Chapter 6

CHAPTER

SIX

Merrick

I guide Courtney into my house with her hand locked in mine. We were both quiet on the drive. I'm sure for very different reasons. Courtney is worried she caused problems for me, and me? Well, I'm pissed that she didn't stand up for herself. Leading her to the kitchen, I stop when we get to the island. Turning, I drop her hand and move to grip her hips and lift her up to sit in front of me.

Her legs automatically part, allowing me space to move in close to her. Bracing my hands on the counter on either side of her, I fight the urge to pull her into my arms.

Fuck, this is not how this was supposed to go.

I wasn't supposed to feel this insane attraction to her. Bowing my head, I focus on my breathing. I've never felt this overwhelming sense of protection for someone outside my family.

I'm not mad at her. I'm mad at the circumstances. We said we were in this, and she needs to accept that. Unless she's changed her mind. I don't think that's the case. I think my shy girl is just used to accepting what comes her way and rolls with the punches. That's the origin of my anger. I don't want her to feel like she has to accept the treatment Tammy gave her.

"I'm sorry." Her words are whispered. There's a crack in her voice, telling me she's not unaffected by the interaction at the diner, or maybe it's my reaction. Either way, she's feeling it.

Lifting my head, I stare into her big brown eyes that do nothing to hide the worry she's feeling. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

"She wouldn't have made a scene if I weren't with you. If you hadn't agreed to help me." She looks down at her lap, avoiding my gaze.

She can't see it. She can't see how incredible she is.

I have three months to show her.

Standing tall, I move my hands to cradle her cheeks, lifting her eyes back to mine. "You did nothing wrong." I hold her gaze, willing her to believe me. "The only thing you could have done differently is stand up to her." I will her to see the sincerity in my gaze. I need her to know she deserves to be treated better, and she needs to own that.

"I didn't want to embarrass you further." Her eyes mist with tears, and I fucking hate that. I hate to see any woman cry, but the misting in Courtney's big brown eyes has me wanting to drive back to the diner and demand Tammy be fired. It wasn't even that big a deal. I know that. However, it affected me profoundly that Courtney was so blatantly dismissed to her face.

"Baby, you're not an embarrassment." Those brown eyes of hers widen, then soften at my term of endearment as she blinks, clearing the emotion from her eyes. "If you think for a single second that I'm ashamed to call you mine, you're wrong. We said we were in this together, Courtney. I'm all in, and you need to be too. That means if someone like Tammy hits on me, and you're around, you make it known that I'm yours. That's what we decided. For the next three months, I'm yours, and you're mine. We might be pretending, but that declaration still means the same thing."

"I'm sorry."

"Stop. Just stop." Dropping my hands, I lean in until my forehead is touching hers. My heart hammers against my rib cage as I try to harness this raging fire inside me at the way Tammy disrespected her. "Don't apologize." Closing my eyes, I will myself to let go of the anger. It's not until I feel her hands in my hair, and the spark of electricity that shoots through my veins at her touch, that I lift my gaze to find her watching me.

"I'm all in, Merrick. I'll do better."

"Court, it's not that you need to do better. Baby, you need to understand that you can't let anyone walk all over you. You're beautiful and sexy, and smart, and any man would be damn lucky to be able to call you his. I'm that man. For the next three months, you're mine, and I want you to own that. Claim me. Don't let the Tammys of the world make you think less of yourself. They don't hold a candle to you."

"That's scary, Merrick." The look in her eyes tells me that confession was difficult for her.

"Talk to me. Why is it so scary to stand up for yourself?"

She's quiet for several heartbeats, and when she finally replies, her answer floors me.

"We're pretending. I'm not good at faking or hiding my emotions. I'm afraid that if I let myself think that way, I'll end up with a broken heart at the end of this."

I don't know what to say to that. I open my mouth to try to find the words, but nothing comes to me. I never once considered she might fall for me, or me for her, for that matter. I don't think I'm at risk. I know what this is, but she's opening herself up to me, something I know is scary on its own coming from her.

"I know it's a risk, and if you want to walk away from this, we can." Something twists in my gut. I ignore it and keep my attention on her.

Her eyes find mine. "Is that what you want?"

"No." My reply is instant and absolute. "No, I don't want to walk away. I want to help bring you out of your shell. I want to show you that you deserve more than letting others tell you how to live your life. I want you to have the confidence to tell the Tammys of the world to fuck off." I smirk, and a small smile tugs at the corner of her mouth.

"My family means well," she defends.

"I know they do, but it's your life, Court. It's your mind, your body, your choice." I'm making this more than it needs to be, but I think it's important she gains that confidence. It's my mission for her to be who she is unapologetically.

"It's really not that bad. My mom wants to see me happy."

I nod. It's not just about her mom pressuring her. I saw firsthand today the way she shrinks into herself. "And the Tammys of the world?"

"I didn't want to cause an issue for you or more embarrassment," she defends.

