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I go back to the bathroom for my brush, freeing my hair from my quick-dry hair towel and then making quick work of detangling a couple of snarls. “I’ll be ready to go down in a minute, don’t feel like you have to wait for me.”

Why on earth did I say that? Wouldn’t it be weird if we went down at different times? Oh no, it would look like we showered together if we went down at the same time. Right?

My brain is practically tripping over itself trying to analyze the different ways for us to go downstairs and I find myself cringing over the ridiculousness of these thoughts. Thankfully, Tommy walks in, effectively derailing that train of thought because he steps up behind me with his arms around my stomach and kisses my cheek.

Watching our reflection, this looks like home.

Chapter 52: Tommy

Four bowls of popcorn, two plates of cookies, and a variety of veggies are on the coffee table. All nine of us watch some competition show that didn’t seem to garner any boos when we were voting.

Sam is tucked into my side with our shared bowl of snacks on my lap and my arm around her. Courtney’s in the middle of the couch next to Sam with Avery and Jackson on her other side. Actually, Avery is on Jackson’s lap. He saw that there wasn’t space for him to fit next to her, so he simply picked her up and sat down with her on top.

I steal a glance over Sam’s head at my oldest brother with one of my best friends curled up on him. They finally figured things out after all these years of silently pining for each other. About damn time. I think about how long I was with the wrong person and how long it took me to really heal from that relationship. Getting over Maisy was the easiest part. It just took me a lot longer to trust someone enough to not fuck me over again. I suppose it was good I thought Sam and Jax dated…it gave me time to get to know her a little while I figured myself out.

Everything feels good right now. No one is out of place and nothing is awkward with this many people gathered. Taking in the full scene around me, my eyes catch on what appears to be fairly fresh ink sticking out of Bryant’s tank top.

“You got another one?” I ask, drawing everyone’s attention first to me and then to Bryant who just looks back at me with one eyebrow raised.

“What’d you get this time?” Caleb calls out from his spot on a cushion in front of Matt’s chair, even though there are two other recliners available and a smaller couch.

Bryant’s gaze drifts to Caleb and instead of a grunt or a monosyllabic response, he leans forward, pulls off his shirt.

Courtney is the first to speak, squealing out, “No shit!”

She’s already walking up to him to examine the designs up close. I swear she doesn’t have boundaries when it comes to looking at tattoos or piercings. The rest of us just take in the swirling lines across his chest.

“None of you knew he got that huge tattoo?” Sam whispers to me while everyone else weighs in.

I shake my head. “He got his first not long after our dad died and every now and then, we notice a new one, but it’s always a mystery.”

“Oh,” she says just as Courtney plunks back down.

Oh, is about right. Our big, burly brother continues to be a mystery at times.

“How many hours did this one take?” Caleb asks.

“Six.” Bryant’s voice is matter of fact.

“When were you gone for six hours?” Chuck asks, his beer halfway to his mouth.

Bryant only shrugs his shirt over his head and turns the volume up on the show, effectively ending the Q and A session.

“He really is this quiet most of the time, isn’t he?” Sam asks, still whispering.

“He definitely is.” I give her a quick kiss since her lips are so close to mine. “He’s very capable of having conversations, but he typically chooses to be as succinct as possible with his words.”

“Court, put the phone away.” Avery tiredly swats at Courtney’s device. “You don’t need to look up tattoo designs right now, we can talk to your artist soon.”

“Fine,” she replies, glaring a little at Avery without any heat behind it.

“Sam, you should come, too,” Avery says.

“Oh please come with, I’m always indecisive and Avery just pulls out more designs to add to the pile.” Courtney’s genuine enthusiasm makes me smile.

“Is it okay that I don’t have any tattoos?” Sam asks.

“There are no qualifications needed besides being a friend,” Avery says, reaching across Court to touch Sam’s arm. “And also making sure Courtney doesn’t get something she’s going to regret right after it heals.”