Page 93 of Minus

“Jase, wait?”

“Not waitin’ anymore, Cricket.” He kissed me. “Lean in, honey. I won’t bend on this one.”

“You can’t force me to marry you.”

“You want me to move out?”

I gasped. “What? No! You wouldn’t.”

“Those are your choices, Christina. You’ve been gettin’ the bull for free for too long. You either buy the horns or I’m leaving you, woman.”

“Free bull?” I choked back a laugh. “Really?”

“Yep. Time you made an honest man outta me.”

“Honey, I can’t get married without my family.”

Before he could answer, our doorbell pealed, and my heart dropped. The car was obviously here. God! I hadn’t even had time to process there was a life growing in me…which was probably Jase’s plan all along.

“Eat,” Jase ordered, and left me to answer the door.

He pulled open the door and I felt tears starting to burn as Hatch and Maisie walked in, followed by their kids. Maisie rushed to me and pulled me in for a hug. Poppy followed, then my nephews, Flash and Jamie, then finally my brother. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

“Not missin’ my baby sister’s wedding,” he said.

“Shotgun wedding, you mean.”

“What the fuck?” he whispered, meeting my eyes.

“They don’t know, Cricket,” Jase said. “Figured you’d want to tell ’em.”

“Surprise,” I whispered. “I’m pregnant.”

My brother pulled me in for another hug and I wrapped my arms around his waist.

“You happy?” he rasped.

“So happy.”

He lifted my face and kissed my forehead. “Happy for you, Cricket.”

Tears slid freely down my face now, and Maisie and Poppy pulled me in for a group hug.

“Your other brothers are meeting us at the airport, so are a few of the Dogs,” Jase said, wrapping an arm around me.

“You got everyone?” I asked on a sob. I couldn’t believe he’d made sure my entire family was there.

He kissed my temple. “Yeah, I got everyone. Kim’s taking care of the dress.”

“I don’t know if I can afford what she will pick out.”

“We got it,” Maisie said. “Our gift.”

“Really? Ohmigod, Maisie, thank you.” I bit my lip. “What about rings? I don’t have a ring for you.”

He chuckled. “It’s all handled. Let’s go. We’re gonna be late.”

“Wait, honey. I…”

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