"Regardless, you stand up for yourself. Always. You can't always worry about others when it comes down to defending yourself against the ugly of the world."

"I know who I am, Merrick. I don't need to announce it to the world. I can let their words roll off my shoulders."

"There will be times when that's best, but today, today , you should have made it known that I was yours. That's what we've decided. Even if it was just leaning into me, wrapping your arms around me, something to prove to her that you're mine, and she doesn't stand a chance in hell. You didn't need to use your words. Sometimes actions speak louder."

She swallows hard. "Why is this bothering you so much?" She tilts her head to the side as she studies my reaction.

I smile at her for speaking her mind as I think about her question. The only answer I can come up with is that I wanted her to tell Tammy she was mine. I wanted her to claim me, to prove she's in this. What other reason would there be? "I never want you to feel less than when you're with me," I say instead of telling her my thoughts.

Her hands leave my hair as she pulls me into a hug. "Thank you, Merrick," she whispers.

My arms wrap around her as I return her embrace. She pulls back first and offers me a shy smile. "Now what?"

"We have the rest of the day to do whatever." I wink at her just as my cell phone rings. I dig it out of my pocket and see Maverick's name on the screen. I show her the screen before I answer. "Hey, man."

"Mer, what are you doing right now?"

"Courtney and I just had lunch. What's up?"

"The twins were up all night, and Ada is wound for sound." He laughs.

"Say no more. I'm on my way."

"I can call one of the others if you have plans."

"We do, coming to rescue you and your wife. We're leaving now."

"Thanks, Mer."

"I got you, brother." I end the call, sliding the phone back into my pocket. "That was Maverick. The twins were up all night, and Ada is full of energy."

"What can we do?" she asks immediately, making me smile.

"I told him we'd come over and help. That we'd keep Ada occupied for a while and watch the twins while they catch up on sleep. You don't have to come. I hate to bail on you, but they need the help while the twins are this little."

"Of course I'm coming with you. Three to one doesn't sound nearly as good as three to two."

"Thank you." I press my lips to her forehead and lift her off the island.

"Something you don't know about me, Merrick Kincaid, is that I'll never pass up a baby or toddler fix. Let's go." She tugs on my hand, making me laugh as we lock up the house and head out to my truck.

"My baby," Ada says, as she sits next to me on the couch. I'm holding Ryan in my arms while he smiles up at me.

"That's right. This is your baby brother."

"My baby." She points at Courtney, who is sitting on my other side holding Lacey.

"Your baby sister," I tell Ada.

"Wuv dem." She leans over with the intention of kissing Ryan's little head.

"Be easy, Ada bug." Bug is what my brother calls her, and the rest of us have altered it and started calling her Ada bug.

"Otay." She nods, pressing a soft kiss to her little brother's head. She climbs down and moves to Courtney and Lacey and does the same.

"You're the best big sister," Courtney praises.

"Dats me." Ada places her hands on her chest and smiles.

"That's you." Courtney beams at her. "Are you hungry?" she asks.

Maverick and Stella told us she didn't eat much for breakfast or lunch and not to be surprised if she asks for a snack.

"Apple," Ada says excitedly and takes off for the kitchen.

"She loves apples and peanut butter," I explain to Courtney.

"I'll go help her." She stands with Lacey in her arms.

"I'll take her." I move Ryan to one arm and nod for her to put Lacey in the other.

"I'm not ready to give her up yet," she confesses. "I'll manage." She moves to the kitchen. With the open-floor plan, I can see her as she gets into the refrigerator and pulls out a container of diced apples.

"How did you know those were in there?" I call out to her.

"Stella told me before they went to take a nap." She reaches up into the cabinet and grabs a paper plate and an individually wrapped container of peanut butter. She effortlessly opens the peanut butter, places a few apple slices on the plate for Ada, and carries it back to the living room, setting it on the table. "Sit with Uncle Merrick while you eat," she tells my niece.

"Otay." Ada does as she's told and grabs a slice of apple, dipping it in the peanut butter, and taking a large bite.

"Smaller bites, Ada bug. You don't want to choke."

She nods as she chews and goes back for more peanut butter on her slice.

Courtney hands me a bottle of water and sets one for herself on the end table as she gingerly sits back down. "Look at that smile," she coos down at Lacey. "You need to stay awake so Mommy and Daddy can get some sleep tonight."

"Mer story," Ada says. She rushes off to the small bookcase in the corner of her play area in the living room, before racing back to me to read her a book.

"Don't you want to finish your apples?" I ask. Leaving the book on my lap, she turns back to the table, grabbing an apple slice in each hand, abandoning her peanut butter, and trying to climb on the couch next to me. I offer her my hand, helping her up, and she snuggles close.

"Let me take him," Courtney says, nodding toward Ryan.

"Are you sure? Both of them are a lot."

"I'm sure." Her smile is as bright as the midday sun as she nods toward her open arm for me to place Ryan there.

"Let me know if it's too much. We can put them in their swings."

