Page 131 of Raise Me Up

I know the fantasy can’t last. I’ve enjoyed staying here while Beau recovers, but I have my own apartment I need to return to, and Beau’s planning on finding a place in Uptown. Our mornings waking uptogether will become sporadic. Our time together whittled down as regular life absorbs us once more.

Regardless of how much I tell my brain this, I don’t think I’ve wanted anything more than to keep living with Liam and Beau.

Would it be too much of a leap for us?

I drop my chin when I catch Hail’s gaze on me once more, a slight furrow between his brows.

Beau rounds the corner into the hallway. My eyes grow misty as Dave hurries to embrace him. He rocks Beau side-to-side, stroking a worn, tan hand over the back of Beau’s hair.

“Missed you, son.” Dave’s voice cracks with emotion.

Beau swipes at a rogue tear streaking down his cheek. “Damn it, dad. You’re not supposed to make me cry on Christmas.”

Chuckles fill the entryway. As everyone drifts into the kitchen and living area, I ferry gifts under the tree. In my chaotic running around, the doorbell rings again.

Liam cocks a brow at me. “Were we expecting anyone else?”

I swallow. “Uh, yeah. I wasn’t sure he’d come.”

I’d been so busy making sure the holiday would cheer Beau up that I’d forgotten to mention I’d invited my older brother.

Max had called me a week ago to ask if Hail and I were going to mom and dad’s for Christmas, to which I’d spilled about our alternative plans to have a get-together without them.

When I open the front door, Max stands on the porch awkwardly in pristine black slacks and a hunter green dress shirt, Felicity clutched in one arm and a bottle of fancy wine in the other hand.

I snatch up my niece, cooing at her cuteness in a red velvet dress and a matching bow over her wispy, ash brown hair.

When I turn around, Liam’s standing in the hallway, watching me with a soft gaze.

And here I thought he’d be overwhelmed by the decorations and the people.

I carry Felicity into the living room, and Hail swoops in to get some belly laughs out of her. Z smiles affectionately at his side.

“I’m guessing this is your niece,” Z says.

Dave holds out a finger for Felicity to wrap her little hand around. “What’s your name, sweet thing?”

Queue the explosion of my ovaries. Something about a room full of grown men turning to mush over a baby.

“This is Felicity, and my brother, Max.”

“Pleasure to meet you all,” Max addresses the room.

Dave claps a hand down on Max’s wide shoulder. “Right back at ya, son.”

Max’s eyes widen slightly, and then Beau moves in to further stun him. “Hey, I’m Beau. Stasi’s boyfriend.”

With a twitch of a brow, Max looks to me and then back at Beau. He catalogues the scar on Beau’s head that hasn’t quite been hidden by his hair, then the dimples in his cheeks. His assessment ends with the left hand Beau extends toward him. His right hand isn’t quite up to par yet, but we’re getting there.

I hold my breath, anticipating some smart-mouthed response from Max before he pivots on his loafers and marches from the house.

Except, he politely shakes Beau’s hand.

See? Grass is greener on this side of the fence.

Not that I’m trying to get Max to choose sides. If he wants to maintain a relationship with our parents, that’s on him.

We all turn our attention back to Felicity as she lets out a shriek of joy.