“Yeah, this shirt is fucking uncomfortable.” He rolled his shoulders back, expanding his chest with a deep inhalation, and the front of the costume ripped down to his sternum.
Leah gasped.
He blew out a breath. “That’s so much better.”
“Now you really are my Hulk. Let’s go.”
BY THE TIME they arrived at the clubhouse, Trunk or Treat was in full swing. Halloween music competed with the sounds of children making their way around the perimeter of the roped-off parking lot, collecting candy from the decked-out vehicles and taking part in sack races, coloring contests, and other fun activities and adults mingling. A few of the Dark Knights had dressed up as clowns and were making animal balloons for the kids in the grass. As Tank and Leah climbed off Madigan’s Vespa, he spotted Gunner and Steph dressed up as Woody and Jessie from Toy Story and scanned the grounds for the girls.
“Do you see them?” Leah asked.
He took her hand and pointed across the lawn to his parents talking with his grandfather, Preacher, and Reba while watching the girls trying to keep balloons up in the air with a group of kids. His parents and aunt and uncle were dressed up as Fred, Daphne, Shaggy, and Velma from Scooby-Doo, and Grandpa Mike was wearing his Dracula cape. He probably had his fangs in, too. Rosie ran to Grandpa Mike and grabbed his hand, pulling him into the group of kids. He tapped a balloon, and Rosie jumped up and down.
“Oh, Tank. Look how happy they are,” Leah said.
“Dude,” Gunner said loudly as he and Steph headed over. “You’re driving Madigan’s pink Vespa?” He laughed. “Wearing tights? I can’t even…It’s too easy.” He cracked up. “But whoa, Leah. Look at you channeling your inner biker babe. I’m lovin’ it.”
“Thanks.” Leah leaned into Tank’s side the way she did when she was nervous, and he put his arm around her.
“You look incredible,” Steph said. “Whatever you do, don’t ask Gunner what he’s dressed up as.”
“He’s Woody, isn’t he?” Leah asked, and Tank knew what was coming.
“That I am.” Gunner draped an arm around Steph. “You know you love my wood.”
“In your dreams.” Steph shrugged out from under his arm and touched the front of Tank’s shirt. “What happened here? Did Leah get handsy with you?”
He hugged Leah against his side. “Something like that.”
“He’s my Incredible Hulk.” She quickly added, “But don’t tell Rosie.”
As they walked toward the grass, Gunner said, “Rosie and Junie are having a blast. They walked around checking out everyone’s costumes, and the guys made a big deal out of Junie giving them tattoos and Rosie casting spells on them with her wand.”
“Gia raved about Junie’s outfit, and Rosie was thrilled to see Zeke dressed up as Boo.” Steph pointed to Zeke talking with Baz and Evie, dressed up as the Joker and Harley Quinn, and Maverick and Chloe, who were the Mad Hatter and Alice from Alice in Wonderland. “Zeke has great legs, doesn’t he?”
“They’re nothing compared to mine.” Gunner smirked.
“I’ve seen your legs, and you don’t see me writing home about them,” Steph teased.
“Look out, world! Leah Biker Chick Yates is in the house!” Marly shouted from across the field. She and Madigan strutted toward them, whistling and making catcalls. Blaine was right behind them, dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow, checking out Marly’s ass in her red-and-black flamenco dancer costume.
“Ohmygod.” Leah melted into Tank’s side.
“Better get used to it, babe,” Tank said. “You look hot.”
She tipped her beautiful face up. “I love your friends. It’s worth the embarrassment.”
“We’re your friends, too,” Steph said.
“That’s right, babe.” Tank lowered his lips to Leah’s.
“Get a room!” Madigan hollered.
“I think they already did.” Blaine motioned to Tank’s shirt.
“Wait…?” Madigan opened the leather jacket Leah had borrowed from her. “What happened to the lace shirt you were wearing?”
“About that…” Leah wrinkled her nose, her cheeks pinking up.
Tank took Leah’s hand. “I’ll buy you a new one, Mads.”
Madigan burst into laughter. “Oh, Tanky, you are so far gone for our girl.” She patted Tank’s face, and he snarled at her. “I couldn’t be happier for both of you.”
“Good, then tell me you’ll babysit next weekend so I can take my gorgeous girl out on a proper date and wine and dine her.”
“What?” Surprise rose in Leah’s eyes.
He winked, earning one of her radiant smiles.
“Absolutely! We’ll figure out a time. But right now we’re stealing Leah.” Madigan took Leah’s other hand, tugging her away.
“Wait,” Leah said. “I need to check on the girls.”
“I’ve got ’em, babe.” As her fingers slipped from Tank’s, he said, “Go have fun. Love you.”
Happiness glittered in Leah’s eyes. Madigan, Marly, and Steph gave him approving looks as Evie and Chloe joined them, and they all huddled together, giggling as they walked away.
Gunner sidled up to Tank. “Bro, you just said you love her.”
Tank slid a knowing gaze to Blaine, who was nodding supportively, and set a serious stare on Gunner. “I drove here on a pink Vespa, wearing tights and a fucking Peter Pan outfit. That should answer any questions you might have.”
“Actually, it raised more questions,” Gunner teased. “I’m happy for you, man. I was just surprised to hear it, you know? Your heart’s been locked up tighter than a virgin in a chastity belt for so long, I wasn’t sure you’d ever let anyone get close.”
“Life’s short, Gun. You need to live it now, because who the fuck knows what tomorrow will bring.”
He headed over to check on Junie and Rosie with Blaine and Gunner by his side. Baz and their cousins caught up with them, giving each other a hard time. His parents waved, and the girls ran toward him, yelling, “Papa Tank!” As he swept Junie and Rosie into his arms and they rattled on about everything they’d done so far and everything they wanted to do, a future Tank had never imagined bloomed before his eyes. He could see it all so clearly, Leah walking down an aisle, the girls tossing rose petals, more babies, more laughter, more hikes and Halloweens, barbecues and bike rides.
The girls were still rattling on about their candy, their little faces bright as the sun.
“Hey,” he said firmly, and they quieted. “I love you guys.”
“Love you, Papa Tank!” they said in unison, and went right back to talking about their night.
His parents exchanged knowing glances with Reba and Preacher.
His grandfather clapped a hand on his shoulder, baring his Dracula fangs as he said, “How’re you doing, son?”
This was what Tank wanted for Leah and the girls. To be surrounded by so many people who loved them—women to mother them and men to protect them—that there was no beginning or end to their family, so they never felt alone again.