"Nope. I'm getting all the snuggles." She's grinning as she stares at my niece and nephew in her arms. I love that she's so at ease here with my family, and that she's so willing to jump in and help out.

As soon as Ryan is in her arms, Ada crawls into my lap. She snuggles in while I read her a story. Before I'm even halfway through, she's sound asleep with her apples untouched, still in her grip.

"I'm going to pry those apples from her little hands and take her to her bed. You okay?"

Courtney smiles softly. "I'm perfect, Merrick. We'll be right here." She looks down at my niece and nephew, who are both slumbering peacefully in her arms.

"I'll be right back." I slide the apple slices from Ada's hands without waking her up, and stand, carrying her to her room. I get her set up in bed, making sure to turn on the monitor that I know is sitting in the living room in case she wakes up.

I rush back to the living room to help Courtney with the twins. "Let's put them in their swings."

"Aw, do we have to?" She pouts, and it's fucking adorable.

"We do. You need a break."

"Fine," she grumbles softly.

"I'll bring you back whenever you need your baby snuggle fix," I assure her.

"I'm holding you to that, Merrick Kincaid," she says, as I take Ryan from her arms and move him to his swing. She does the same with Lacey and follows me back to the couch. "They're precious. All three of them."

"They are," I agree.

Her phone rings, and she rushes to silence it. "It's my mom." Her voice is soft as her eyes dart to where the twins are still sleeping with no care in the world.

"Answer it. You were going to call her, anyway."

"I don't want to wake them," she whispers.

"You won't."

She gives me a look of uncertainty before she accepts the call. "Hey, Mom," she whispers.

I pull my phone out of my pocket and scroll through the pictures I took of Ada and the twins when we first got here.

"I'm with Merrick at his brother's place helping with his nieces and nephew while Maverick and Stella get some sleep. The twins were up most of the night," she whispers. "Yes, I'm with Merrick."

I glance over and grin, and she rolls her eyes playfully.

"I was going to call you, but Maverick called, and we came straight here after lunch." She pauses. "I'll call you later or tomorrow to set something up. I don't know how long we'll be here, and I don't want to talk too loud and wake anyone up. The whole house is sleeping peacefully." She pauses. "Okay. Love you too. Bye." She ends the call and places her phone on the couch next to her.

"She's persistent." I chuckle.

"You have no idea."

"Moms love me," I tell her, making her sputter with quiet laughter.

"I have no doubt." She shakes her head, but her smile never leaves her face. "Is there anything we can do for them? I think I'll see what they have so that I can make them dinner. Is that okay?"

"Absolutely. I'm sure they would both appreciate that. We don't have to make anything, though. I can run out, or I can give you money and you can run out and grab some takeout."

"Nah, they need some home cooking. Come on." She stands and offers me her hand, and I take it without hesitation. It seems our earlier conversation helped her, or maybe it was the way an exhausted Stella and Maverick welcomed her into their home and were grateful she was here with me. Regardless of the reason, she's open, and her smile has been permanent since I hung up the phone with Maverick earlier.

She guides me into the kitchen and starts to rummage through the cabinets. She turns around with a smile. "Chicken and noodles?" she asks.

"Do they have what you need?"

"They do. Crock-Pot?"

"I think it's on the shelf in the laundry room. I'll check." Sure enough, I find it and place it on the kitchen counter, plugging it in. Courtney gets to work making dinner for my brother and his family.

"Can I help?"

"Yes. Unload the dishwasher so they won't have to do it after they eat."

"How do you know it's full?"

"Because they are raising nine-week-old twins with a two-and-a-half-year-old. They're exhausted, and unloading the dishwasher is the last thing on their minds."

She's right and smirks when I tell her so as I unload the dishwasher and reload it with the dishes in the sink. Once dinner is in the Crock-Pot, and the dishwasher is unloaded, reloaded, and running, Courtney suggests we do a load of laundry as she starts wiping down counters and sweeping the kitchen floor.

"You don't have to do all of this," I tell her.

She shrugs. "I can only imagine how crazy life is for them while they navigate two babies and a toddler. I don't mind. Besides, we're here to help, and it's all things we can do that won't wake anyone up. I'm certain all of these things won't go unnoticed, at least not by Stella." She chuckles.

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing. Just that men sometimes don't think of these kinds of things like women do."

"I'll have you know, I'm all about the domestic tasks. My house was clean."

She grins. "Yes, but did you think to make them dinner, do the dishes, sweep the floor, or do a load of laundry? My guess is if you were here on your own, you'd get the kids down, and then chill on the couch."

"So much sass," I say, tickling her side. She smacks her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing. "But you're right, and, Court—" I pull her into my embrace and kiss just below her ear. "I'm proud of you for speaking up."

"It's just you."

"It's a start." I wink at her and head off to gather the towels from the kids' bathroom to start a load of laundry. There's a smile on my face, and it's all because of my new girlfriend.