Easy Nights (Boudreaux #6)

“What about you guys?” Eli asks.

“Charly and I don’t want children,” he replies with a shrug. “And you’re all reproducing enough for us to spoil and love them. Changing nappies isn’t really my forte.”

“I don’t think changing nappies is any of our forte,” Eli says. “But I sure change my fair share.”

“Are we really talking about babies in a bar?” Declan asks. “Here, let’s do a shot. We’re grown men for Christ’s sake.”

We laugh, and I pass on the shot. One beer is plenty for me.

“So, what exactly are the girls doing over at Van’s place?”

“Another séance,” Beau says with a sigh. “But Mallory said there aren’t any spirits in Van’s house, so I’m pretty sure it was just an excuse to get together.”

“Gabby said they also wanted to start planning for Mallory’s baby shower,” Rhys adds.

“Again with the baby talk,” Eli says, rolling his eyes.

“I want to know how things are going between Van and Ben,” Declan says, watching me closely.

“They’re fine,” I reply, intending to leave it at that.

“You’re going to have to say more than that,” Simon replies.

I sigh and glance around at these men who are brothers to me and can’t help but chuckle.

“How do I navigate this?” I ponder out loud. “I mean, you’re my best friends, but you’re also her brothers. I can’t win here.”

“Tonight we’re friends,” Declan says. “Unless you say something we don’t like.”

“Exactly,” I reply and laugh, then scowl because it made my lip hurt.

Fuckers.

“I don’t know what you guys want to know. Let’s start with that.”

“I want to know if you’ve started having sex,” Adam says and then laughs when the others glare at him. “What? She’s not my sister.”

“We can kill you and make it look like an accident,” Eli informs him, but Adam isn’t bullied in the least. He just laughs again and walks down the bar to help a customer.

“Seriously, this is the part that made Van and I think that we shouldn’t be together.”

“Fuck that,” Beau says with a scowl. “We love you both. If it doesn’t work out, we still love you both.”

“After we beat you up,” Declan adds.

“You can try,” I reply.

“Obviously it’s not hard; just look at your face,” Rhys adds, earning a glare from me.

“Okay, I’ll just say it all at once, like tearing off a Band Aid.” I clear my throat and stare at my beer glass. “I’m in love with her. She’s the most amazing woman I’ve ever known, and she’s finally mine. I’m not going to do anything to fuck that up. Yes, we’re intimate, and yes, we had a few discussions to make sure she was ready, and that she trusts me.”

“So you’re not pushing her too hard,” Declan says.

“No, but what you all need to remember is, your sister isn’t made of glass. My God, she survived something that would have destroyed a lesser person. She’s not fragile. And she’s done a kick ass job of healing herself.”

“You’re right,” Beau says. “She’s not fragile. But she’s ours, so we are going to ask these questions, especially given what she did live through.”

“You know that she’s a different person than she was,” I reply, looking my best friend square in the eyes. “She’s…Savannah. She smiles and laughs easily, she’s confident in herself. She’s happy. And I like to think that I have a hand in that.”

“You do,” Eli replies. “She and I spoke, and you are an important part of her happiness these days.”

“You look good together,” Simon says. “I know I’m new around here, but when I first met her, Savannah was still sorting it all out. I’d say she has it sorted.”

“And it’s about fucking time that she’s happy,” Rhys says.

“Jesus, we’ve told you for months to make a move,” Beau reminds me. “I’m glad you finally took our advice.”

“That’s not what I did.” I shake my head. “I just couldn’t handle it anymore. Being near her, but not with her. Can any of you imagine the torture of that? Being a part of your woman’s life, but not having her as your woman?”

“No,” Rhys says, shaking his head. “I can’t imagine it.”

“I love her,” I say again. “And I’ll protect her and love her for the rest of my life.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Ben quite this sentimental,” Simon says with a grin. “Good for you, mate.”

I shrug. “Despite the cut lip, and all the feelings, I’m still badass.”

“Of course,” Eli says. “We’ll see just how badass in the gym tomorrow.”

“I’m going to kick your ass.”





Chapter Eleven


Savannah

“What’s the biggest lie you’ve ever told?” My sister-in-law, Callie, asks me. We’re sitting in my living room, sipping wine with Kate while the others are gathered in my dining room having their tarot cards read by Mallory’s best friend, Lena.

Kate thinks about it for a while and then shrugs. “I try not to lie. What about you, Van?”

“I’m okay,” I reply and offer them both a smile. “I used to say I’m okay a lot. I wasn’t okay.”

“I hope you plan to never say that again if it isn’t true,” Callie says, swirling her wine in her glass.

“I don’t have a reason to lie these days.” I smile as the importance of that statement begins to really sink in. “And that’s a pretty cool thing.”

“Coolest thing I’ve ever heard,” Kate says with a nod. “I’m happy for you. I was worried for you for a long time, and then I was relieved that you were able to get away from that jackass motherfucker forever, but now that I can see how at peace you are, I just couldn’t be happier.”

“Don’t make me cry,” I say, pointing at her. “I don’t want to cry this expensive mascara off.”

“Okay.” She holds her hands up in surrender. “I’m not going to say any more, except atta girl.”

“Oh my gosh, you guys,” Gabby says as she rushes into the room. “You’ll never guess what Lena just told me.”

“That you’re going to win the lottery?” I ask, unable to keep from laughing when Gabby glares at me, sighing because I’ve just stolen her thunder.

“Funny. No, she said that I’m going to embark on a new journey.”

“Did she use the word embark?” Kate asks and smirks into her wine glass.

“You guys are no fun,” Gabby replies and stomps back into the dining room, her shoulders sagging in defeat.

“I just like to flip her shit,” I say to Callie and Kate. “It’s pretty much my only job as a sister. This was fun. It’s been too long since we all hung out.”

“I had a great time,” Mallory says as she joins us. She flops into a chair, looking pleasantly exhausted. She’s already started glowing with her pregnancy. Her violet eyes are shining with happiness, and the small smile on her lips gives her the I have an awesome secret tilt to it.

Except, it’s no secret. And it’s more than awesome.

“How have you been feeling?” Kate asks.

“Not horrible,” she says. “I mean, I have moments of nausea, and I’m quite sure someone keeps punching my boobs because they hurt like crazy, but otherwise, I feel healthy.”