teeth, to stifle the smile that’s itching to spread across my face, I watch anxiously as he pops the lid off, frowning at the contents inside the box. He picks up the handwritten note, his eyes widening.
“This is my birthday gift?” he asks the question warily, like he honestly can’t believe we’d give this to him as a gift.
I laugh. “At least try to look a little more excited.”
“I mean, I’m happy for you guys, but I think you could’ve just asked me this over dinner last night and that would’ve sufficed.”
“Fine.” I blow out a dramatic sigh, taking the box from him. “I’ll just find someone else to be our daughter’s godfather.”
“Ah, ah, ah!” He reaches back out for the box, taking it from me. “I never said I wouldn’t accept.”
I smirk. “You’re going to be an uncle and a godfather. Pretty exciting, right?”
Ryder rolls his eyes, indulging me. “Oh, yeah. Can’t imagine anything more exciting for a seventeen-year-old.”
“Well, hang on now. We’re not done. There’s one more thing your brother has for you.” I grin. Glancing back over my shoulder, I search Roman’s gaze. He’s hiding a smile of his own and jerks his chin toward the front door.
“C’mon.”
I follow the guys out of our new house, and I hear Ryder’s choked breath, the second he steps out onto the porch. There, in the driveway, next to Roman’s pride and joy, is the ’69 SS Camaro he’s been refurbishing back at the automotive garage for Ryder for the last few years. It’s almost identical to his in color, but the car itself is a different brand and model.
About two years ago, Roman and I made the decision to sell our houses and find something big enough for all of us. We didn’t really see the point in having sleepovers anymore. I spent most of my time at his place with Ryder, anyway, so it made the most sense to get our own place together. Our new place is a four bedroom and only two and half blocks away from our old neighborhood. It’s the perfect little place for all of us. I fell in love with it the second I saw it and knew it had to be ours.
“No fucking way,” Ryder whispers, running toward the car, his hand flying to his head. His eyes are wide, surprise written all over his face. I curl into Roman’s side, glancing up at him. Happiness radiates from him these days, just like it is right now. The way he’s looking at Ryder brings tears to my eyes.
“How do you like her?”
“I think I might cry,” Ryder admits.
“It’s the baby news that did you in, isn’t it?” I joke, making them both laugh. Ryder turns back toward the car, admiring her, practically fangirling. At the mention of the baby, Roman’s hand slides around my waist and rests on my stomach. His hand is so big it spans most of my stomach. I’m not showing yet, seeing as I’m only fourteen weeks, but the way Roman’s been coveting this child already, nothing else could ever bring me this level of happiness.
Settling my hand over his warm one, I squeeze. “I think you just won the award for best brother.”
“Think so?”
“I know so. Ryder is a lucky kid.” I turn in his arms, cupping his strong jaw in my hand. “He could’ve had a brother who didn’t love him half as much as you love him. But he doesn’t. He has you.”
Roman’s eyes soften, as he stares down at me. The blue looks lighter than usual, almost white, just like Max’s.
“Can I take it out for a drive?” Ryder asks, dragging our attention back to him.
I blow out a sigh. “Yes. But you have to be home by dinner. And no girls in the car!”
Roman tosses Ryder the keys, and he catches them effortlessly, jumping in. He runs his hand over the dash, before he starts her up. The smile that spreads across his face, as the muscle car roars to life, has me choking up.
Jesus. These hormones are not a joke.
Ry waves at us, as he pulls out of the driveway, and Max barks at the car, as it roars down our quiet street. I get a pang in my chest, just thinking about the moment he graduates. Having Ryder gone while he’s off at college is going to be tough. As if sensing where my thoughts are headed, Roman presses a kiss to the side of my head.
“C’mon, let’s head inside.