Page 46 of Starting Over with You (Beer League Belles #2)

CHAPTER

FORTY-THREE

Dean

“So, you and Kenni gonna get pregnant next?”

I almost choke on air and throw my neck out as I whip my gaze to my daughter. I narrow my eyes while she cracks up, her laughter bubbling as I shake my head. “No way in hell am I waking up at night for anything but Kenni.”

She fake-gags, but it’s all for show. She loves that I love Kenni. My baby girl cuddles into my side, and I kiss her forehead as we both glance over at where Nyle is holding Missy’s brand-new bump while most of the town gushes around them.

My backyard is packed, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I told Jackson I’d throw a barbecue to help him get on Liam’s good side, but I masked it as a thank-you party for Nyle.

Which they turned into a baby announcement.

Honestly, you couldn’t pay me to have a kid in this economy.

But watching Missy glow like that, full of love and excitement?

It’s hard not to smile. When she was pregnant with Skyye, she always looked a little green, probably because she was carrying my baby and not the guy’s she was meant to be with.

She’s only four months along now, but you’d think she was eight with the way they’re fussing over her.

Not that any of us would say a word. We’re happy for them. I owe Nyle my life.

For saving the light of mine.

Nyle stands proudly in his “#1 Daddy” shirt, and even though he’s the biggest dork I’ve ever seen, I appreciate him.

Even Sadie stopped calling him names. She brought him snacks while he recovered from the gunshot wound to his bicep.

It got infected and took longer to heal, but you’d never know it from the size of his smile.

When I thanked him for what he did, he just said, “You’d have done it for Missy.”

And I would have.

So every time he annoys me, I remind myself—he took a bullet for the woman I love.

I hear Kenni’s laughter and follow the sound to where she’s standing with her dad, who’s holding Maggie close to his chest. Maggie moved in with him, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen the two of them so happy.

Jett jokes he’ll never call Willie “Dad,” but with how close those two are getting…

he might not have a choice. Hazel, Bea, and Kenni all smile as they talk.

Bea leans heavily into her walker, laughing loudly, deep wrinkles and all—proof of a life well lived.

A smile tugs at my lips.

Kenni belongs right here.

In Thistlebrook.

With me.

A squeal yanks my attention as Chelsea throws her arms around Liam and plants a big kiss on his cheek.

Liam looks like he’s got a hockey stick up his ass, but he holds her close and kisses her temple, eyes locked on Jackson.

I don’t hear what he says, but Jackson nods eagerly.

When Liam extends his hand, Jackson grabs it like it’s the Beer League Cup.

Chelsea squeals again and hugs them both, while Liam looks like someone shoved another hockey stick up his ass.

I chuckle to myself. This party is a win .

A baby announcement. A father making peace with his daughter’s boyfriend. And I’m head over boots in love with the girl of my dreams.

“Oh, there are Sadie and the kids.”

Skyye’s off before the words leave her mouth. I lean on the fence, taking in the partygoers dancing, laughing, drinking, but my eyes find Kenni again.

She’s wearing this sweet little sundress and brown boots. The hem dances along her thick thighs, and I know for a fact that there’s beard burn between them. I ate her sweet pussy until she was hoarse from screaming my name just hours ago.

Her hair’s down in waves along her shoulders, glowing in the sunset. She must feel me staring because she looks up andblushes. A slow grin creeps over her lips.

Is she thinking about me between her legs?

God, I hope so.

I hate that she’s so far away. I want her in my arms—always.

The day her divorce was finalized, I wanted to propose right then and there. But I want to do it right. I want to give her a moment she’ll never forget. Not because I doubt her or us; I just want it to beperfect.

A twig snaps to my left. Seb strolls up in dark jeans and a blue tee that looks one flex away from ripping in half. We’ve been hitting the gym together lately, and while I didn’t expect it, I’ve really enjoyed his company. He brushes his hair back, taps his beer to mine, and mutters, “Great party.”

“It’ll do,” I say with a nod.

Seb grunts. His standard language. He only speaks in full sentences to his girls. I glance over. “Is your dad here?”

He nods toward where Big Seb is standing with Noelle, arm wrapped around her as they chat with the guys from the team she sponsors. Noelle looks happy, radiant, and adorable as ever in jean shorts and a Pastry Puckers tee.

When her bright-green eyes find us, Seb stiffens.

I raise a brow. “Dude, what is your issue with her? ”

“My dad prefers her.”

I blink. “Okay. But you’ve always been weirdly hostile toward her.”

He scoffs. “Didn’t have a choice.”

“What does that mean?” I frown. Seb lets out a heavy sigh. “Doesn’t matter.”

And just like that, he walks away. Broody bastard. I’ve always thought he had a thing for Noelle. But if he does, why hasn’t he done anything? She’s obviously head over heels for him, and her eyes track him like he’s her North Pole.

Man, I hope they figure it out. I’m a sucker for a happy ending now. I’ve got mine; I want everyone else to have theirs too.

And speaking of mine…

I find Kenni by the speaker, brows furrowed as she scrolls through the music on my laptop. Then, just as “Hard to Leave” by Riley Green starts to play, she lifts her gaze to me.

My heart stutters.

One second, we’re across the yard, and the next, we’re in each other’s arms. She loops her hands behind my neck. I clutch her dress in my hands. We sway to the beat, eyes locked.

“Hi,” she whispers.

I grin. “Hi there, darlin’.”

“Funny meeting you here,” she teases.

“If you’re on the dance floor, so am I,” I say, pulling her closer.

Her face is bright, her eyes wild as she smooths my mustache. “Sir, your mustache has no business being this slutty in public.”

God, she drives me wild. I nip her thumb, and she giggles. “It’s only slutty for you.”

She snorts, and I chuckle at how ridiculous we are. Out of nowhere, Kenni grabs my hat and puts it on her head. It’s too big, falling over her eyes, but damn if it doesn’t lookperfect.

I spin her out and back in, then lean in close. “Fuck me, Kenni. You look even better with my hat on.”

Her laughter is better than any song.

“You know what they say,” she purrs. “Wear a cowboy’s hat… ”

I grin. “Ride the cowboy?”

“Later.”

“You got that right,” I say with a wink.

Her grin is unstoppable. “And do you know what they say about throwing up in a cowboy’s hat?”

I laugh. “What?”

She cups my cheeks. “They say that’s the cowboy you’ll love forever.”

Now she winks, and just like that, I’m wrecked.

I press my lips to her mouth, soft, reverent, and completely hers.

Forever.

If she ever needs to puke again, my hat’s ready.

It’ll always be ready.

Only for her.