Chapter 2

CHAPTER

TWO

Merrick

Courtney greets the customer while I step away from the counter, sliding my phone back into my pocket. "Where do you want the table?" I ask Jordyn. I pretend her cheesy smile is because she's happy about the table, not about my offer to help Courtney.

"That was really nice of you, Mer." She bats her eyelashes, and I can only imagine what that look does to my brother Ryder when she turns it on him.

I shrug. "I'm a nice guy. It's not my fault you and the rest of my sisters-in-law married the asshole brothers of the family." I wink, and she tosses her head back in laughter.

"You and I both know that's not true."

"It's not, but it got you to think about something other than me agreeing to help Courtney out of a jam."

"I was just telling you how nice of you it was. She's been stressing over this wedding, and her mom has been putting a ton of pressure on her. You're doing her a huge favor."

"Table?" I ask her again. I know that if I don't shut this down, she's going to read more into it than me just being nice. Who am I kidding? She's going to make a big deal about it, regardless. My family thinks, since I'm the last single brother, that it's time for me to wife up like the rest of my brothers. I'm not against marriage, and I'm certain one day I'll find the one I never want to let go of, but it will happen when it's supposed to. You can't force this kind of thing. If I've learned anything by watching my brothers fall in love, it's that love has its own timeline.

She smirks. "In the corner to the right as soon as you enter the front door."

I shake my head, knowing that within the hour, my sisters-in-law and my brothers are going to hear about my small act of kindness. They're going to make a way bigger deal out of this than what it is. I could see Courtney was stressed, and I'm not attached. It's easy enough to hang out a few times to sell the relationship, go to the wedding, and then split ways, and her mother will be none the wiser. I don't see what the big deal is. However, I know my family, and they'll see it as me wanting her.

Sure, Courtney is gorgeous. She was a couple of years below me in school, but I remember her. How could I not with her long black hair and those hypnotizing dark brown eyes? She's a looker. It's definitely not going to be a hardship to hang out with her and spin her around the dance floor at her sister's wedding.

Pushing out the shop door, I unload the small table from the back of my truck and carry it back inside. Jordyn is at the door, holding it open for me. She's still wearing that knowing smile, and I'm starting to regret my quick decision to help Courtney out of her jam.

"Over there." Jordyn points to where she wants the table, and I place it per her instructions. "Thank you, Merrick."

"You're welcome. You need anything else moved while I'm here?"

"I don't think so. I appreciate the offer." As soon as the words are out of her mouth, a small cry comes through the baby monitor in her hands, and I grin.

I don't ask for permission. Instead, I turn and head for the back of the store where I know Finn's baby bed is set up, because my brother insisted his son needed a bed, not a Pack 'N Play, since he spends so much time here with his momma.

"Hey, little man." I coo to my nephew as soon as I enter the room. He's nine months old and looks just like his daddy. "Did you have a good nap?" He reaches for me as I scoop him out of his crib and cuddle him to my chest.

I rub his back soothingly. Damn, I love being an uncle. Shoving my hand into my pocket, I grab my phone, snap a quick picture, and send it to my group chat with my brothers.

Me: Uncle Merrick is coming in clutch with the cuddles. #favoriteuncle

I'm chuckling as I hit Send. I know that will get them wound up. Especially Ryder. My phone pings immediately, and I'm smiling before I see which one of my brothers responded.

Ryder: That's my boy.

Maverick: He's confused. He thinks you're me.

Brooks: That's just because I'm not there.

He follows his message with an image of him holding his son, Leo, who is sleeping on his chest.

Brooks: Daddy cuddles are better.

He's got me there. I love my nieces and nephews. I can only imagine how that love will be all-consuming when it's my own child.

Maverick sends a picture of him with his twins, Ryan and Lacey, and his daughter Ada. She's snuggled up to his side, while both twins rest on his chest. Ada is two, and the twins are two months old. Maverick's smile is blinding.

Maverick: I've got you all beat. You're all behind. Three cuddles trump all of you.

I chuckle. It's not unlikely that any of us would have twins, considering Maverick and I are. It would have to be my twin to be the one, or I guess I should say the first, because I know my brothers are not done having kids, and then there's me. However, Maverick is going to gloat until someone knocks him off his pedestal.

Me: Someone hurry and knock up your wives and knock him back a few pegs. Brooks and Declan, I'm looking at you two. You're both tied with two. We can't let this go unchallenged.

Declan: I'm coming for you, little brother.

Brooks: Not if I get there first.

Sterling: Twins run in the family. Don't knock me out of the running.

Orrin: What Sterling said.

Rushton: Caden is two. It's time, and yeah, don't count us out just yet.

Archer: I have some catching up to do.

Ryder: As soon as my wife tells me she's ready. I'm guessing she wants more than nine months between pregnancies. I never walk away from a challenge.

Ryder: Give my boy a kiss for me.

Me: And Jordyn?

Ryder: Merrick!

