Page 34 of Make Me Stay

I elbowed him. “I might be in love with your son.”

“Might?” She grinned then she laced her fingers together under her chin. “Does that mean you’re staying, Kai?”

He laughed. “Definitely.” He kissed my forehead. “Even if she wouldn’t have me, I’m glad to be home. But I think she likes me.”

I slid my arm around his back. “Like might be an understatement.”

“Yeah?” He curled me into him until I pressed my cheek to his chest. “Oh, here we go.”

“What?” I saw Wyatt coming down the hill behind his mom, Nicole, in tow. I tried to slip out from under Kai’s arm, but he held me tight.

“We’re not hiding. Besides, I nearly sacrificed a molar to your brother’s sledgehammer of a fist.”

I looked up at him. “My brother?”

“Defending your honor to the end.” He snickered. “If only he knew,” he whispered.

His mom tugged me away from Kai for a hug. “I’m so glad he found you.”

I hugged her back. “Me too.”

She eased back, her dark eyes swimming. “I’ve missed having all my boys home. For that alone, I would love you.”

I laughed. “He’s talking about house hunting, pray for me.”

Anna gasped then she threw herself at Kai.

“Okay, Ma.” He rubbed her back. “Don’t scare Lex away, for God’s sake.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” She wiped away tears. “I just miss having you around.”

A commotion started up at the tented food area. Cam, looking tanned and full of himself, stood with his arms out. “Get up here, beautiful! I’m home.”

She squeezed Kai one more time then took off up the sandy hill.

“You think she lovesme,Cam is the golden child,” Kai said, tugging me back against him. “There goes a quiet day at the lake.”

I pressed a hand to Kai’s chest, more relaxed than I’d been in days. “So, do you hate me?” I asked my brother.

Wyatt sighed. “Not sure what you see in this idiot, but no.”

“Thanks,” Kai said wryly.

“I’m afraid I love him. Guess we’ve got to keep him.”

Kai looked down at me, his eyes crinkling. “That’s how you tell me?”

I grabbed his hand and started toward the water. “Think we need a minute.”

Wyatt waved us off. “Yeah, yeah. Far away so I can’t see anything.”

I looked over my shoulder at Nicole with a big grin. “Save me a turkey burger from the animals.”

She laughed. “You got it.”

Kai laughed as I led him farther down the beach away from our friends and Kai’s family. When we got down to the water, I kicked off my sandals and coverup and heard him swear behind me.

“God, you’re stunning.”

---