Page 39 of Protecting Lainey (Broterhood Alliance #7)

Lainey woke the next morning to the soft glow of the morning sun peeking through the curtains. She glanced at her clock. One hour. Enough time to shower, get dressed, pack Luke’s lunch, and get him to school.

She stretched, a slow smile spreading across her face, still feeling the delicious ache between her legs. Finn had been gentle, strong, and perfect. Her first lover. And if everything was good with Luke—her last.

She hadn’t planned on falling back in love. Hadn’t planned for Finn to find out he was a father or for Luke to meet the man who shared his eyes, his hair and that unmistakable dimple.

Funny how things turn out. Still, she didn’t kid herself. Relationships were messy. Complicated. All tangled up in love and fear and second chances.

Gah. It was time to get ready for the day.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed and padded to the bathroom, already mentally going through her day.

Lunch with the girls at the Red Rooster Diner.

Then over to the site. She received an email late last night to meet a couple of council members there later in the afternoon.

Finn offered to come with her, but this was her project. Her responsibility.

She suggested he pick up Luke and spend some quality time with their son. He was thrilled.

Their son. It still didn’t feel real. Not in a bad way, just different.

She was sure Luke would be okay with it, but she’d still pass it by him when he got up and also notify the school if he said yes.

Win-win. Finn would get quality time with Luke, and she’d get a chance to handle her own problems.

Hopefully, everything would fall into place.

Ha.

Lainey actually laughed at that. When had things in her life ever just fallen into place? Letters to who knows where? Richard’s disappearing act? Problems at the site?

But she’d deal. One roadblock at a time. She always had. She always would. Her momma didn’t raise a coward.

Although … it was nice having people in her corner this time around. For once, she didn’t feel like she was facing it all alone.

Showering and dressing for the day took no time at all. Waking Luke took a little more time. He was usually a morning person, but today she had to go in twice to get him up. She couldn’t help but wonder if finding out about his dad was a comfort to him or just another thing to process.

She tried not to overthink it. She put the coffee on and had just poured herself a mug when Luke’s voice made her jump.

“Mom, could I have a PB Autumn got the Cobb salad with extra bacon.

“Bacon makes everything better,” she said with a grin.

“Hmm.” Lainey looked at the menu again. “I’ll have the tomato basil soup and grilled cheese combo.”

The server wrote down their orders and promised to be back as soon as they were ready.

Lainey had just taken a sip of her iced tea when Dani tilted her head. “You look happy.”

“I am. It’s been a good week, considering.”

“Un-huh. A good week,” Joy echoed. “Mmmm, that’s not just backpack happy.”

“This doesn’t have anything to do with tall, dark and handsome who was eyeing you at the fundraiser, does it?” asked Autumn, raising her brow.

Lainey blinked. “What?”

“Don’t play innocent,” Autumn said, taking a sip of her iced tea. “You know who we mean. The guy who follows you around the site.”

“The one who kissed the bejesus out of you at Lucky’s,” said Joy.

“Ohhh. I remember that,” said Isabelle. She squinted her eyes at Lainey. “Shameless. Like watching kissing porn in public.”

The girls started giggling and then burst into laughter. Lainey just rolled her eyes, then started laughing with them. It was all in good fun. And all true.

“Okay. Okay,” muttered Lainey. “So, Finn and I kissed and…”

The girls all leaned forward.

“And other things,” said Lainey, with as much dignity as she could muster under the circumstances.

“Oh, girl,” said Autumn. “You’ve got it bad.”

“Sooo, is it serious? Is he staying?” asked Joy.

Thankfully, just then the server placed their meals in front of them, giving Lainey a moment to collect herself.

She didn’t mind their teasing or asking about Finn.

But she wasn’t sharing that he was Luke’s father right now.

That would be a discussion between her and Finn.

Besides, her heart was still trying to catch up with all that had happened.

They all dug into their food. The soup was just as Lainey imagined it to be—tomatoey, fresh and herby. There was nothing more to say about the grilled cheese except she was in love. Hopefully, the Finn discussion was closed.

“I guess, more importantly, are you staying?” asked Autumn. “I mean, what happens when this project is done? Do you move on to another?”

Lainey looked at her friends. Women she trusted. “I don’t know all the answers yet. But he’s back for real this time, and I don’t see either of us leaving.”

“Look at our girl,” said Isabelle. “Getting her second chance at love.”

“Yeah.” Lainey sighed. “I didn’t think I’d get one, but there you are.”

A brief silence passed between them. It wasn’t awkward. They shared a few looks. Half-smiles. Looks that said We’ve got your back .

Lainey looked at her watch and groaned. “Crap. I’ve got to get to the site soon. Someone from the council wants to meet.”

All four women looked up.

“Are you going alone?” asked Dani.

“Yes,” she replied. “But before you say anything, Finn did offer to be there.” She rubbed the back of her neck. “I told him no. It’s my project. I need to handle it.”

Dani put her hands up in mock surrender. Now Lainey felt bad.

“Thank you for asking, but I can’t have Finn step in every time there’s a problem. The Brotherhood was kind enough to install more security, so I feel safe.”

“I know, sweetie,” Dani said. “We’re just worried about you.”

Autumn lowered her fork, eyes narrowing. “Do you know who’s coming?”

Lainey shrugged. “Councilman Cho. Not sure who else.”

“Cho?” Autumn snorted. She leaned back in the booth, crossing her arms. “He’s been leading the charge to have you kicked off the project.”

“What are you talking about?” Lainey asked.

Autumn leaned in and lowered her voice. “I have a friend who works admin at city hall and overhead Cho talking to someone about pulling you off the project. And if Sarah Granger comes with him, you need to be careful. They’re gunning for you.”

She bent forward, her voice low and conspiratorial. “Plus, I heard they’re bumping uglies.”

“Ew!” Joy exclaimed. “That’s not a vision I want at lunchtime.”

Sarah was a pain in the neck, period. But sleeping with a councilman? That was a whole new layer of messy.

The women exchanged gossip and good ribbing the rest of the meal. Finally, it was time to pay and go. Lainey did not want to be late for the meeting.

She tossed her napkin on her plate, laid down the money she owed for lunch, and promised to check in later.

As she stepped outside and headed for her car, she hoped the nerves in her stomach would settle, but the feeling that everything wasn’t going to go well sat heavy in her gut.