and get your slice. I’m hungry.” Hennessey growled like a bear just waking up from hibernation.
Lola shrieked as if her cake were really in jeopardy. She took off like a shot for the table where her grandmother was scooping pink ice cream.
“I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for my family today.” Hennessey wrapped me in a bear hug.
Before my brain caught up to what was happening, it was over. I felt empty somehow.
“The next time you’re downtown, stop into Bait. I’m the owner. Lunch, drinks, whatever you want is on the house for the rest of your life.”
“I might just take you up on that offer.” I’d heard of the bar but had never been inside. I was a creature of habit. Mike’s was where Nate and I hung out, but I supposed nothing said I couldn’t stop in to take Hennessey up on his generous offer.
“If you’re in the mood for cake, you’d better hurry. With the way Oz is circling the table, there isn’t going to be much left.” Hennessey dropped a wink and headed off for the table.
I followed along behind him, my eyes on the McCoy blended family. They all seemed to love having the others around. It was impossible to tell the brothers weren’t related by blood. Even the brothers’ boyfriends were treated like they were members of the family. Lola and Sophie bounced around between them all, sharing laughs and hugs.
The McCoys were what a family was meant to be. Whole. Strong. Not two strangers eating microwave dinners on TV trays in front of the evening news.
I wanted a place at the table. So help me God, I must be losing my mind, but more than anything, I never wanted to leave.
5
Hennessey
I was mesmerized by the dancing flames in the fire pit. In the distance I could hear the gentle waves lapping the shore of Gloucester Harbor. I would never say the words aloud, but Ozzy’s house was one of my favorite places in the world.
He owned a cute place out on Rocky Neck, a small spit of land that stuck out into the harbor. It was once a flourishing artists’ colony, but the great recession of 2008 wiped out a lot of the studios. Ozzy had bought his house around that time and the four of us spent months renovating it. The large wrap-around porch was the most attractive feature. Kennedy found plans online for a built-in firepit. It’s where we gathered on Saturday nights when we were all free.
Tonight, it was just Quentin, Oz, Kennedy, and me. Dallas was home with Saxon and the girls. After what happened to Lola today, neither of them wanted to let their daughter out of their sight. I couldn’t blame them.
“Is your heart still racing, or is it back to normal?” Ozzy asked when he sat next to me.
I frowned at my brother. “I was fine after I had Lola back in my arms. That little pixie took ten years off my life though.” More like twenty.
Ozzy snorted. He was joined by Kennedy and Quentin. Before I knew what was happening, they were howling like a pack of hyenas.
“What did I miss?” My brothers were always ragging on me for one thing or another. Usually, I knew what they were getting at, but at the moment, I had no clue.
“Jesus Christ on a cracker, Hen,” Quentin began, “don’t tell me you missed how fine the dog guy was.” He howled like a wolf. The others joined in.
“You mean Morrison Rowe?” It was just like Quentin to check out the man’s ass and forget his name.
“Aha!” Q shot back. “So, you did notice him.”
“If this is a dating intervention, I’m out. I have beer and chips at home. I don’t need to spend the night with the three of you jabbing me over the fact that I don’t have a man.” I was halfway out of my seat before Ozzy’s beefy hand grabbed my arm.
“Sit down, Hen. There’s no need to be dramatic.” Ozzy sighed as if he’d already had enough of my shit.
“Do you want a man?” Kennedy asked with no trace of snark in his voice.
“For the love of God, Kennedy. Just because you’re happy doesn’t mean everyone around you has to be.” Sometimes I wanted a man. Only every now and then, mainly when I saw my brothers with their forever loves.
“And why the hell not?” Kennedy took a sip from his bottle, his eyes never leaving mine. “I know you