Suddenly, Declan and Callie appear from the kitchen. She exchanges a look with Sean before she nods.
“Come here, Decky.” Sean beckons our brother over with a curl of his index finger. “I need to tell you something.”
Declan starts toward us. Naturally, he’s dressed in a suit even though it’s Saturday. “Who fucked up what, Sean? Fire them. You’re too soft on our employees. I don’t care who it is. If they’re not pulling their weight, fire them.”
“It’s me,” Callie says softly. “I’m going to need some time off during one of our busiest campaigns, Declan.”
My heart lurches in my chest because as she says the words, her hands fall to her flat belly.
“Why?” Declan glances at her before he looks back to Sean. “Is something wrong? Tell me what’s wrong.”
“I think everything is right.” I smile. “I think they’re trying to tell us that everything is perfect.”
Confused, he searches my face before he steps closer to Sean. “What am I missing here? What has Ava figured out that I haven’t?”
Sean curls his hands around Declan’s neck and stares at our older brother’s face. “I’m going to be a dad, Decky. Callie and I are having a baby.”
“No shit? Declan asks through a laugh. “This is fucking fantastic.”
They embrace, and before I know what’s happening, they pull me in between them.
We hug as Callie rushes toward us to get in on it.
Sean scoops a hand around her waist, tugging her closer. “It’s early, but we wanted to share. I’ll fill mom and dad in when they get back from Florida. The guys know, but I wanted to tell you two when we had a second alone together.”
If Declan’s hurt by the fact that Sean told his friends first, he’s not showing it. I would have been surprised if Sean had shared that news with us before he confided in Graham, Kavan, and Harry. His friends are as much a part of his family as Declan and I are.
“Congratulations.” Declan hugs Callie before dropping his gaze to her stomach. “This is the best news I’ve heard in a long time.”
I take a small step back and gaze at my family. I haven’t felt this much at home in years, but when I glance at the table, a small pit forms in my stomach because I have little doubt that Harrison Keene is on his way here.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Harrison
I should have known Sean would go all out after Roxy asked if he’d cook for her. We walk into his apartment to at least six or seven voices, all talking over each other.
I spot Declan standing next to Kavan. Graham is cradling his daughter, Sela, in his arms, and next to the table, Callie is engrossed in a conversation with Juliet and Graham’s wife, Trina.
Sean is headed straight for us with something green in his hand.
Roxy lets out a squeal when she sees what it is.
Fuck Sean for always knowing how to score points with everyone.
“This is Miss Greenface,” he tells Roxy as he drops a stuffed gecko in her arms. “You can sit her outside Greeny’s house, but don’t let her inside. He’ll tear her apart.”
Roxy’s head falls back in laughter. “He’s going to be so happy, Sean. Thank you.”
She moves to embrace him, and he’s all in, dropping to a knee to gather her into his arms.
“You’re taller, aren’t you?” he teases her. “You seem taller to me.”
“I’m always taller than the last time you saw me.” She plants a kiss on the stuffed gecko’s head. “You’ll never be taller than you are now. Only shorter one day.”
“Way to ruin the mood, Rox.” He shakes his head. “I picked up some of those juice boxes you love. They’re in the kitchen. My sister is in there. She’ll get you all set up with one.”
The knowledge that Ava is in this apartment sets my pulse racing. A sudden rush of desire hits me even though I haven’t laid eyes on her yet.
“What’s her name?” Roxy asks with a tilt of her head as she stuffs the gecko part way into the bib of her overalls, so its head is the only thing sticking out.
“Ava,” he says. “She’s wearing a pink shirt just like you, so you can’t miss her.”
She takes off in a running skip toward the kitchen.
A knock at the door behind me lures my gaze in that direction.
“The gang’s all here,” I remark as I step aside to give Sean access to answer it. “Who else did you invite?”
“You’re welcome,” he quips as he brushes past me.
“I didn’t say thank you,” I point out.
“You will.” He smiles. “Consider this a mini Keene Duran family reunion.”
I close my eyes briefly, hoping to hell that it’s Joslyn on the other side of the door, but that hope is lost as soon as Sean opens it.
With a mop of messy brown hair on his head and his green eyes shining, my brother grins at both of us. “Good evening, gentlemen. Let the fun begin.”
“Who the hell is that?” Ryden glances past me.
Sean taps him on the back of the head. “My sister, you little asshole. Watch it.”
I glance over my shoulder to spot Ava standing next to Roxy.
“That’s your sister?” Ryden laughs. “Where have you been hiding her?”
“Out of your reach.” Sean again swats Ryden, but this time it’s a playful slap on the shoulder. “I thought you preferred brunettes.”
Ryden nods. “You’ve been following my socials, haven’t you?”
“Everyone follows your socials.” Sean chuckles. “Do me a favor and hug your big brother, so I know no punches will be flying tonight.”
Ryden moves next to me to give me a side hug. “I’ve never hit Harrison.”
He’s not lying. We’ve never come to physical blows, but we have said things to each other that we shouldn’t have.
“How are you?” he asks as he looks me over. “You’ve been working out, old man.”
“You’re five years younger than me, sprout.” I smile.
“Sprout?” He chuckles at the nickname one of his friends gave him when he was fourteen. He grew a couple of feet over the course of a summer. We’re eye-to-eye now, but our height is the only thing we have in common, other than our fierce love for our sisters.
“Jos couldn’t make it,” Ryden says to Sean and me. “She said she’s working on something that can’t wait.”
I know what that is. She’s been inspired to add a dessert offering to our meal kits, but I told her it’s too soon to jump into new territory.
Time will tell which one of us will win that battle.
“Go introduce yourself to anyone you don’t know.” Sean pushes Ryden’s shoulder. “Don’t touch my sister.”
Ryden skims a hand over the front of the gray T-shirt he’s wearing. He’s tanned and toned. He looks like the heartthrob he thinks he is.
“I’m on my best behavior.” He pats Sean’s back. “Thanks for inviting me. It feels good to be home.”