Brick Brick (Knights Corruption MC - Next Generation, #4) - S. Nelson Page 0,145

sleepless nights, the diapers, and how much of a cock blocker he was.” I laughed when Sully frowned.

“Preach, brother,” Ryder grunted, already looking like he needed to turn in for the night, and the sun had barely dipped behind the horizon.

Braylen stifled a small yawn, then kissed the top of her son’s head, pulling a fork from his hand when he managed to steal one from the table. Her eyes landed on us, then the couple next to us. “Congrats to you both. I bet you’re so happy they’re getting married.”

“Thrilled,” Stone deadpanned. “Especially since I’m the one who’s gotta pay for the damn thing.”

“Like you’re hurtin’ for money,” I reminded him. Because of wise financial decisions made a long time ago, none of us had to worry about money.

“Still.”

“Oh, stop it.” Addy leaned forward, her husband grunting when she moved the wrong way.

“You wanna break it? Damn, woman.”

“Oh, shush.” Her attention snapped back to Braylen. “And congrats to you both. A grandbaby. Now, that’s exciting.”

“Brick already told me he hopes it’s a boy. Said he doesn’t think he can handle a girl.” She chuckled, passing Silas to his father. She reached her hand toward Stone for the unopened bottle in front of him, popping the top and taking several sips.

“I hope it’s a girl.” Ryder bounced his son on his knee. “That’s what he deserves for gettin’ Zoe pregnant.” There wasn’t a hint of amusement in his tone, his eyes on Silas, but when he looked up and saw us all staring at him, including his wife, he looked confused. “What?”

“You’re not happy?” Stone asked.

“Would you be?” He threw the question right back at him.

“Point taken.”

“Roman.” Braylen used his given name for emphasis, looking at him with disappointment.

“Fine. I’m not upset. It’s just a lot to swallow. I know she’s grown and is old enough, and Brick does love her like crazy.” He sighed. “She’s been through a lot and she’s finally starting to get back to a form of her old self.” His eyes swung to his wife. “I don’t want her to get overwhelmed, that’s all.”

The things Zoe endured last year were horrific, and I completely understood Ryder’s concern, but I had no doubt Brick would be by her side, going overboard to ensure she was handling everything okay. She was in good hands with that guy.

None of us said anything in response, allowing a moment to pass in acknowledgment that we understood his worry.

The silence didn’t last, however, Hawke making a grand entrance, shouting his apologies for being late. After strolling up to us, he kissed Braylen’s cheek and slapped Ryder on the back, stealing Silas from him before he could protest.

“Happy birthday, little guy.” It was funny to watch grown men act all soft whenever a baby was present. When Silas started to fuss, the nomad handed him right back to his dad. “And that’s why I don’t have any. They’re cute, but too much work.” He laughed, swiping up an unopened beer from the cooler beside Stone. “What’d I miss?”

“A lot.” I filled him in on the engagement announcement and baby news.

He looked around. “Where’s my brother?”

“In the house, I think.” At that exact moment, Tripp walked outside, making himself a plate before walking over, but because I was still hungry, I snatched it from him as soon as he got close. “Thanks.”

He shot me an annoyed look, turning toward Hawke instead of giving me shit for stealing his food. “Thought you were going to Florida.”

“Not ’til tomorrow afternoon.”

There was a brief time when I thought Hawke was gonna stick around, possibly give up his nomad patch like Tripp had done all those years ago, but Edana didn’t want to come back here. In fact, she told him she was moving to Florida to help her sister out with her kids. He didn’t want to move there, so he spent his time between our different charters, trekking to the Sunshine State as often as he could. But I didn’t see that plan working out too long and expected to get a call from him soon about relocating to be with his woman on a more permanent basis. The good thing was, however, that Hawke had fully recovered, a miracle we were all thankfully for. We almost lost him, and for as heartbroken as Tripp had been during those first days when we weren’t sure if the nomad was gonna pull through, he unfortunately knew exactly what his younger brother went through years back when