Page 107 of Christmas with Brother's Best Friends

Before my arms can give out, Josh and Max sweep me up, and all three of them take me to the closest bathroom. All I have to do is lean against them, letting them take care of me and clean me as we come down from the high.

As incredible as the sex is, moments like these when they’re tending to me and fawning over me afterward are some of the best. I feel safe and loved and cherished, and I never felt this way before.

Not until them. Not until our worlds collided in a way that we never saw coming.

They’re the best surprise that I ever could’ve received.

After we all get cleaned up, I find myself nestled under the soft sheets on Josh’s king-sized bed. It’s a tight fit with the four of us, but with Max and Ryan on either side of me and Josh lying between my legs with his head on my stomach, it feels perfect.

Josh gently kisses my stomach. “Can’t wait to meet you.”

My heart skips as I listen to him to speak to the baby, pure joy blooming in my chest. I want every night to end like this. All of us together, looking forward to the future that’s in store.

“I love you,” I say, smiling when I hear a small chorus of “I love you too” back.

This is a life worth fighting for. From now until the very end.

Chapter forty-eight

Chapter Forty-Eight: Josh

“Let’s go! Get out of the way!”

Andrew grimaces as I rapidly change lanes, his hand immediately reaching for the grab handle above him. “If you drive any crazier, we’re going to end up in the hospital! And not in the way we’re trying to!”

“I’m turning a blind eye to all the traffic laws you might break on the way there,” Ethan speaks up from the backseat, our golf gear clattering around next to him and in the trunk.

My heart damn near pounds out of my chest as I press down on the gas pedal, hurrying through traffic to get to the hospital as soon as I possibly can. We have a baby on the way!

“I can’t believe she’s already going into labor,” I tell them as my eyes dart to the phone, making sure that Max isn’t calling me with another unexpected update.

I thought I was totally safe to go golfing with Max and Ryan a little way out of town today. Emma isn’t even due for another few days, but our baby has decided to come into the world a little early.

And quickly.

I hopped in the car as soon as Max called me to let me know that Emma’s water broke, and judging from all the updates that we’ve gotten so far, Emma will be ready to push in under an hour. I need to hurry up and get there!

If I miss the birth of my child because ofgolfof all things, I’ll never forgive myself.

“I don’t even like golf,” I mutter under my breath.

“You had fun. Don’t lie,” Ethan says with a click of his tongue. “How were we supposed to know that she would go into labor?”

“It happens all the time,” Andrew replies, earning a glare from me. He’s the one who pushed me to go today. “We’ll make it there in time.”

I’ll make sure of that.

I change lanes again, overtaking slower traffic and making Andrew reach for the handle again.

What if something goes wrong? What if she needs me?

“She’ll be okay,” Andrew says, like he can read my thoughts.

“I need her to be,” I reply as I briefly glance over at him.

Throughout these past months, we’ve worked to repair our brotherhood. Honestly, I think it’s stronger than ever before because the five of us share a big thing in common: our care for Emma. We love her differently than they do, but we all want her to be safe and happy.

I’m glad they’re with me for this because I’m on the verge of panic.