oh my God, I think I’m having a panic attack,” Archer said, clutching at his chest.
Lee just snorted, giving Jacob a fist bump.
Colton winced. “Twins. That’s a lot,” he said. “I mean, I’m really excited for you,” Paige’s boyfriend added. “Kids sound like a big deal. I should probably just shut up if I’m sitting here with my girlfriend’s brothers and friends, as I’m kind of freaking myself out over the fact that you’re having twins.”
“No, I’m freaking out with you,” Jacob said. “Welcome to my freak-out party. Annabelle is all about lists, and I’m pretty sure she and Paige have a planner set for each baby at this point. Each baby. I didn’t know that existed in plural until just now.”
I went up to him and hugged him hard, slapping him on the back. “I’m damn proud of you. Well, that’s a really weird thing to say about my brother-in-law. So, how about…don’t worry about anything. Your babies will have tons of aunts and uncles. They’ll never want for anything.”
Jacob swallowed hard. “I’m just really glad that my mom knows. She was the first person we told,” he said, his throat working as he swallowed hard. “Enough of that, because if I keep going, I’m going to cry like a baby. And, apparently, we already have enough babies. And we’re at a gym. We’re supposed to be all manly and growly and full of sweat.”
“That’s a lovely image,” Lee said, shaking his head. “And I’m so sorry that my sweet Annabelle didn’t wait for me like I asked. I understand. If she must go to someone, I suppose it’s okay that it’s you.”
“You really do like walking on that tightrope, don’t you?” Benjamin asked softly before hugging Jacob hard. “You’re going to be a good father. Annabelle’s going to be a great mother. And we are all going to figure out how to be aunts and uncles together. Thankfully, we have two of them, that way, we can share the attention equally rather than putting it all on one sad and unsuspecting child. There are a lot of us Montgomerys. We could scare the poor thing,” Benjamin teased.
“I’m glad that I could give you a two-for-one deal.” Jacob shook his head as he studied the room. “I’m really not into this.”
I laughed. “You mean working out or having a baby? Because I’m pretty sure you are kind of on the path for one of those things already.”
Jacob’s cheeks reddened. “I meant working out. I drove all the way here, but I’m afraid if I sit here, I’ll end up dropping a weight on my foot or falling off the treadmill while doing cardio or something.”
“You should be doing leg day,” Archer added again as Marc squeezed him to his side.
“Behave,” Marc chided, and Archer rolled his eyes.
“How about we go get a beer?” Benjamin asked, grinning.
Jacob nodded, swallowing hard. “Yeah. A beer. Annabelle’s off with the girls—I’m sure all of them, and her mother. I think they’ve tried to get my mom to come out with them, but she had a tough day today,” he said quickly, gliding over the words. I knew he didn’t want any of us asking why—and we wouldn’t.
We all knew Jacob’s mother, adored her, and knew that her prognosis was getting worse. We weren’t going to talk about it. Today would be a good day. A good day because my little sister was having twins. Jesus Christ, it felt like just yesterday that I was watching my mom put pigtails in her hair.
I shook my head. “Let’s get that beer.”
“Riggs’?” Jacob asked.
I nodded. “Where else?”
“Too bad Clay’s not going,” Lee said.
Colton snorted. “Did Riggs and Clay ever date?” he asked.
I held up my hands. “Since he works for me, I’m not going to ask. Clay doesn’t mind the flirting, and I’m pretty sure he flirts back. I’m going to stop talking about it.”
Everybody laughed, and we headed to get ready. Our workout had been cut short, but for the best reasons. We’d head to Riggs’, get a drink, and then I’d go home—and not sleep. My chest ached, and I rubbed it as I headed to my car. Had I worked out too hard? I didn’t think so. I didn’t know, but everything was tight, and I felt like I had pins and needles across my skin.
I was probably just losing my mind.
I drove towards Riggs’, the drive not too far, thankfully, and pulled in beside Benjamin. I was the last to arrive. I