His Apprehensive Mate - Brea Alepou Page 0,15

niece had a thing for race cars. Also, Dillan and Ava both were super vocal during the movie, but as Morgan looked around the room, he realized that this was what a family was. Movie nights and spending time together. Morgan fed Kenny some popcorn and relaxed against his mate’s warmth and enjoyed the oddly violent but pretty decent movie.

By the time the ending rolled around, Kash was asleep in Dezi’s arms, the popcorn bowl propped on his protruding belly. Dillan, Ava, and Cole all clapped at the end of the movie, startling Morgan at first.

“There should be a rule of how many crashes are allowed in a car movie. I swear they just started blowing up cars for fun,” Logan said, getting up from the floor.

Morgan had to agree there were a lot of crashes throughout the movie.

“That’s the best part, and then when they got away at the last second,” Ava said with every ounce of car racing enthusiasm.

Morgan was starting to wonder how in the hell he’d made it back alive with Ava driving. He’d only opened his eyes a few times, but Ava had driven the whole way. It was an achievement to say the least with her being only fourteen, but with her love for racing, Morgan was happy he’d made it.

“When it’s time to get your license, I fear for everyone on the road,” Logan joked.

To Morgan’s surprise Ava rolled her eyes and scooted up a little. “I will have you know I’m an excellent driver.”

Logan laughed. “Two years and we’ll all need to have our helmets on.”

Ava crossed her arms. “Why do I have to wait two years?”

“The law prohibits it before then,” Clyde said matter-of-factly.

Ava threw herself back against the couch, pouting. Before Morgan could comment on it, there was a whining noise crackling through the baby monitor on the floor near Rhy and Dillan.

“Samantha is up for her bottle,” Rhy said.

Dillan jumped up and was off to the kitchen in seconds, racing cars clearly forgotten in favor of his child. Morgan wondered if he would be like that if Kenny wanted children.

He glanced over at Kenny and got a wink from his too-handsome mate, making Morgan blush.

Clyde stood and stretched, his eyes on Kenny. Some unsaid words passed between them before Kenny patted Ava’s head and placed a kiss on Morgan’s forehead.

“I’ll be back.”

“Um, okay,” Morgan said as Kenny walked out of the living room.

Dezi followed them out, and Kash walked over to them, yawning and rubbing his stomach.

“I made dinner if you’re hungry. I know you missed lunch,” Kash offered.

Morgan’s stomach took that chance to answer for him and rumbled. His cheeks heated with embarrassment. “Food sounds nice.”

Morgan glanced over to his niece, who went from loud and boisterous to quiet and aloof almost. What should I do? He was so lost at all of this. He’d never been able to be an uncle before, and now he was kind of like Ava’s guardian. Which he needed to talk to her about.

“Ava, there’s some sherbet in the freezer, I think. Logan and Dillan might have eaten all of it,” Kash said.

“I didn’t,” Logan said as he cleaned up the living room. “And Cole had some too.”

“Hey, don’t throw me under the bus. See what I have to deal with, Ava?”

Ava laughed, and the tension in Morgan’s chest eased. This was the best place for him and his niece. Morgan stood and caught the knowing smile on Kash’s face. He tied up his golden strands, moving toward the kitchen. Morgan and Ava followed behind him. He could still hear Logan and Cole chatting in the living room. The house was always lively, and oddly it’s what made the Bliss Pride house so homey. Even if Cole, Clyde, and Logan still didn’t live in the house, they spent so much time there they might as well move in.

Kash moved around the kitchen with ease. He always seemed so comfortable within the room. Morgan went to the large table in the kitchen and took a seat. Ava joined him, her hands tucked under the table, and calm silence filled the room as they sat there.

“Here you go,” Kash said, handing over a plate of leftovers from dinner

Morgan smiled at his friend. “Thank you.”

Kash winked at him before passing a bowl of sherbet ice cream over to Ava. “It looks like they didn’t eat all of it after all.”

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

“Oh, I think Logan called my name. I better go check on