Page 19 of Summer Nights (The Kingston Brothers #3)

We ate, talked, and laughed. No one asked questions about our plans, which I was grateful for. They must have sensed it was a sensitive situation.

When we were finished, I leaned back in the chair, enjoying just being with my family. Ivy had been quiet throughout the meal, but she'd eaten two servings. I could tell Mom was happy that she'd enjoyed her food. She loved to cook for us.

"Why don't a few of you start a bonfire? It's the perfect evening for one," Mom said as she got up, and we all jumped to our feet, gathering dishes.

Brady intercepted me. "Help me with the fire."

"Sure," I said handing the dishes to Dad. We headed outside, grabbing wood, then followed the narrow path to the beach.

Brady set the logs on the fire pit. It was a quiet night. A few families and couples were walking on the beach, but no one had set up camp on our private strip. "So you and Ivy?"

"We're co-parenting."

Brady squatted with the fire starter in his hand, attempting to get the fire burning. "How did you get together?"

"We've always been attracted to each other. But it was supposed to be casual."

"It wasn't planned." It wasn't a question.

"No. And she was a little taken aback by it."

He raised a brow. "But she's okay with it now?"

"It was a shock. I get the feeling Ivy plans everything, and this threw her off. She's still trying to get her bearings, and she's worried about what everyone else thinks."

Brady shrugged. "You're adults, so what does it matter?"

"I think reputation matters quite a bit to Ivy."

Brady nodded. "Because of how she grew up?"

"Yeah, she takes care of her siblings as much as she can. She didn't want to bring a child into the world because she wanted to be there for them."

"She still can be." He poked the wood, trying to get the initial spark to ignite more pieces of timber.

"She wanted to pay for their college," I said, proud of her.

Brady whistled. "That's expensive for anyone. But amazing she wanted to do that."

"I don't think her plans have changed. She's been working on bringing in more clients before the baby comes so that she has money to stay home for a bit after he or she is born."

Brady's brow furrowed as he lit the timber. "You're going to support them."

I rubbed the back of my neck. "It's not that easy. Ivy fights me every step of the way."

Brady chuckled. "I hate to say this, but I think I'm going to enjoy the show."

I frowned, throwing more wood on the fire. "What are you talking about?"

"It wasn't long ago that Hazel and I were the center of attention. I'm looking forward to it being you and Dalton for a while. And we all know how this is going to turn out."

My jaw tightened. "What do you mean?"

"You and Ivy."

"What about me and Ivy?"

"You obviously like each other. You have so much chemistry; birth control was an afterthought." He waited a beat for me to protest, but I didn't.

I had forgotten to put on the condom twice. Even though we corrected course, it hadn't changed the outcome.

Brady grinned. "You're obviously going to get together. The co-parenting line is bullshit."

I grabbed a stick to have something to do with my hands. I poked the already burning fire. "Ivy doesn't want to be in a relationship."

Brady threw his stick to the side and dropped into one of the Adirondack chairs. "Yeah, okay."

I glared at him. "You don't know her like I do. She's stubborn.

"She might resist you for a while, but it won't be long before you're together again. If you're not already." Brady raised a knowing brow. I refused to rise to the bait, but Brady let out a loud guffaw. "Oh, man, you're so screwed."

I threw the stick into the fire and brushed off my hands. "You're an asshole; you know that?"

"I'm a happy asshole. I have Hazel, we're engaged, and living together. I got her puppy, Max. Everything I've ever wanted."

"And you're rubbing that in my face?"

He sobered, leaning forward, his elbows resting on his thighs. "Not at all. I just want you to have what I do, and I know from experience you're going to go through some shit before you figure this out. It's going to suck for you but be entertaining for me."

"I'm glad you're enjoying this," I said as the rest of our family joined us.

The guys broke off to play volleyball, but I hung back with Ivy.

"You can go play with your brothers." Ivy waved in the direction of our beach court.

Elena approached us with a glass of lemonade for Ivy. "You have some explaining to do."

"That's my cue to go," I said as I jogged toward my brothers who were still deciding on teams. We usually did youngest versus oldest, which had gotten more competitive over the years. Shep and me split up to make the teams even. This time, I was on Hudson's side.

Hudson threw the ball at me. "That went well."

I cradled the ball in my hand. "Yeah, Mom and Dad seem happy."

"I think they're used to surprises these days. First Luna leaves the business and gets engaged to that ex-military man from Maryland?—"

"I wouldn't say that to Axel's face." He was big, and I wouldn't want to tussle with him.

Hudson continued, "Then Dalton knocked up Oakley."

"Hey, watch your mouth. That's the mother of his child."

Hudson grinned wide. "You're growing up, brother. I like it."

I groaned. "I'm never going to be as boring as you though."

Hudson raised a brow, then gestured for me to serve. "That's all you got?"

"I'm going to bring it on the court." I smirked, moving into position. I immediately clocked Ivy seated next to Elena, who was talking a mile a minute. I was sure Elena was grilling Ivy about me. I hoped Ivy was saying good things.

I served the ball, feeling content that everything was falling into place for me.