“Next on my list, brother.”
“Good. No time like the present. I’ll gather everyone.”
“Actually, I think Hadley wants to speak to Meli first,” I lie. I don’t know what Hadley wants to do about her twin. We haven’t spoken about the baby or who we should tell, but I know without doubt, I have to be the one to tell Meli first.
“She needs to make it quick, tell her to do it now.”
“Mav, come on, there’s no rush on this. Let the girls work it out, and I’ll give you the go ahead when it’s right.”
I head straight for Meli’s room, but as I get to the door, Hadley comes out of her own room, so I swerve Meli’s and wrap my arms around Hadley, pushing her back inside the bedroom and kissing her. “I was coming to find you,” I growl in her ear, pressing my erection against her.
“I told Mum,” she blurts out, and my erection deflates.
“Okay. How did she take it?”
“Really well, actually.”
I groan before confessing, “Mav knows too.”
“Oh crap, how did he take it?”
I shrug. “Also really well. He wants to tell everyone.”
“I thought he’d be mad.”
“Can we lock ourselves away?” I ask, and she laughs.
“Why are we hiding this from everyone?” We should be holding our heads up and showing everyone how much we love each other.”
“That brings me to my next announcement. How do you feel about being my ol’ lady, officially?”
“Is that one of Mav’s conditions?” Hadley asks.
“He did bring it up, but I was going to ask anyway. It was on my list.”
She wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me. “Um, what else is on your list of things to do?”
HADLEY
I stare at my flushed reflection in the mirror and smile to myself. I don’t remember the last time I felt so happy. “I’ll go grab us some food,” shouts Grim from the bedroom.
“Wait,” I say, running my fingers through my wavy hair, “I’ll come too. I don’t know what I want.”
“This kid is making you fussy already,” he complains.
I go into the bedroom. “It’s making me greedy,” I say, and he rubs a hand over my stomach.
“You’re gorgeous,” he whispers, kissing me on the head.
Downstairs, the bar is busy with brothers. “What’s the occasion?” I ask Grim, and he shrugs, going off into the kitchen.
Mav takes my hand and kisses me on the cheek. “Congratulations, little sis,” he says, smiling.
“Thank you. What’s going on here tonight?”
“I wanted to announce the news, but Grim said to wait because you want to tell Meli.”
I frown. “We haven’t spoken about it, but seeing as it’s out now, I don’t mind you making an announcement.”
“Are you sure, cos Meli is drinking and you know what she’s like for drama.”
I grin, watching my sister and Rosey knocking back shots and giggling. “Hopefully, she’ll be happy for me.”
“Get Grim. I’ll make this lot shut the hell up.”
I go into the kitchen and grab Grim by the hand. “Come, I want to show you something,” I say.
The bar is silent when we return, and I lead Grim to the front where Mav is. “What’s going on?” he whispers, and I wink. It makes a change for me to surprise him.
“I want to share two things tonight,” Mav begins, “and I thought I’d do it quickly because we all know how Grim is when it comes to this sort of thing. Most of us had bets on him being the only bachelor to get to pension age without settling down, but it seems my little sister has the magic touch.”
“Or a magic pu—” shouts Ghost.
Mav cuts him off. “Less of that talk, thanks. Grim’s finally settling down, and I’m honoured it’s with my sister, Hadley.”
Meli has stood up and she’s staring wide-eyed between me and Grim. I frown. It’s not like she didn’t know we’re together, so why does she look so upset? “And he’s taking a step further by making her his ol’ lady,” continues Mav. There’s a few cheers and whistles, but Mav quietens them down again. “I haven’t finished.”
“Maybe that’s enough big announcements for one day,” whispers Grim uncomfortably.
I take his hand. “Let’s go with it,” I reply.
“It’s not a good idea,” he begins.
“Grim and Hadley are having a baby,” says Mav. The noise from the brothers is almost deafening as they jump around, congratulating us. I’m swept up in the arms of different brothers, and when I look around for Grim, I spot him talking to Meli. She’s upset, I can see it on her face, and I can’t help but feel annoyed. I know she’s been through some shit, but she can still be happy for me. I try to head to them, but Rylee hugs me, dragging my attention away from the pair.
GRIM
“Let’s go talk,” I mutter.
“There’s not much left to say,” whispers Meli, but it’s obvious she’s upset.
“I didn’t know they were gonna tell everyone like this. I asked Mav to wait because I wanted to tell you first.”
“Good of you,” she mutters. Rosey shoves between us, looking angrily at me.
“You’ve got bloody nerve,” she snaps. “If you weren’t the VP, I’d slit your fucking throat.”
“Well, I am the VP, so watch your mouth,” I hiss. “Meli, please, let’s talk.”
“I don’t want to talk to you, Grim. Leave me alone.”
Hadley comes over, and I groan. She catches it and glares at me. “Sorry, am I interrupting?”
“Why did you let Mav do that tonight?” I snap. “I asked him to wait.”
“I told him it was fine.”
“Clearly, it isn’t,” says Rosey, smirking.
“Meli, I’m sorry you’re upset, but I can’t put my life on hold in case you don’t approve,” says Hadley.
Meli glares at me, arching her brow, urging me to speak up for her. “Hads, go easy,” I mutter. “She’s been through a lot.”
“I know that,” says Hadley, looking offended. “And I’m sorry you lost your baby, but I couldn’t keep this a secret forever. It would hurt just as much six months down the line. I can’t change it.”
“Fuck this circus,” I mutter. “Let’s just go to bed.”
Hadley frowns. “No, we’re celebrating.”
“I don’t feel like celebrating anymore,” I snap.
“Me either,” mutters Meli, and she storms off towards the stairs.
I sigh. “I’m going to bed.” I head off in the same direction, and once I get to the stairs, I take two at a time to catch Meli. She’s about to go into her room, and I push my way in despite her protests. “I’m sorry, Amelia. Truly sorry.”
“You’re trying to ease your own conscience. Go away.”
“Maybe I am, because I feel like a complete prick, but Hads falling pregnant was an accident.”