Page 42 of Protecting Lainey (Broterhood Alliance #7)
“Hurry up, Luke, we’ll miss the burgers.”
Lainey called up the stairs to her son. Dani and Ryker were hosting a Sunday barbecue and invited a handful of friends and their kids to come. So far, it was just Jack and Luke. But that was more than enough chaos.
“I’m ready,” a voice said behind her, startling the heck out of her.
She spun, heart pounding, to find Luke grinning at her, already dressed in board shorts and a well-loved T-shirt, the NASA cap Finn had given him pulled low over his brow.
He practically slept in the thing. If she thought he was obsessed with space before, Finn had rocketed that into full-blown hero worship.
Not only did he love the cap, but Luke couldn’t stop talking about Finn. Finn this. Finn that. How they’d gone out for ice cream. Finn promised maybe, just maybe, they could watch a rocket launch together someday.
When Finn brought him home, he’d also brought dinner and ice cream. Luke had been beside himself with excitement. And Finn … he looked like a man who had found something he hadn’t realized he was missing.
After dinner, Finn gently pulled Lainey aside. Told her how wonderful the afternoon had been and hoped to do it again soon.
And later, after Luke went to bed, they talked about the meeting Lainey had.
About Sarah Granger. And that something felt off, even though she couldn’t explain why.
But she hadn’t told him everything. How Sarah kept giving her mixed messages or how Cho’s smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Maybe she was imagining things. Or maybe not.
“Will Finn be there?” Luke asked, adjusting the strap on his new dragon-themed backpack.
Lainey nodded. “Yes. He lives next door. And some of his co-workers will be there as well as a few of my friends.”
“Any kids my age?”
“Sorry, bud. It’s just you and Jack at this point.”
Luke grinned. “That’s okay. Jack is my best friend. We always have fun.”
He headed for the door with a bounce in his step. Lainey followed him, locking the door behind her. As they got into the car, a whisper of unease brushed the back of her neck. She glanced around. Nothing out of place. No strange cars. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.
The smoky scent of grilled burgers hit them the second she parked. Laughter drifted from the backyard, and as they walked in, Luke spotted Jack and took off like a rocket, backpack swinging.
She placed the potato salad she had brought on the picnic table. Dani waved as she set out plates on another table. Autumn and Emily came over to say hi, and Lainey relaxed a little in the circle of her friends. She waved to some of the guys she knew who were standing with their women.
Lainey looked around and spotted Finn near the grill with Ryker, a beer in hand. He looked happy. Relaxed.
His eyes caught hers. He smiled and stepped away from the grill to meet her.
“Hey you,” he said in a low, sexy voice. “Glad you came.”
She nudged him with her shoulder. “Like Luke would’ve let me skip. He’s been asking what time we were leaving since he got up.”
Finn grinned and started to say something else when Ryker hollered the burgers were ready.
Everyone gathered around the table. Plates were passed and drinks poured. The two boys grabbed their meals and vanished toward the tree house Ryker and Jack built together.
Lainey settled in a chair next to Autumn, Dani and Naomi, a cold drink sweating in her hand, listening to the various conversations and eyeing Finn at the same time. He was with some of the guys and winked at her. Lainey blushed.
A little while later, everyone’s stomach was full.
They still had Emelia’s desserts to eat.
She informed them she made lemon bars, mini key lime pies and chocolate chunk brownies, but for now the adults were content to lounge in their chairs, let their meal settle and watch the two boys play.
Someone put on music. Laughter and conversation floated through the backyard.
The two boys abandoned the tree house and were tossing the football back and forth. Finn, Caleb, Ryker and Dex decided to join in, turning it into a chaotic, mostly hilarious game of catch.
Lainey sipped her drink, surrounded by the other women in conversation. It felt good to be surrounded by friends. It felt like she’d finally found a home.
Finn was at the edge of the yard showing Luke how to throw a spiral. It sailed toward the women, but Luke chased it down as it bounced off the grass and rolled onto the patio.
His cheeks were flushed, his smile wide. “Hey Mom,” he said, picking up the ball. “Dad says I’m getting better.”
The entire backyard went silent.
Lainey blinked. Dani froze. Autumn’s drink paused halfway to her lips.
The guys stopped what they were doing.
Luke ran back and threw the ball to Jack as if he hadn’t turned the world upside down.
Dani was the first to speak. “Did he just…?”
Lainey nodded, still stunned. “He did.”
Autumn pressed her hand to her chest. “Talk about a picnic surprise. That was just … wow.”
The men were less subtle as Finn walked over, clapping him on the back, giving him a high five like he’d just won a championship.
Then Finn walked over to Lainey, his eyes searching hers and a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Are we good?”
Lainey smiled. “We’re good,” she said. “Really good.”
Finn’s shoulders eased, and he nodded once.
From across the yard, Luke cupped his hands and shouted. “Come on, Dad. Let’s play ball.”
And just like that, the world tilted into something new.