Accepting His Home Read online

  Troy scoffs and Amelia shoots him a warning glance. Troy gives her a sheepish grin and Sam guffaws, “I’ve never seen anyone handle Troy quite like that.”

  I grin, “That’s why she’s perfect for this family.” Troy grins and I can’t help but give him a little more shit, “He seriously is the biggest teddy bear when it comes to Amelia, only to be rivaled by Walsh.”

  Amelia winks at me and rises on her tip toes; she can barely ruffle Troy’s hair, but she manages it. She looks at her phone one more time, “Beckett and the guys are about to leave the shop.”

  Walsh squeals and everyone turns to look at him with wide eyes. No one moves as he slowly turns bright red. I bark out a laugh and everyone joins in, even Walsh. It was just so unexpected from a 6’3”, former MMA fighting, badass.

  Amelia goes and pours him a shot of whiskey. She brings it to him with a smirk, “I think you might need to take the edge off a little.”

  Walsh wags his eyebrows at her, “Let’s smoke, that’ll take the edge off.”

  Amelia sighs and rubs her belly, “That’s what I’m missing the most right now.” Walsh looks guilty, but she gives his shoulder a squeeze, “You know where everything is, go right ahead.”

  Walsh takes the shot in one go and then kisses Amelia’s cheek, “Thanks Sweetcheeks, you’re the best.” He pitches his voice lower, “Just so you know, I’m most thankful this year for you coming into our lives.”

  Amelia’s eyes well up with tears and Olivia wraps her up in a hug and chastises Walsh, “You know she’s extra emotional right now. Banks better not catch you making her cry.”

  Walsh wraps both of them up in a hug before heading to the living room and announcing, “Banks and the guys are on their way, I’m rolling up in the living room. Do with that what you will.”

  Amelia moves toward the kitchen to check on everything. The HS guys move into the kitchen with her along with Nate; Ellen and Sam move toward the living room, which shocks me.

  Olivia and I wait in the dining room for a moment and grin at each other. I lean down and kiss her, murmuring against her lips, “I love you, little fairy.”

  Olivia sighs in contentment, “I love you, Babe.” She runs her hand down my chest and winks up at me, “We might have to find a dark corner to slink off to a little later.”

  My hand travels down her back and squeezes her ass, “Oh, you’re playing with fire, Livy.”

  She bats her eyelashes at me, and I can’t help but chuckle. She glances between the kitchen and the living room, “Which way do you want to go?”

  I watch Amelia moving through the kitchen. She’s chatting with Ryder and Nate who are watching her; I can feel their desire to step in and help her. I nod that way, “I’m going that way, for now. I want to check in with Amelia.” I look to the living room and laugh because Ellen has put herself between Troy and Walsh, both with amused looks on their faces. I don’t remember her smoking cannabis with us before. Huh. I nod into the living room, “You go that way and help Ellen. Looks like she’s going to smoke today.”

  Olivia giggles, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Sam smoke either.” She kisses my neck. “See you soon, Babe.”

  She turns to walk into the living room, and I smack her ass. She laughs and the sound makes me so fucking happy. A huge grin is spread across my face as I head into the kitchen and straight for Amelia. She’s about to open the oven, but I get to her first, pick her up and rotate her away from the oven.

  She sasses, “Oh, you’re going to caveman me too, now, Zeke?”

  I take the oven mitts out of her hands and nod, “Yep,” I pop the p. “Now tell me what you were about to do.”

  Amelia huffs, “I was just going to pull out the green beans for a little while so I could warm up the ham.”

  I grin at her, “I can do that for you, Amelia. Why don’t you go sit down with Ryder and Nate?”

  She rolls her eyes, but she heads that way as I take out the huge casserole dish of green bean casserole and get the ham in the oven. The delicious smells that greet me when I open the oven make my mouth water. I wonder how much Walsh helped with this or if he was just Amelia’s sous chef.

  Amelia gives Blake a huge smile as she walks around the island. Watching a huge burly man like Blake practically melt for Amelia is hilarious, but totally predictable now that I know Amelia. She wraps an arm around Blake and gives him a squeeze; he wraps his arm around her shoulders. She looks up at him with a sly smile. “Are you sure you aren’t still growing, Blake. I swear you get taller every time I see you.”

  Blake chuckles and bops Amelia on the nose, “What do you need, little one?”

