Page 58 of Dare (Fighting Fate)

The drummer smacked his sticks together, counting them in, and then they started. As soon as the intro finished, the lights blared, and chaos hit. Girls screamed and guys hollered, and almost everyone rushed toward the stage.

Rolling my eyes, I shook my head. “Of course. Now it all makes sense.” Turning my attention to Noah, I narrowed my eyes. “How did you not know about this?”

Irritation spread across his face. “I have no fucking idea. But I haven’t exactly had much time to talk to Kaeli today, so I’m not surprised.”

Glancing back to the bar, I watched the girls collect their drinks and head toward the stage, giggling and dancing as they went. As much as I tried not to watch Jess, I just couldn’t help myself. Knowing she was free for anyone to have caused an irrational sense of tension to swell inside me. But knowing it was my choice for it to be that way filled me with so many conflicting emotions, I had no chance of working out what the hell was going on.

But as the girls settled in, and guys from every dark fucking corner of the club started descending on them, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to stand here and watch.

Turning away from them, I closed my eyes and tried to breathe through the absurdity that was my mind, and form the words I needed. Meeting Noah’s concerned gaze, I clenched my jaw. “I need to go. Before I do something stupid.”

Relief flashed in his eyes a fraction before he gave me one swift nod. “It’s all good. We’ve got you, Bro.”

Finishing the last of my drink, I dropped my glass on the table and started for the door, both Noah and Isaac not far behind me. I knew all my brothers disagreed with my choices when it came to Jess, but it was times like these that reminded me of the tight family unit we were. It didn’t matter how stupid any of us were, we were there for each other when it was needed most.

Weaving through the crowd, I stepped to the exit and sighed. As much as I wanted to be able to keep on going without a backward glance, I couldn’t do it. With my hands on the door, already pushing them open, I turned and glanced back to where the girls had been. The last thing I saw before I stepped through, was Jess’s heated gaze, watching me as I went.

Chapter 41

Jess

It was a Sunday morning when Kaeli told me the news that Adam and Kara had welcomed their beautiful little daughter into the world. By the time I found out, she was already two days old and at home with her momma and daddy, being spoiled with love. I didn’t know how it was possible I was so out of the loop, but, seeing as I’d been trying to avoid all things Murphy, I could understand.

As I listened to Kaeli ramble about how gorgeous she was, I couldn’t help but feel so happy for them. The whole family, really. Not only was she the first baby in their family, she was the first girl in the family, and, as much as they all loved their tough guy exteriors, they were all soft-centered pushovers. That little girl was going to have them all wrapped around her little finger for the rest of her life. I actually pitied the poor boy who won her heart when she was old enough.

Walking up the path to Adam and Kara’s house behind Noah and Kaeli, I felt a lightness in my soul I hadn’t felt in a long time. I loved it when good things happened to good people. I knew I was a tagalong here, but I didn’t care. I liked Adam and Kara, and I loved babies. It was going to be my job, after all.

Adam’s eyes sparkled as he opened the door, surprise flickering in them when he saw me loitering in the background. “Hey, guys. Come in.”

I grinned as I stepped up to the door and gave him a hug. “Yes, I’m a shameless tagalong. Congratulations!” Passing him the wrapped present I bought for his daughter, I followed Kaeli inside.

“How are your girls doing, man?” Noah said, standing back as Adam closed the door.

Adam shook his head, amazement gleaming in his eyes. “They’re both incredible. I feel so blessed,” he said, his smile like a permanent fixture on his face. “Come into the den. Kara’s just feeding her, then you can give her a cuddle.”

His happiness and excitement were contagious. I felt it move through my veins as we made our way toward the den. Kaeli and Noah had already seen her at the hospital, so they weren’t too giddy, but I was super freaking thrilled. Now that Amy spent most of her time following Daniel around with Josh, I didn’t get to see Mae anywhere near enough. I needed some baby cuddles.

Kara beamed as we quietly filed into the room. “Hey, guys.”

“Oh my gosh,” Kaeli murmured, leaning forward to give her a loose hug. “Look at you two. You both look so great.”

“She’s so perfect,” Kara gushed. “She’s been a little angel so far.”

Adam dropped down onto the arm of the chair and smirked. “Four hourly feeds. She’s a little legend.”

Edging my way forward, I leaned over and gave Kara a little squeeze. “Congratulations, hon. You did so well. She’s beautiful,” I said, gazing down at the tiny half sleeping angel. “Oh my gosh, she looks so tiny. How much did she weigh?”

“Six pounds six,” she said, gazing down. “But she sure didn’t feel small, that’s for sure. Thirteen inches of head circumference is not easy.”

“Didn’t look pretty, either,” Adam said, laughing evilly.

Kaeli gasped. “Adam! You can’t say that,” she admonished.

“Of course I can,” he said, chuckling. “It was my balls she was crushing while it was all happening.”

Kara pressed her lips together, trying to smother a smile. “He may not be exaggerating.”

Noah shook his head. He was smiling, but he looked kind of horrified while he was doing it. “So, have you guys decided on a name yet?”

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