what are you up to? Booking your next bed session with someone who hopes it’ll be more than a one-night stand?”
“They all want it to be more, Silas,” Crosby said. “I mean… look at me.” He pointed at me. “You know, it’s too bad we weren’t friends before you started sleeping with my sister. We could have had some fun.”
“The whole rock star and cowboy thing, right?”
“Definitely.”
“Well, you have Cliff, right?”
“Cliff is the toughest guy I ever met,” Crosby said. “But he’s a bit older. Plus, all he wants to do is tell stories. I kind of picture him just sitting around a campfire, talking about mountains, plains, bears and whatever else.”
“Not your style?”
“No. My style is to grab some whiskey, tell some dumb jokes, and let the flirting begin.”
“Your mother must be so proud of you,” I said.
“Damn right she is,” Crosby said. “Plus, with Olivia and Mila having babies now, it takes the pressure off me. So, yeah, thanks for knocking up my sister.”
“Hey, anytime,” I said. “It was my pleasure. Get what I mean?”
“Yeah, okay, that’s enough,” Crosby said. “Don’t make me fight you.”
“It’s only fitting that we fight. I already took on Tyler.”
“I heard he kicked your ass.”
I laughed. “Not even close. I took it easy on him. I didn’t want his face messed up and have Lucy be scared.”
“Damn,” Crosby said. “You really are a decent guy.”
“It’s tragic, right?”
Crosby helped me with the coffees.
And we walked back to see what was going on with Olivia and Tyler’s new baby.
“Any news?” I asked Mila as I traded her a coffee for my son.
Baby Hank was sound asleep.
“There’s been a change in centimeters,” Mila said. “Do you know what that means? That’s when the opening to the uterus-”
“You know, I regret asking,” I said. “You could have just said she’s getting close.”
Mila batted her eyes at me. “Silas, she’s getting close.”
“Perfect.”
“You and Crosby walking together, huh? That feels dangerous to me.”
“Why?”
“You two have that… bad boy vibe.”
“Now you sound just like Crosby,” I said. “He tried to recruit me.”
“Oh?”
“I think my rock star status really scrambles your family’s mind,” I said. “First Anna. Now Crosby.”
“Oh, stop,” Mila laughed. She touched my hand. “Hey. This is hard right now. Thank you for being here.”
“First off, where else would I be?” I asked. “Where else would I want to be? Come on. I’m part of this family now, darling. Nobody is getting rid of me. And second, I know. Your poor mother must be going out of her mind right now.”
“She’s just thrilled to be included in it all,” Mila said. “I’m hoping since she and Olivia get along so well, it’s easing her stress a little. Same for Tyler.”
“Yeah, that’s tough,” I said. “Lucy’s mother wanted nothing to do with your family?”
“It was always complicated,” Mila said. “But Olivia is perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
“Yeah, she’s awesome.”
“She came to town just to visit,” Mila said. “To clear her head after losing her job. Actually, she came to visit Evelyn Rohrick. They’re friends.”
I gasped. “No.”
Mila nodded.
“Olivia is a traitor,” I playfully growled.
“Stop,” Mila said. “She’s amazing. We don’t talk about that part of her life. Anyway… Olivia just came through here and took it all on. Kind of like you.”
“I didn’t take anything on, darling. I just wanted to be here. From a guy who has no family, seeing your family gave me hope. My favorite part of your family, Mila, is just how not perfect you all are. In a good way. Because you accept the flaws. That’s real family.”
“They accept your flaws too, Silas.”
“Whoa. Wait a second. What flaws?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re saying I have flaws? Do you know who I am? I’m a rock star, darling. There are no flaws here.”
“Sure,” Mila said.
“Name one flaw. Just one.”
Mila opened her mouth but never got the chance to speak.
Tyler suddenly appeared.
The rough and tough construction worker… had tears in his eyes.
“It’s a boy,” Tyler said.
The entire waiting area erupted into cheers.
Edith, Thomas, Zeke.
Crosby, Claire, Anna.
Lucy jumped up on a chair and dove into Mila’s arms.
I stood up, watching as baby Hank woke up, startled and angry.
“Tyler,” Zeke said, throwing his hand out. “Congrats. A healthy baby boy.”
“Healthy as can be,” Tyler said. “And Olivia did amazing. She’s just… amazing…”
“When can we see him?” Claire asked.
“I want to see my brother!” Lucy cried out.
She climbed away from Mila and ran to her father.
Tyler scooped up Lucy and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
Even my throat felt a little scratchy and my eyes