  She gives him a wide-eyed innocent expression, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Blake quirks his eyebrow and Amelia laughs, “Okay, you caught me. Though I do think you’re legitimately getting taller. Or…you don’t think I’m shrinking, do you? I thought I would have a few more years until I started to get shorter.”

  Blake shakes his head, a huge smile on his face, “I’m pretty sure I stopped growing like 10 years ago, but who knows.” He shrugs. “What do you need me to do? I’m at your disposal.”

  Amelia grins, “You guys are too good to me.” Blake chuckles and shakes his head in admonishment. “Could you please get the turkey in the fryer? It’ll take a little over an hour to cook so it’ll be perfect timing. Walsh set up the fryer a little bit away from the house on some pavers, you know, for safety.” Blake grins at her with pride in his eyes; yeah, he likes us being safe. “Walsh also prepped it for me while he mumbled something about raw meat and pregnant women even though that’s not really a thing as long as you use common sense.” Amelia huffs and rolls her eyes making Ryder and Nate laugh.

  Blake kisses the top of Amelia’s head, “I can do that, little one.”

  A worried look crosses Amelia’s face. “It’s only a 20-pound turkey.” She looks around the kitchen and worries her lip, “Do you think we’re going to have enough food?”

  Nate chuckles and I throw my head back and laugh. “Amelia, that ham I just put in the oven had to be at least 15 pounds.” I flip on the internal lights of the ovens and see that the double ovens are full of mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, macaroni and cheese, stuffing and carrots glazed in something delicious looking. I point to the ovens, “These are the biggest casserole dishes I’ve ever seen and they’re full. We have plenty of food.”

  Blake gives her a squeeze before grabbing the prepared turkey already in the frying basket on the counter. She’s used a disposable tray to keep it all contained. He peers into the oven as he passes and inhales. He mutters, “Fuck, that smells good.” I grin at him as he turns to Amelia, “There’s going to be plenty of food, Amelia and it looks delicious.”

  Amelia grins at Blake before he heads out back and she slides onto a stool at the island next to Nate. She gives his shoulder a squeeze and a warm smile full of empathy. “I’m sorry about your parents.” He gives her a sad smile and reaches out and squeezes her knee. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve wanted to meet you since I met Olivia and she told me about her family. I knew you had to be an amazing person to help raise such an awesome individual. I’m sure it wasn’t easy especially since you were both grieving.”

  Pride covers Nate’s face, “I didn’t have to do much raising since she was 16 and making a home for her was the easiest decision I’ve ever made.”

  Amelia gives a nod, “Of course. That’s what families do.”

  A huge grin covers Nate’s face and he pulls Amelia in for a hug. I start grazing on a few of the things Amelia’s set out on the island. When Nate and Amelia separate, she eyes Ryder who has basically staked his claim on the brie.

  She quirks an eyebrow at him and he grins and shrugs. Amelia leans toward Nate conspiratorially, “Did you know that Ryder secretly loves going craft shopping?”

  I bark out a laugh and Ryder blushes and scoffs, “Only because I needed to pick out the yarn for another hat since I love the one you gave
me so much.”

  Amelia beams at him, “It’s okay, you big softie, craft stores are for everyone. No height maximums or anything.”

  I hear Olivia laugh from the other room as Blake comes back in from outside and joins Duncan and Grayson across the kitchen. The sound tugs at me. Amelia grins at me, gives me a wink and nods toward the living room. “You should go get your girl.”

  I try to hide my grin, but I fail completely. Nate smiles at me and it fills me with a sense of acceptance I didn’t realize that I even needed. I look around the kitchen and smooth my beard, “I just realized, I haven’t seen cranberry sauce. Can you have Thanksgiving without it?”

  Amelia huffs and Ryder looks worried, I’m not sure if it’s from the lack of cranberry sauce or out of fear that Amelia will be offended. “I didn’t make cranberry sauce.”

  Ryder’s eyes go wide, okay it was definitely about the cranberry sauce then. He mumbles, “That’s the best part.”

  Amelia gives his shoulder a little shove, “I did make something else though, it might be a little unconventional, but my mom’s been serving it at Thanksgiving for years.” She looks at me, “Zeke, would you mind grabbing the bowl from the fridge, I think you’ll be able to figure out which one.”

  I open the fridge and see a ceramic bowl that looks like a cranberry and pull it out. I raise my eyebrow as I turn and Amelia nods. I place it front of Ryder who opens it and looks a little unsure.

  Ryder gives Amelia a dubious look and she laughs. “You need to do more wandering in the grocery store, I swear.”

