Page 90 of Hush (Fighting Fate)

“AH-HA!” he said loudly, almost making me jump. “In your face. She likes me better.”

I laughed at his retaliation. I knew he was only joking, but I was still waiting for him to poke his tongue out too.

Pulling me closer, he kissed my temple. “Kaeli, that moron is Isaac. He’s thinks because he’s a firefighter, he’s god’s gift to all women.”

I raised my eyebrow at this little bit of information, but I smiled. How could I not? They were funny.

Standing up, Isaac walked over to us and surprised me by scooping me into a huge hug. “Hey, Thumbelina.”

I squealed at the unexpected move, making Noah growl and shove him away. “Get away from her, you dick.”

The rest of them laughed, climbing to their feet to come greet us too. Shit. I automatically inched closer to Noah. Looking up at the four brothers, I suddenly understood the Thumbelina reference. They were all like freaking giants.

One of the older looking ones stepped forward, his eyes kind and reassuring. They reminded me a lot of Noah’s. I immediately liked him.

“Hi,” he said, holding out his hand. “I’m Adam. The oldest. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

I cringed. I had no idea what Noah might’ve said to him. Taking his hand, I tried to smile. “Hi.”

“And this is Micah,” Noah continued, gesturing to one who looked a little more clean cut than the others. He still had the trade mark dark hair and hazel eyes, but his clothing and hair style screamed ‘white collar’. He also seemed a little more reserved than the others. I shook his outstretched hand.

“And this loser over here,” Noah said, wrapping his free hand around the back of the last brother’s neck. “Is Eli. Eli is the smartest of us all. He’s about to start law school.”

Eli rolled his eyes. “You know that’s completely contradictory, don’t you?”

Noah smiled at me. “See? Smart.”

He laughed, reaching out his hand for me to take. “Hi, Kaeli. Nice to meet you.”

I couldn’t help smiling. Their banter made me feel at home. “Thanks. You too.”

Noah looked around before quirking his eyebrows. “Where’re the ‘rents?” he asked.

Adam grinned. “Dad’s cleaning the grill, Mom’s telling him how to do it, and Kara’s umpiring.”

Noah laughed. “So, nothing’s changed then?”

Isaac grabbed Micah in a headlock. “Nope. Nothing.”

I giggled and Noah squeezed me harder. Yeah, I was going to like it here.

“Is that my baby I can hear?”

I turned at the sound of the woman’s voice calling from outside. Noah groaned and the others snickered.

“Hi, Ma,” Noah called out.

The next second a small, slim figure appeared in the doorway and I immediately knew it was Noah’s mom. She was obviously where they all got their dark hair and hazel eyes.

She strode into the room, her eyes, loving and kind, finding me. “Ah, I can see why Noah’s gone all gaga over you now. You’re gorgeous. Come here.”

She pulled me into a quick, gentle hug before pulling back to study me. “I’m Alli by the way. How’s your mother?”

Her question surprised me. I wasn’t expecting them to know my situation.

“Mom…” Noah said with a hint of a warning in it.

We both ignored him. “She’s okay I guess,” I said. “Happy to be free of things I think.”

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