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Harlan entered first, followed by Chase, then Killian, then Grady. My parents brought up the rear.
“That God damn son of a bitch,” Killian said as his gaze raked over me.
“I don’t look that bad,” I protested.
“No, you don’t,” Smoke said in defense. “And you’re more than your looks anyway.”
Four pairs of eyes turned to look at Smoke, taking measure of him. My brothers were a healthy mix of both my parents, but they’d all inherited my father’s protective streak.
Smoke, laid up in bed, completely at their mercy, didn’t appear at all concerned. Grady shoved through the group of them and went to Smoke’s bedside and stared him down.
“You’re Grady,” Smoke said.
My brother nodded. “Yep.”
“Uhm, hi, Grady,” I said with snark. “Thanks for coming to see me.”
Grady’s expression softened and a slight smile appeared on his face. He walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed and then very gently embraced me.
“Dog pile,” Harlan announced.
“Harlan,” Mom warned.
“Chill, chill. I won’t do it.” Harlan rolled his eyes, but then he got on the bed. Killian and Chase quickly followed and before I knew it, I was in the middle of a sibling hug.
I closed my eyes and let out a sigh. There was nothing like family. My brothers drove me crazy, but they were there for me when I needed them.
There was a knock on the hotel door and I eased out of my brother’s arms. “Who is that? Did you order food?” I asked Smoke.
“No,” Smoke said.
“I’ll get the door,” Mom said as she walked to the exit.
“I don’t understand how you can live here,” Killian said to me. “Does this place have seasons?”
“Yeah, it has seasons,” Smoke said. “Hot and hotter.”
Mom was talking to someone by the front door and a moment later, she returned and Rach was with her, carrying a wicker gift basket with a big red bow.
“Rach,” I greeted in surprise.
“Hey Logan.” Her eyes bounced from me to Smoke. “I just wanted to drop this off—I wasn’t going to stay, I’ll come back tomorrow.”
“Hey, Rach.”
Rach turned in the direction of the voice and her eyes widened in surprise. “Chase. Hi.”
I watched my brother practically melt in front of her.
The room suddenly went quiet and Rach was the first to come out of the trance. “Sorry to interrupt family time. I’ll leave.”
“We should all go,” Mom said. “And give Smoke and Logan time to rest.”
One by one my brothers hugged me goodbye and left the hotel room. Rach followed suit.
“We’re going downstairs to have dinner with the boys,” Mom said. “You guys going to be okay on your own?”
“Yeah, we’ll be fine,” I said. “We’ve got food.”
