving an internet stalker as Denver, Wilder, and Hawk shoved and teased each other in the foyer. The only person who wasn’t happily chatting was Grim but he seemed content as he murmured to himself and sipped on a mimosa. But even Casper Grim was at ease and had found his place in Lavender’s orbit.
“Trying to decide where you’re safest,” Lane guessed as he and Lavender joined Speed. He started to deny it but Speed smiled and leaned toward Lane conspiratorially.
“For once, I’m looking for where I can do the least damage. I have a feeling I’m still on probation and I don’t want to upset all the goodwill the engagement has brought me,” he teased. Lane waved it off, then put an arm around Speed. Speed tensed, expecting Lane to inform him that he would never gain their trust. But Lane laughed softly and gave Speed a warm squeeze.
“It’s just brunch, Speed. We’re here to hang out and check in with each other. That’s it. Just be yourself and you’ll be fine.”
Lavender hissed as he pinched his fingers together. “Perhaps be just a little bitlessand you’ll be fine,” he amended with a wink at Speed.
“I’ve got my hands full with Kat now,” Speed told them and caught Lavender’s and Lane’s amused grins. “She’s gotthousandsof questions and will be demanding all my attention and energy from here on out,” he said, making Lane chuckle.
“God bless you. We kept everything as simple and quiet as possible when Aiden and I got married and she’s never gotten over that.”
“You barely had a wedding,” Lavender scolded but Lane smiled as his eyes drifted to the sofa.
“We just wanted to be married and Aiden was still recovering. He’d spent years running from a stalker so we did something small at our place with just my family, Chief, and Sandy. It was perfect because I can drink my coffee in the very spot I was standing in when we first made love and where I said my vows.”
It took Speed a moment, he was so moved by the connection Lane and Aiden shared. Blake often said he wanted a relationship like theirs but Speed didn’t know if it was possible for two people to be as well-suited as they were. Someone like Blake was not suited for someone like Speed. And Speed wasn’t at all suitable but he’d been blessed for some miraculous reason.
“You got away with that because Aiden wantedeven lessof a wedding,” Lavender replied with a grumble but there was a telling shimmer to his eyes. “I enjoy weddings, myself, and am looking forward to seeing you and Blake tie the knot.”
Speed cringed at Lane. “I guess we should invite him.”
Lavender’s face fell and Lane bit down on his lips as he turned red. Speed laughed, giving Lavender a playful punch on the shoulder.
“I’m kidding. You and Sage have to be there and I’m hoping Robin can come as well,” he said sincerely.
“I think Robin would have a wonderful time in Sparks,” Lavender said. There was an excited gasp from Lane.
“I can’t wait to show Robin around the ranch!”
“You know,” Lavender said, turning to Lane. “I’m surprised he hasn’t been yet. Robin adores your parents and your sister. And he and Henry get along so well.”
“I might kidnap him and take him with us the next time we go,” Lane said, narrowing his eyes at Lavender. “I’m gonna run this by Sage.” He gave Speed a salute before he took off.
“He’s got to be the world’s best uncle,” Speed said with a laugh but he meant it.
“Fatherhood would have been a hell of a lot scarier and I think I might have failed if I hadn’t had Lane there to back me up,” Lavender said, surprising Speed.
“I’m sure you’re just saying that. Nothing rattles you.”
“Theonlything that rattles me is parenthood. But I have an excellent role model who also happens to be the world’s best uncle and babysitter,” Lavender explained. Then, he stepped closer and lowered his voice. “It doesn’t hurt to have a personal assistant who will handle literally anything I ask of him and buckets of money to buy my child anything his heart desires.”
“But you don’t,” Speed argued, holding up a finger. “A good parent knows that money isn’t a substitute for love and attention. And I’ve seen some discipline where it’s needed. You could do a little more in that area but Robin is the good kind of spoiled,” he said, this time surprising Lavender.
“Well.” His mouth opened, then snapped shut. “Thank you, Speed…”
Speed shrugged it off. “I never said you weren’t a good father.”