Orrin
From the moment she stepped back into town, I wanted her.
No matter where I am, if she’s around, she has all of my attention. The only problem is that she doesn’t know it. She doesn’t know that I can feel her when she walks into a room or that I can see her auburn hair when I close my eyes at night.
I think it’s time to do something about that.
Jade
From the moment I stepped back into town, I wanted him.
He’s always surrounded by a group of his brothers or his best friend, but that doesn’t stop me from stealing glances. He doesn’t know that I’m crushing on him like a teenager or that sometimes I dream of him.
Maybe one day, I’ll do something about that.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
PROLOGUE
Orrin
There is something to be said about family traditions. Especially in the Kincaid family. We take our traditions very seriously. This one, however, is one I never miss. Once a year, my dad takes my eight brothers and me—yes, you read that right. I have eight brothers—camping and fishing for an extended weekend. We leave my mom, who is also the only female in our house, on her own to do… well, whatever it is women do when they have the house to themselves. We take to the country and live our best lives. We don’t worry about saying “excuse me” when we pass gas or belch, and we don’t have to worry about Mom asking us if we washed behind our ears.
Yes, you read that right too. I’m not sure if you know this, but boys… guys are dirty. Especially teenage boys, prepubescent boys, and toddlers. There are nine of us, all stair-stepped in age by two years, and only one set of twins. The babies, Maverick and Merrick.
I’m ranked first in the lineup. Beneath me, we have Declan, Brooks, Sterling, Rushton, Archer, Ryder, and then the twins. It goes without saying there has never been a dull moment growing up in our house. My brothers might drive me crazy, but I’d lay my life down for them.
“Boys,” Dad says, and we all stop what we’re doing and gather around the campfire. We all know what’s coming. The same speech he gives us every single year. “Don’t ever expect anything in this life to be handed to you. You have to work hard and love even harder.”
“You work hard every day building things, right, Daddy?” six-year-old Maverick asks.
“That’s right.”
“And you love Momma hard?” Merrick, his twin, asks.
My brothers and I snicker at that, and even Dad cracks a smile. “With every breath,” he tells him.
My dad lets his eyes fall on each of us. “I love you, boys. Know that you can always come to me with anything. Me or your mother. We’re here for you always.”
A chorus of “We know” and “love you too” rings out around the fire.
“Flashlight tag!” Archer cheers, and everyone scurries to their tents to grab their flashlights.
No matter how old we get, we’re never too old for a game of flashlight tag with our brothers.
CHAPTER
ONE
Orrin
I can’t take my eyes off her. I’ve been watching her all night, but that’s nothing new. Every single time Jade Sanders is anywhere near, my eyes stay glued to her. Of course, I try to do it on the sly. I don’t need my brothers giving me shit, but truthfully, if it got me the girl, I wouldn’t even care what they had to say. They can dish it out all day long if she’s mine.
“See something you like?” Declan asks.
“Just wondering when Deacon’s going to do this thing.”
“Uh-huh.” He laughs. “I’m sure that’s why you’re staring at that table full of beautiful women that our baby cousin is currently sitting with.
“I plead the fifth.” I grin, and so does he.
“Just ask her out already. Anytime she’s around, your eyes follow her. It doesn’t matter where she is in the room.”
I think about denying it, but there’s no point. My brothers and I are close, all nine of us, even the twins who are the babies of the family. “Can’t help it.”
“Just go talk to her.”
“Thought about it,” I confess.
“And what’s stopping you?”
“Been a long time since I asked a woman out on a date.”
He nods. “I get that, man, trust me, single dad here, remember?” He points to his chest. “She and Ramsey have gotten close. Hell, those four are thick as thieves.” He motions toward the booth where Ramsey, our baby cousin, her best friend, Palmer, Palmer’s sister, Piper, and Jade, who is Piper’s best friend, are sitting. They’re all laughing and talking, and they keep glancing this way.
“Just like riding a bike,” Declan says, slapping a hand on my shoulder.
“Then why haven’t you done it?”
“You know my situation is different. Besides, I have a sassy little girl who I spend all my free time with.”
“You’re a great dad, Dec. You can take time for yourself.”
He nods. “Yeah, but I want to give it all to her.” A smile comes over his face. “I still remember the day Cassie came to the shop asking if we could talk. I assumed it was like any other hookup, you know? She wanted to get together again, but I was going to politely decline. I was scared as hell that day, O. I thought my life was over. I was having a baby with a woman I’d met once. Then I heard my girl’s first cries, held her in my arms, and it changed me. I know it sounds crazy, brother, but that’s what happened. I’d give my daughter all my days and all my minutes over a random hookup.”