Page 28 of Judge
“Count me in too,” Nitro’s voice chimes in from behind me.
“Where are we going?” Rider grins, Tav, Sniper and Dex standing alongside him.
Rolling my eyes I stomp down the front steps. “Let me call Mom.”
* * *
“Oh boys! It’s so good to see you all!” I roll my eyes as Mom comes rushing out of the house, arms open wide, going from brother to brother giving them all mom-hugs, as if they don’t get enough of them from Mama Debs.
“Don’t judge her, you know she loves when you visit with the MC,” Dad murmurs as he hugs me.
My whole life they have been the benchmark of a happy relationship for me. They met in high school, got married after college, then had me. They always wanted more kids but it wasn’t in the cards for them, so I can see how mom would soak up all the attention my brothers give her. Even if it’s because they’re moochers and just want her cookies.
“Come on in! As soon as Leo called I got the oven on.”
I swear Rider makes a whooping noise as he follows behind her like a dog. Dex, Sniper, Tav, Nitro and Tank following behind. They all crowd around the dining table, talking shit with Dad and pigging out on chocolate chip cookies. Jesus, Mom even has glasses filled with milk waiting on the table for them.
“So, what’s going on?” Mom bumps her hip into mine before wrapping her arm around the base of my back as I stand back and watch the carnage.
“What makes you think something is going on?”
She raises a single brow and gives me a look. “You hardly ever visit, and now here you are, looking…happy.”
“Huh?”
“You look happy. Which means I’m happy. So, do you have something to tell me?” She clasps her hands under her chin, looking just like Annie-Bella when she’s trying to wrangle something out of her mother. Or me. I’ve learned that I have no discipline when it comes to the twins.
“Oh, he definitely has something to tell you,” Rider says around a mouthful of cookie.
I give him the death glare and he grins back, chocolate chips all through his teeth. He isn’t the only fucker staring either. Sniper is sitting in the corner quietly, a cookie in one hand, glass of milk in the other. Dex is ogling with the best of them, all while trying to block Tank from the snickerdoodles. The only brother minding his own goddamn business is Tav, who has become enamoured with Dad’s train set collection.
Moving my gaze back to Mom’s hopeful one, I let out a sigh, then move her closer to the dining table, gesturing her to take a seat.
“Chuck,” mom hisses. “Leave the trains,Judge-” Mom winks at me, like she often does when she uses my road name, “has something to tell us,” she wriggles in her seat, waving her hand at Dad to hurry up and sit his ass down.
Dad looks torn between Mom’s eagerness to hear what I have to say, and talking to Tav about his collection. I decide to put him out of his misery and drop the bomb.
“Do you remember Kaia?”
“Oh I don’t know.” Mom gives Dad a look, “Do you mean Kaia Kennedy, your bestie from the ages of five through to eighteen? Lived right down the street? Had sleepovers in the fort, worked the summer job with you, was your date for prom?ThatKaia?” Mom rolls her eyes.
I frown at her, a look that’ll make most men shit their pants, and yet she sits there giving me sass. She reminds me so much of Annie-Bella. Small but mighty. Head full of light brown curls and body full of equal amounts sweetness and attitude.
“Yeah, OK, so you remember her.”
“Oh, is she back in town?”
“You could say that,” Tank mumbles, watching the show.
“Ah, yeah. She’s in Rose Grove.”
Mom claps, bouncing in her seat, “How wonderful! I always thought it was sad that you two lost touch,” Dex snorts and then covers it with a cough. I’m going to kick his ass. Actually, I might kick all their asses.
I stare at Mom, ignoring the eyes on me. Just say it, Leo. Get it out. “Kaia has twins,” I blurt, then stare wide-eyed at my parents.
“Oh that’s so nice! What kind? Boy/boy? Girl/girl? Oh, a boy and a girl?”
“Yeah Leo, what kind are they?” Rider says, shoving a cookie in his big mouth.
