I swore I’d never lose that friendship. We’d been through so many things together. From girls who broke our hearts, to losing his daughter, to me getting my girlfriend knocked up and then her taking off and leaving me and my boys behind. Mace losing his daddy and me… almost killing mine. We were tight. That was until I went and did the unmentionable and messed around with his little sister.

Things were strained. Beyond tense, Mace and I weren’t on speaking terms and it was clear where Trip stood on the matter. Ma though, she just looked at me with those sad eyes every time I saw her, now. It killed me not knowing what was going through her head. She’d been a surrogate mother to me for as long as I’d known her sons.

“I get that you’re hurt, Mace, but stop and look at the situation for a minute. There’s a lot more to it that isn’t for me to talk about, but you know me. You’ve known me since I was a kid, dude, and I’m still the same fucking person.” I was as sincere as I could be, but I wasn’t about to get into feelings, because unlike Trip, Mace didn’t work like that. He was all about unspoken truths and quiet respect. “I wasn’t looking to fuck shit up and you know that’s true.”

“I thought I did know you, but you fucked that up the minute you set eyes on Haven. You always knew she was off limits, Jude. You were supposed to protect her from assholes like us.” He uncrossed his arms and turned his back to me, then began walking toward the house.

I opened my mouth to speak again because I sure as hell wasn’t letting this go when Mace stopped at the bottom step and said sternly over his shoulder. “You come in, but you still stay the fuck away from me. I miss the boys and if it wasn’t for them, I would have beat you so badly you wouldn’t be moving.” I considered reminding him I could give as good as I got, but thought it best not to push too far.

“Jude, honey!” Marcy cried out, rushing toward me with her arms out, dishtowel in one hand.

“Hey, Ma,” I replied, bringing her in for a big bear hug. She was short and seemed sweet, but if you got on the wrong side of her, Lord have mercy on your soul. I’d once witnessed Trip back talk her when he was a teenager, and by God, I don’t know how he managed to walk for the next week. She served him the spanking he deserved and he never once did it again.

“I missed you and the boys last month.” She pulled back searching my face and frowned at me. “Is everything okay, boy?” Marcy was quick to pick up anything that was awash. Luckily for me, Haven took that moment to walk in the door. I squeezed my eyes shut and blinked a few more times.

Fuck me. She brought him.

Right behind Haven in her peach-colored sundress was none other the douchebag McFuckstick. He said hello and tipped his hat, charming the pants off everybody with the exception of me. I hated him. I hated him not for who he was, but for being with Haven. He could have been the nicest guy in the world and I’d still hate him with a fiery vengeance.

I quietly slipped out of the room behind everyone who’d gathered to see the new guy and made a beeline for the beer. Too bad there wasn’t anything stronger.

“Boys, slow down!” I hollered at Jaxson and Jordan who were running around the outside of the pool with water pistols.

“Yes, Dad,” they called back in unison. I turned back to Trip who had baby Javerio on his hip, throwing a tantrum of epic proportions. Trip looked completely frustrated at not being able to settle him, his eyes searching around for Teeny.

“Here, pass him over,” I suggested, holding out my arms. “He’s definitely got a set of lungs on him.” I laughed, taking the little chubby critter from him and putting my beer down on the table beside us.

“He’s teething and no matter what I do, he just keeps screaming,” Trip grumbled, his forehead creased in defeat. “Teeny’s exhausted from him being up at night and I can’t fix it.”

“I know how it is. The boys were sometimes the same. The amount of times I called your mom because they didn’t want me was sad. Sometimes, Dad just doesn’t cut it.” I laid Javerio against my chest so he could hear my heartbeat and rocked back and forth. Within seconds, he stopped crying and jammed his little fat fist into his mouth. “Go, find your wife. I’ve got him.” Trip’s face lost all signs of worry and his shoulders relaxed.

“I owe you. Thanks, bud.” He grabbed a cold beer and wandered off to find Teeny while I rocked back and forth with the cute little boy in my arms. I had to admit, I missed the twins being this small. I flicked my eyes over to the pool to check on them and then went on my mission to find Javerio’s diaper bag.

Wandering through the family room, I spotted that black studded bag with all sorts of rattles hanging from the straps. Javi decided that moment was perfect to let me know he wasn’t having what I was offering any more. His hands no longer a sufficient pacifier.

“Hold tight, little man. Food’s comin’,” I cooed at him while grabbing his bottle and heading toward the kitchen. Twenty-five seconds was a long time when you had an infant screaming bloody-murder over a meal.

“Almost done, bud. Shh-shh, I got you.” I continued to bounce him in my arms while watching the numbers drop on the microwave.

“Always demanding like his daddy,” Scarlett said from behind me. I turned my head and nodded at her.

“The boys in that family always have been,” I retorted. Scarlett moved in and held her arms up taking the fussy little infant, laying a kiss on his forehead.