“I knew you were the one,” Mom says with a wink. “I always knew.”

“You’re not mad?” Avery asks, nervousness still in her eyes.

“Jesus, no,” Mom says, reassuring her. “Shocked, yes, but you were a part of this family the moment we met you. Now, you ain’t going anywhere. Hope you know that.” Avery’s lip quivers and then she’s crying. Shaking my head, I laugh as my mom wraps her up in a tight hug.

Holding my mom, Avery grins as she cries. “I don’t want to go anywhere.”

“Oh, you won’t. Don’t you cry. I’m gonna cry.”

I go to break up the crying fest between the two women I love most, but before I can move, Lucy is pulling me into the kitchen. When we are out of sight, she wraps her arms around my middle, holding me tightly. Wrapping my arms around her neck, I kiss the top of her head and she shakes against me.

Pulling back, my eyes wide, I tilt her back to see that she is crying.

Lucy does not cry.

“What the hell? Why are you crying?”

She shakes her head and then smiles. “I’m just so fucking proud of you, Jace, so proud.” I smile as she brings me in tight, kissing my cheek. “You did the right thing—crazy, but the right thing.”

“I did the only thing,” I say into her hair. “I love her, and she will never feel alone again in her life.”

Holding me tightly, Lucy laughs. “And to think, we all thought you were such a spoiled brat. When really, you’ve grown into a good man.”

Grinning, I squeeze her. “When you have three older siblings beating you into a good man, it tends to happen.”

She laughs and then pulls back. “You know they are gonna rip you apart.”

I nod. “I know.”

“But you don’t care?”

“Not even a little bit. All I care about is that girl in there, the one who’s having my baby.”

I’m not kidding.

But I would be lying if I said I wasn’t scared what my brothers will think. I respect them too much not to be worried, but I know they’ll support me.

Well, I hope so at least.

As I head into my old room, I shut the door to block out the sounds of the three women I love cracking up. It’s been a great afternoon, eating, laughing, and them getting to know Avery even more. She fits in perfectly, not that I didn’t expect her to, but it’s great how my mom and sister have welcomed her with open arms. I didn’t think they wouldn’t, or even that they would be upset with me. I knew my mom would freak out, but I knew, no matter what, she would support me. That’s my mom. She does that.

But Jude and Jayden, I’m nervous.

Sitting on my bed, I look around the room that I shared with Jayden my whole life. Somehow Lucy and Jude got their own rooms. I loved sharing with Jayden, so I didn’t mind. He might not have felt the same, but we did it with ease. Two brothers, two best friends. I just hope he doesn’t freak out too much.

Going into our group chat, I type out a quick message.

Me: You two busy?

Jayden: Just got out of practice. What’s up?

Jude: No, what’s up?

I call Jayden first.

“Hey.”

“Hey, hold on, let me call Jude,” I say and he agrees as I add Jude to the call.

“What’s this about?” Jayden asks as it rings, but I don’t answer him.

“Yo. What’s up?” Jude says and I clear my throat.

“Gotta tell you guys something,” I say and Jude laughs.

“You’re gay.”

“Your dick fell off and your vagina is growing in nicely?”

“Oh, that is more like it, huh, Jay? I’m so happy you’re finally a girl, Jacey.”

“Aw, your nickname can become your real name.”

I want to be mad, but these are my brothers.

“Dumbasses, shut up,” I bark and they both laugh.

“Wait, you’re okay?” Jayden asks, his voice filling with concern. “Your leg is good, right?”

“You told me you were good,” Jude says, his voice hard and worried.

“I’m good,” I promise. “It’s not that.”

“What, then?” Jayden asks.

“Avery is pregnant.”

Silence. I’m answered with silence.

“You dumbass. Condoms, Jace, condoms,” Jayden yells.

“Didn’t we tell you this? Wrap it up. Shit,” Jude exclaims and I shake my head.

“I did, dumbasses.”

“Then how?!”

“I’m a beast. My boys made it through latex.”

“That’s not something to be proud of,” Jayden says and I scoff.

“Just sayin’ I’m not dumb. I used the stash in the drawer, but I guess they didn’t work.”

“What? In the first drawer?”

“Yeah,” I say, confused by Jayden’s tone.

“Dude, those are old. I never used them ’cause Jude left them,” Jayden laughs.

“Oh my God, you didn’t throw them away?” Jude laughs. “I didn’t use them either ’cause they were Malkin’s,” he says, speaking of the captain before him.

“You sick bastards, why didn’t you throw them away?” I ask and they both laugh.

“Why didn’t you check the expiration date?” Jayden asks. “Cocky shit, thinking your sperm is strong. Please.”

“Loser,” Jude says and I smile. “But shit, dude, now you’re really stuck. And you can’t leave, ’cause if we thought her dad would ruin you before, he really will now if you leave his daughter pregnant. Jesus, Jace.”

“I’m not leaving her,” I say sternly. “I married her.”

More silence.

“You did what?” Jude roars as Jayden just laughs.

“Jesus, this guy. Bay, Jace married Avery. She’s pregnant.”

When my sister-in-law yelps in surprise, I just shrug. “I love her, guys, and I hope you’ll both support me.”

“Well, duh, dumbass. But shit, you go big, don’t you?” Jayden laughs and I grin.

“Always.”

“Good Lord, information overload over here. Man, are you sure?” Jude asks.

Jayden agrees. “Yeah, really, this is huge.”

“Yeah, I’ve never been so sure about anything in my whole life.”