I snort, still not answering.
“Great. Fucking great,” he murmurs. “I’m too fucking young to die.”
CHAPTER FOUR
When I walk back into the front room, Dad is glowering at Aiden, who is now holding Sunday. It doesn’t take more than a guess to know Aiden ate the rest of the cupcakes Sunday had earlier. The cupcakes Mum made.
The second Dad sees me enter the room, his gaze goes over my shoulder to Reid, who is still mumbling under his breath behind me. Every muscle in his body is tensed.
I inwardly groan as he marches over. “Look, I’m too good looking to go to prison, but I will happily do time if he doesn’t leave you the fuck alone. And my wife’s food.”
“Holy fuck,” I murmur, hoping he doesn’t cause a scene this early into the party.
“Don’t let your mother hear you swear. You know how she gets,” he snaps, moving in closer and toning the volume down.
“She only does it to piss you off,” I admit.
“So…?” he drawls, glancing at the back of Reid’s head.
“So nothing, Dad. He was in the loo. I went to make a phone call and we happened to come downstairs at the same time. But you really should give him a break. You’re more alike than you know.”
He rears back like I’ve punched him, staring at me like he doesn’t know who I am. “Take that back. I’m better looking than that fucker.”
I twist my lips in amusement. “That’s not what Mum said,” I tell him nonchalantly.
“She said what?” he screeches, drawing attention from everyone around us.
“Lily and Jaxon are here,” Charlotte squeals, running through the door, her thick, fiery red hair flowing behind her. “She looks so happy.”
“This isn’t over,” Dad hisses, making my grin spread wider. “Now, where is that mother of yours.”
Lily and Jaxon step through to the living area and cheers echo around the room. Lily jumps, reaching for Jaxon, before she realises what’s going on, her mouth gaping open at the huge ‘Congratulations’ banner hanging above the large archway.
Uncle Maverick is the first one to reach her, lifting her up and swinging her around. “I’ve missed you, princess.”
“I’ve missed you too, Dad,” she murmurs, choked up.
He gently places her back down on the floor, leaning back to get a good look at her. “Hey, I thought you had a good time.”
Tears brim the corners of her eyes, yet her smile is blinding. “I’ve just missed you all like crazy.”
Her mum, Teagan, hugs her. “We Facetimed every day.”
“It wasn’t the same,” Lily explains, ducking her head. “But we had such an amazing time, Mum. It was magical.”
Resting her hand on her daughter’s cheek, Teagan gives her a gentle smile. “I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
Lily nods, a pink flush rising in her cheeks as she cuddles back up to her husband, who happily wraps his arm around her as he chats with his brothers.
Charlotte steps up next, while I wait, not wanting to crowd her. “You look amazing. So radiant. Are you pregnant? I mean, it could happen. You’ve been married a while now and have probably been going at it like rabbits. I can’t wait. I’m seeing someone. I think it could be serious,” she rambles, and the tension in the room expands.
There’s not a male Carter in the room not tense right now.
Myles opens his mouth to argue, but the women in the room look expectedly at him, warning him with their glares to shut up. He sighs, glancing at the floor, knowing he can’t argue. He can’t make the same mistake Maverick did when it came to Jaxon. They promised they’d never overreact again.
Reid steps up beside me. “I’m a little concerned for my brother’s safety, but right now, I’m more concerned for the fucker crazy enough to take on Charlotte Carter.”
“And what’s wrong with Charlotte?” I grit out, my hand clenching into a fist.
He raises his eyebrows. “What’s right with her would have been easier to answer. She’s batshit looney. She’s hot, don’t get me wrong,” he rambles, so lost in being an arsehole he doesn’t notice me stepping forward until my fist meets his stomach.
“Any fucker would be lucky as hell to be with her.”
“Okay, okay,” he wheezes.
“She’s got time to have babies,” Maverick comments, not looking happy about Charlotte revealing personal details about the couple.
Charlotte shrugs. “I can’t wait. I love babies.”
“Yes, but you’re happy to wait, right, baby?”
Aunt Kayla glares at her husband. “I’m happy to have grandkids running around when she’s ready.”
“Yeah, but not yet, right?” Myles wheezes, questioning Charlotte.
“Not yet. We’re going on our first official date tomorrow. I need to get waxed and have my nails done.”
“What?” Myles and Dad yell, causing everyone in the room to startle.
“Baby, you don’t need to do anything like that,” Myles warns her, looking so pale I’m worried he’s going to faint.
Mum and Harlow are laughing, leaning against each other as Aunt Denny tries to smother hers but fails.
“Baby, I need to sit down. I do. I need to sit down,” Dad tells Mum shakily. “She’s going to be in so much pain,” he whispers, and I gape at his overreaction.
He’s put it on in the past, but never like this. He looks truly distraught.
“Dad, what would you know about the torture of waxing?”
Both Mum and Kayla bring their men a chair and Dad sits down, gulping. “I can’t talk about it.”
Uncle Myles nods in agreement, staring down at the floor. “I can still feel it.”
“Me too, brother. Me too. And the smell... I still smell it.”
Myles whimpers. “Our girls.”
“The pain.”
“Oh, stop being babies,” Harlow snaps.
Dad glares, pointing his finger at her. “I nearly died!”
“I was traumatised,” Uncle Myles cries out. “She can’t do it. I’m not having my baby go through that.”
Charlotte takes a step back, her eyes wide. “Sheesh, I can use a razor.”
Dad’s watery eyes meet mine. “And no babies. Or dating. Or waxing.”
I roll my eyes. “Not all of us are wimps, Dad.”
“Nobody cares that I suffered a traumatic experience that day. Laugh it up. One day it could be you,” he warns, glaring at Maverick and Mason, who are also laughing.
My uncle Malik, as always, stands stoic, listening to Maddison as she talks to her mum.
“I’m lost. Did you get waxed? Like, on purpose?” Liam asks, watching Dad with disgust.
“Son, don’t make me smack you. No one willingly gets waxed,” he grits out, glaring at the mums.
Walking over to Lily, I lean in and give her a kiss on the cheek. “You look absolutely stunning, Lil. Marriage looks good on you.”
“Thank you.” She beams before looking adoringly up at her husband with so much love it hurts to witness.