Page 78 of I Wanna Be Your Lager

I freeze. My blood is on the brink of boiling. I thought he came here to make amends. Not this. I square my shoulders, preparing for another fight. “Look, if you’ve come to hassle me about my relationship with Eve, you can leave now.” I point to the door. “But know this, I’m doing this just as much for me as I am for her and the baby. I want to be with her. I need to be with her. I love her.”

The words have always been on the tip of my tongue, but I was hoping she’d hear them before her brother. Fuck it. Here are my cards. “I love your sister. She makes me want to be a better man for her, but also for myself. She’s my every breath. I want to take care of her. I want to give her the entire fucking world. If you can’t see that, then go.”

He holds his hands up in defense. “I just wanted to see where your head was at.”

“I don’t need any of your big-brother tests.”

He nods. “So you love her?”

“More than anything.”

“Got it.” A few seconds of silence pass between us before he says, “I always wished Eve would grow up and have a strong head on her shoulders, but I didn’t anticipate her being as fierce as she is. Good luck, and you have my blessing.”

I laugh. “After you punched me in the face, you do realize I was going to do it whether or not I had your blessing.”

“I’d expect nothing less.”

I pull one bottle from the cardboard carrier and set the rest on the counter. Twisting off the cap, I take a long pull. “You want a water or something?”

Jake shakes his head. “No. I’m good.” He inspects a box with parts for the crib. “Working on something?”

I take a drink, enjoying the slightly fruity ale. “You ever put a baby crib together?”

“Can’t say I have.”

“Great! Then you can help me.” I grab the other five beers and stroll through the living room to the stairs that lead to the second floor. Jake follows close behind.

Two and a half hours and two extra screws later, the crib is assembled. Both of us stand in front of the crib and admire our handiwork.

“Do you think we’re supposed to have leftovers?” I hold out my palm with the two screws resting in the middle.

He shrugs. “Don’t they usually provide extras, just in case?”

“Sure. Seems reasonable.” I grip the railing of the crib and give it a firm shake. It feels fairly sturdy. I walk around to the other side and do the same. This could hold a baby. “Climb in and see if it holds you.” I nod at the crib.

Jake bends down and picks up the directions. “I read somewhere that the max capacity is like fifty pounds. I’m just a few pounds over that.”

I rub my chin. “That’s not going to work.”

The plush carpet rubs against my arm. The tiny light from the drill is the only thing helping me see under the crib as I screw in the last two-by-four to the legs.

“Oh, don’t you two look cute assembling a crib together?”

I jerk and smack my head on the wood. A loud thud echoes through the small room and wince. Twisting to my side, Eve stands in the doorway with a wide grin on her face. I roll out from under the crib and rise to my feet. “What do you think?” I motion to the crib.

“Looks good. You two assembled this by yourselves?”

“We’re more than just good looks. We’re carpenters now.” I wrap my arm around her shoulder and press a kiss to the top ofher head without a second thought. When I pull away, I glance at Jake. The corner of his mouth twitches. It’s the closest thing to a smile anyone will see from him.

Eve wraps her arms around my waist. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

“You need to be our tester, though,” I say.

Eve freezes. “Your tester?”

“Yeah. Get in the crib.” I lift my chin, nodding at the crib.

She giggles. “Why?”

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