Bonus Scene

Blakely Kincaid

Ten years later

"All done, Brooky," I tell my little sister, Brooklyn. She's eleven years younger than me, and follows me around like my little shadow. It used to annoy me, but after being away at college for my first year, I can admit I miss her, and my little brother, Beckham. That's why, when she asked me to French braid her hair, even though our mom and aunts know how, I gladly agreed.

"Thanks, sister." She grins and takes off running for the pool.

"Don't run," I whisper under my breath as every adult here calls out to her. I don't bother to hide my grin, because damn, I missed my family, and some things never change. No matter how much time you're away.

In case you didn't know, there are a shit ton of us. Seriously. My dad has eight brothers. Eight . Let that sink in. Nine boys. I don't know how my grandparents did it. Then there's my dad's cousin, Ramsey, who is like a sister to them. Ten kids. You know what that equals out to, right? Ten kids, ten spouses, and a whole hell of a lot of littles running around. It's chaotic and pretty damn perfect. There is always something going on, or someone to help with the younger kids, and I have nine incredible aunts, as well as my mom, to lean on when I need advice.

Don't get me wrong, I go to my dad and my uncles, too, but most of the time it's the ladies I cling to.

My mom says it's because when I was little, it was just me and my uncles other than my grandma and Ramsey in my life. I like to think it's because they're all kickass ladies, and I would be thrilled to be like every single one of them.

"What are you doing over here all on your lonesome, lazybones?" my dad says, taking the lounger next to me.

"Dad, I'm not lazy. I'm in energy-saving mode." I smirk. I have, however, been lying on this lounger and soaking up the summer sun since I got here a few hours ago. It's my summer vacation from college. Lounging is my middle name.

He chuckles. "I'm glad you're home, Blake. I've missed you."

"Missed you too," I admit. "What's been going on? Fill me in."

"You see it." He waves his hand around Ramsey and Deacon's backyard. "The only thing that's changed is us missing you."

"Dad, you act like I never come home. I'm an hour away in Atlanta," I remind him. I've come home for holidays, birthdays, and long weekends. My dad acts like I moved across the country.

"Too far," he grumbles, and my heart expands in my chest. I love my father. Hell, my entire family. I miss them while I'm away, but I also love college life and getting a taste of living on my own.

"You going soft on me, old man?" I tease.

"If that means missing my baby girl, then yes."

"You have me all summer," I remind him.

"I'm already dreading the day you go back."

"Stop." I laugh. "Go do manly things with your brothers."

He chuckles. "You sound more like your mother every day."

"Aw, you love me," I joke.

"Behave." He stands and bends to place a kiss to the top of my head. "Love you."

"I love you too, Daddy." He walks away, and I'm once again in my own little sun tanning corner of the yard for a total of five seconds before my mom and my aunts descend on me. All ten of them.

"These two loungers aren't big enough for all eleven of us," I tell them, sitting up and moving over to make room.

"Oh, we've got this," my aunt Palmer says as she shimmies into the other lounger. Scarlett, Crosby, Alyssa, and Jade sit with her as well. That leaves my mom, Courtney, Jordyn, Stella, and Ramsey who squeeze in with me.

"Told you." Palmer smirks.

"That's because these loungers are massive. They're doubles."

"But we still all fit," Ramsey says, sticking her tongue out at me.

"How's college?" Courtney asks.

"Good. I love my classes. My roommate, Grace, is nice, and we get along really well."

"Are you seeing anyone?" Stella asks.

"Nope," I say, popping the P . My mom has already asked me that question. In fact, she's asked me every time she talks to me.

"What? Does arm porn not exist in Atlanta?" Alyssa teases.

"You laugh, but come on. Look around. Look what I grew up with? Is it a surprise that my expectations are high?"

"She has a point," Crosby agrees with me.

"We've been to visit you on campus. We're not blind," Jade tells me.

"Jade Kincaid! Do I need to tell Uncle Orrin you have a wandering eye?" I tease.

She shrugs. "I'm married, not dead."

"You're remembering to use a golden ticket, right?" Jordyn asks me.

"Aunt Jordyn!" I exclaim.

"Honey, we just worry about you," Mom adds.

"We were your age once. We know that you're going to have to sift through the douchebags to find Mr. Right," Scarlett explains. "In the meantime, we want you to be safe, and we want you to know you can talk to us."

"About anything," Mom says.

"Is this an ambush? Is that what this is?" I'm trying to act offended, but my heart is so damn full from these incredible ladies.

"No." Palmer is quick to assure me. "We just want you to know you have support."

"I know, and I love you all for it." I really do. Growing up, I never lacked for love or support. My family may be loud and all up in my business, but if I'm being honest, I wouldn't want it any other way. We've always been open with communication, and I know that at any time, no matter what the situation, I could lean on every single member of my family.

"You're the oldest," Alyssa reminds me. "You're paving the way for the rest of them."

Including me, there are twenty-four grandkids. Twenty-four . I guess that's not bad, considering there are ten couples producing my generation. Orrin and Jade have two kids, Orion and Jaylynn. Brooks and Palmer have three, Remi, Leo, and Iris. Then there's my dad. He and my mom have me, Beckham, and Brooklyn. Sterling and Alyssa have Ivy and Wyatt. Rushton and Crosby have Caden and Ridley. Archer and Scarlett have Evie and Samuel. Ryder and Jordyn have Finn and Camila. Maverick and Stella have Ada and the twins, Ryan and Lacey. Merrick and Courtney have Henry, Harper, and Hazel. Ramsey and Deacon have Brynlee and Bohdi.

We're a large family and I know it's a lot to take in. I actually made a family tree for all of us in one of my marketing classes. My instructor assumed I made up all the names and was shocked to know it was all legit. When I told him Kincaids work hard and love harder, he just nodded. I got an A on the assignment, but I still think he thought I was blowing smoke up his ass. Fun times.

However, Alyssa is right. I'm the oldest. I'm the first of the kids to go off to college and be on my own. It's only natural they're going to hover just a little.

"Just know that we've got you," Courtney tells me.

"And never settle for anything less than the arm porn you deserve." Stella winks, and we all crack up laughing.

"Time to eat!" my grandpa calls out.

One by one, my mom and my aunts stand to head toward the back patio, and I trail along behind them, taking it all in. My dad, my uncles, and Deacon are all helping the kids, while my mom and my aunts jump in to help.

When I reach the patio area, my uncles each take turns hugging me tightly, and I'm thankful for my sunglasses to hide my emotions.

I wasn't lying when I said my expectations are high.

I won't settle for less than absolute love and adoration. The same love and adoration I grew up watching, and still see in my family each and every day. That kind of relationship is hard to find.

Or is it….