This time, I laugh out loud, causing Finn to jump in my arms. "I'm sorry, buddy. Your daddy is too easy to rile up." Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I head out to the main show area so Finn can see his momma.

"Merrick, why is my husband texting me, telling me to stay away from you?"

I'm still smiling. I can't help it. I love annoying my brothers. Maverick and I have lived our entire lives in their shadows, and as the babies of the family, we took our job to be the annoying little brothers seriously. Although my twin still teams up with me, he's a daddy to three and a husband, so he doesn't have as much time for our antics as he did before he had his own family. I'm happy for him, but I do miss him too.

As twins, we have this freaky thing where we know what the other is feeling, and I know Maverick has never been happier. I'm thrilled for him. Hell, I'm thrilled for all of my brothers. I know my day will come when it's meant to be. I'm a little envious of them all. They have beautiful families, and as the last man standing, I'm ready to join the ranks as husband, and one day, father.

"He told me to kiss Finn for him and I asked about you."

She rolls her eyes, but the smile tugging at her lips tells me she's just as amused as I am. "You knew that would get him wound up."

"Yep."

"Just wait. You keep giving them a hard time, they're going to pay you back tenfold."

"I have strong shoulders, right, Finn? Uncle Merrick can take it."

"You want me to take him?" Jordyn offers.

"Nah, do what you need to do. I've got no plans for the rest of the day. I'll keep him occupied while you work."

"Thank you, Merrick. He's due for a bottle soon."

"You hungry, little man?" I ask my nephew. He lifts his head to look at me, and my heart melts for this kid. Not just him, for all of them. My brothers and their wives sure make some cute kids. Finn sticks his fist in his mouth, and I laugh. "Noted. Time to eat."

Turning, I walk back to the back room that's set up as a nursery and make his bottle one-handed, something I've mastered with the older nieces and nephews. I grab a receiving blanket, deciding to forgo the bib. Those damn things always look so uncomfortable. Settling into the rocking chair, I kick my feet up on the ottoman, careful to let my boots hang off so Jordyn doesn't yell at me, and offer Finn the bottle. He latches on immediately, his eyes locked on mine.

"Slow down, kiddo." He's sucking on his bottle as if it might be his last meal. My phone vibrates in my pocket. "Hold on a second." I take the bottle from Finn's mouth, and he stares up at me, and his little brow furrows. I know he's seconds away from letting me and everyone in the building know how pissed he is that I interrupted his meal. I grab my phone, swipe at the screen, put it on speaker, and quickly pop the bottle back into Finn's mouth.

"Shouldn't you be working?" I ask my brother.

"Why aren't you working?" Ryder asks.

Finn stops drinking and smiles, and I shake my head. "I took the day off. I've been working a shit ton of hours and just needed a day. I had breakfast at Mom and Dad's. Dad mentioned he fixed the legs on Jordyn's table, so I offered to drop it off on my way home."

"Ah, that explains why you're with my wife and son."

"Speaking of your son, he was going to town on his bottle until he heard your voice. Now he's grinning as his eyes search the room for you. I've got you on speaker," I explain.

"Finn, hey, buddy. Daddy loves you," Ryder says immediately. Finn coos and squeals. "You being a good boy for Mommy? Keep her away from Uncle Merrick." I can hear the teasing tone in his voice. Finn screeches and we both laugh. "Damn, do I love being a dad," Ryder says wistfully.

"So, what's up?"

"I'm on lunch. Just thought I'd call and see why you were with my wife and kid and not at work."

"You're too much, Ry." I laugh.

"You'll get there. One day, you're going to get knocked on your ass and you'll understand."

"Jordyn loves you, Ryder. After everything the two of you went through to be together, you know you have nothing to worry about."

"I know. I trust her, but... this need to protect her and our son is overwhelming at times. I can't explain it."

I think about Maverick and the intensity of the feelings I've felt through him. "I have an idea after watching Maverick." We don't talk much about the crazy twin thing we have going on. Hell, we don't even know what to call it, so we've all just continued to call it the crazy twin thing.

"The twin thing." I can hear the understanding in Ryder's voice. "Who knows, maybe you'll find the one soon. This summer, in fact. Maybe even at a wedding." I can hear the amusement in his tone. I don't have to see his face to know he's fighting back his laughter.

Shit.

"Really? It's not even been an hour yet."

Ryder's laughter lingers in the air, and Finn stops eating again to listen to his father's boisterous laugh surround us. "My wife couldn't resist. I called her first," he confesses.

"I'm just helping her out of a jam. She seriously looked stressed as hell. I'm not seeing anyone. It'll be fine. We'll hang out a few times, go to the wedding, dance, drink some champagne, and call it good."

"My wife has a good feeling about this."

I roll my eyes, even though I know he can't see me. "Of course she does. All the sisters-in-law are convinced they need to find me someone to settle down with."

"She said you volunteered."

"I did."

"Courtney's pretty."

