it sure as hell isn’t on poker. I haven’t won this much from you in years.”
Sean glared at his brother but knew it was true. His mind was on Harper, and he could barely focus on the cards in front of him. Card tables had been set up in his parents’ den, and they had a good showing tonight. His dad and brothers, Rory and Kyle, along with Chauncey, Brody, and Blayze King filled the room.
Brock had not made it considering he was recuperating from a gunshot wound with his new girlfriend, Kallie at his side. He had stopped by Brock’s place to check on him, rib him for getting shot in the first place, and accuse him of skipping out on poker, leaving him to the mercy of their brothers.
It was not that the gathering was sexist because some months their sisters sat in on a game as well. But tonight, the women were out and about, except for the two moms, who were in the kitchen visiting. It did not matter that Hannah and Sharon had lived next to each other for almost thirty-five years... whenever they got together, they bent their heads together, apparently having a lot to talk about.
Brody looked over at him and grinned. “I’d say it has to do with the pretty little fire examiner. Someone from my precinct was at the diner for lunch and said they saw you planting a goodbye kiss on her that would’ve sent your mom to the church.”
Now he turned his glare from his brother toward Brody. “I’d never do anything in public that would send Mom off to church.”
Brody’s grin morphed into laughter. “You’re not gettin’ it, Sean. The idea that you might be hooking up with somebody that could eventually give her grandchildren would have your mom running to the church in joy. She’d be yelling for the priest to get ready for the ceremony!”
That had the others join in the laughter, his dad most of all. “Son, as your mother keeps reminding me, you’re not getting any younger.”
“Right now, Harper and I are just starting to date. Let’s not jump the gun on getting the church ready to have a wedding.”
Sharon walked into the room, beers on a tray. Colm jumped up and took the tray from her, giving her a quick kiss. “Sweetheart, you do not have to wait on us. Grown men can go get their own beer.”
“I know,” Sharon said, smiling at everyone before her gaze sharply landed on Sean. “I just thought I’d come in and see what you’re talking about.”
Sean glanced over and saw Hannah hovering by the door, a smile wide on her face as the men once again erupted into laughter. He sighed heavily. “Yes, I’m going out with Harper. That’s all it is right now.”
“Isn’t that the girl whose arm you broke?” Rory asked, his eyes wide in pretend innocence.
Ignoring her youngest son, Sharon jumped in, her eyes bright with anticipation. “You should invite her to dinner.”
He glanced around at the combination of mirth and pity on everyone’s faces before he settled his gaze on his mom’s eager face. “Mom, do you really think it’s smart to bring someone over to meet our family all at one time when we’ve just started dating?”
Huffing, Sharon gently popped Colm on the shoulder as he tried to hide his smile. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you grinning about this, dear.” Twisting around to look at Sean, she said, “I’d like to know what’s wrong with our family. I think we’re a lovely family!”
Under his breath, Kyle whispered, “Tread lightly, bro.”
“Mom, I promise that I’ll have Harper over when I think the relationship is strong enough that she can withstand a McBride dinner.”
“A McBride and King dinner,” Hannah said, walking fully into the room, linking arms with Sharon. “After all, she’ll need to pass our approval as well, like Brock’s Kallie did.”
He muttered under his breath, “And you wonder why we’re all still single.”
“I heard that!” Sharon said.
“I told you to tread lightly,” Kyle whispered again, this time choking back a laugh.
Battling the urge to roll his eyes and curse at the same time, he clamped his lips shut and stared back down at his cards. “Are we going to play poker or not?”
Sharon and Hannah slipped from the room, their heads bent in whispering, and he knew they were planning the meal that had not even been scheduled yet. Kyle grinned until Colm pinned his gaze at his second son.