She's a fucking knockout, but I keep that to myself. "I'll tell Jordyn you think so."

"Fucker." He laughs.

"Hey, there are tiny ears listening."

"He's a baby."

"He's smart. Right, Finny? Tell Daddy you're smart."

"Of course he's smart. He's mine."

"And your daddy is a little full of himself," I tell my nephew. He grins, but then goes right back to his bottle. His belly must be getting full because he's slowed down on how fast he's eating.

"Just keep an open mind."

"Ryder, you act like I'm against love and marriage. I'm not. When I find the right one, I'll be sure to grab on to her with both hands and never let go."

"But that ‘her' you're referring to could be Courtney."

"I barely know her."

"So get to know her."

"Are we done here?" It's going to be a long three months.

"Kiss my son for me. Finny, Daddy loves you."

"He's smiling," I tell Ryder.

"Talk soon." The line goes dead, and I place my phone on the small table next to the rocking chair.

"When you get older, just know that our big-ass family will stick their noses into everything that you do. Your aunts, uncles, cousins. The family motto is work hard and love harder, and let me tell you, every single person with the last name Kincaid takes that motto to the nth degree. Of course, I do, too, but when it's all directed at you, it can be overwhelming."

Finn finishes his bottle, letting it fall from his lips. I take the receiving blanket and clean him up before sitting him up on my lap. "Just remember, they do it out of love."

Finn lets out a large burp and I laugh. My feelings exactly.

"Life lessons?"

I glance up to see Courtney standing in the doorway. Her head is leaning against the door frame, her long black hair hanging over her shoulder.

"Start them young." A soft puff of laughter fills the room.

"Jordyn wanted me to tell you she's on the phone with a supplier, but as soon as she's done, she'll come and take Finn. Unless you want me to take him?"

"Nah, we're good, right, little man?" I ask my nephew. I make a funny face and he cracks up laughing. His baby laugh shakes his little body and I wish I could bottle the sound and sell it. Pure joy, we could make millions.

"You're good with him."

"We're buds." I lift Finn to stand on my legs. He is a little wobbly but growing stronger every day. He bounces as I keep a tight hold on him, and he graces me with more of his baby laughter.

"Merrick, thank you for offering to help me, but really, you don't have to. I'm sorry that I dragged you into this."

This is it. This is my chance to back out. I can avoid the teasing of my brothers and the scheming of my sisters-in-law, but there's a bigger part of me that doesn't want out of this. Maybe it was the defeat in Courtney's eyes as she explained. Maybe it's me being selfish and wanting to spend time with the beauty standing before me. Maybe I'm just a nice guy, and I really do want to help her. Either way, I know I'm not backing out.

"You backing out on me, Court?" I keep my tone light.

"No, but I'm giving you an out."

"I don't need an out. I knew what I was agreeing to. It's all going to be fine, Courtney. I promise. We'll hang out a few times and go to the wedding. It'll be fun." I shrug like it's no big deal. It really isn't, unless your last name is Kincaid and your mission in life is to get me married off and have babies like the rest of my brothers.

"You say that, but my mother is going to insist I bring you to dinner. Soon," she adds with a look of despair on her face.

There is something in that look. Something that tugs at the strings of my heart. I know my family gives me a hard time, but never to the point that I feel like I have to fake a relationship to get them off my back. Now, I want to help her even more.

"So, we have dinner with them. We're dating, right?"

"Merrick, that's—a lot. I can't ask you to do that."

"You didn't ask me. I volunteered," I remind her again. "Come on, it'll be fun. I'm a fun guy." I give her a cheesy grin, and she chuckles, which is what I was hoping for. I don't like seeing her upset and worrying her bottom lip like she was seconds ago.

"I'm sure my family is going to want to meet you too." I shrug.

"Jordyn knows. Will the others?"

"Yeah, Ryder already called me, and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the others know I offered to help you out. They like to give me shit, but they're nice guys. Just be warned, they're going to do everything they can to play matchmaker between us."

Her eyes flash, but it's not worry, it's something I can't name, but it's quickly replaced with a smile. "I promise I won't embarrass you."

"What? Embarrass me? Courtney, just be you. Don't put all this pressure on yourself. We're going to have a fun few months. Just two friends practicing their acting skills."

"I've never been a good actor."

That makes me laugh. "We'll figure it out. Just pretend I'm any other guy you've dated. It will all fall into place."

"Thank you, Merrick. I—my mom is great. She's just relentless when she gets her mind set on something. You're saving me from three months of nagging and lectures on how I'm not getting any younger and being reminded my little sister is married and I'm not."

"You were a couple of years under me in school, right? So you're what? Twenty-two? Far from an old maid."

"Tell my mother that," she scoffs.

"Nah. I'm the doting boyfriend, remember?" I wink and her face flushes this adorable light shade of pink. The next three months are going to be a blast because I already want to see what else I can do or say to get that blush to appear on her cheeks.

"We've got this."

She nods. "We've got this."