  Ryder grunts, “Woman, you take too damn long in the store and you know it.”

  Amelia shakes her head, “Expand your horizons Ryder. It’s cranberry salsa. It has cranberries, oranges, granny smith apples and a few other things including jalapenos. Grab a spoon or put some on a cracker and give it a try.”

  I pop my hip on the kitchen island and lean toward Nate, “Ryder always hurried Amelia around the store for the month they were in charge of protecting her.”

  Nate nods in understanding and chuckles, “Then he should go grocery shopping with Sam.” He rolls his eyes, “He never lets me wander.”

  Ryder grumbles something about sticking to the list but uses a plain cracker to scoop up some of the salsa and pops it into his mouth. A slow grin spreads across his face. “Okay, that’s delicious. It’s fruity and,” he takes a swig of his beer, “it has a kick to it.”

  I grab a spoon and grab a bite and Ryder’s right, it’s fresh and bright and it’ll be great with the turkey. I love spicy food, so the heat level is good for me, milder than I’m used to. “Damn, that’s good.”

  Amelia winks at me as I put the bowl back in the fridge and is about to say something when we hear the front door open and the voices in the living room cease. Amelia’s brow furrows but then a huge grin spreads across her face as Beckett shouts out, “Baby?”

  Amelia’s headed toward the door in the next heartbeat and shoots over her shoulder, “Come on, lets welcome our rock star guests.” She barely contains the squeal.

  CHAPTER 16

  ZEKE

  By the time I make it into the living room amongst the HS guys and Nate, Beckett’s just pulling back from kissing Amelia and holding his hand against her belly. The four guys of Suburban Outcasts are standing behind Beckett and eyeing the two pipes making their way around the living room.

  Beckett tucks Amelia in next to him and turns to face Cole, Gavin, Booker and Elliot. They’re all tall guys and I’m sure they have no problem getting attention from women. Booker has a grin on his face that reminds me of Troy and Walsh.

  Elliot looks like a typical surfer dude and the only reason he stands out to me right now is because of the way he’s eyeing Olivia. Olivia glances at me with wide eyes which I’m sure has more to do with the fact that rock stars are at our family Thanksgiving than anything else. At least, that better be the fucking reason.

  I stalk over to Olivia and pick her up off the couch, settle down on the couch and pull her onto my lap. I don’t give a fuck if it makes me look like a caveman. She’s mine, rock star or no rock star.

  Amelia chuckles before taking in how the SO guys are eyeing the pipe in Walsh’s hands. Walsh’s eyes are so big I’m afraid they’re going to bug out of his head. “Well, since no one here seems to have any chill.” The guys grin at her, “Let’s get the introductions out of the way and then you guys make yourselves at home.” She turns toward the rest of us, “I trust everyone is aware that we do not make PR nightmares via social media for people we welcome into our lives.”

  Cole barks out a laugh, pulls Amelia out of Beckett’s arms and wraps her up in a hug. Her eyes go wide, and she blushes. I can’t help but chuckle; she shoots me a warning look. Cole’s voice is deep and rich, makes sense from the lead singer. “You must be Amelia. We’ve heard a lot about you today. Congratulations on the baby.”

  Beckett pulls Amelia back to his side and a look of relief flashes across her face. Olivia chuckles and Amelia narrows her eyes at her which only makes Olivia laugh harder.

  Cole points down the line, “This is Gavin on drums, Booker on guitar and Elliot on bass.”

  Everyone laughs and Amelia takes over the introductions. “No one will be offended if you can’t remember all of us, we’re a big group.” She takes a deep breath. “Okay, that’s Ellen, Beckett’s mom,” she points, “you’ll have to swap stories about traveling because she’s really become a globe trotter in recent years.”

  Ellen gives a warm smile and a little wave. Beckett furrows his brow. The surprise is evident in his voice, “Have you been smoking today?”

  Ellen giggles like she’s not over 60 and it’s fucking adorable. “Yup,” she pops the p.

  Beckett’s eyes are wide and Amelia laughs. She kisses the underside of Beckett’s jaw, “Let’s table that for now.” Beckett grumbles something under his breath and Amelia rolls her eyes. “Anyway, now the rest of the artist at Banks Ink. are next.” She points at us each in turn, “Dex, he’s the master of portraits. Zeke works in mostly black, white and grey. Olivia is your girl if you want dark shit with a cute edge and who doesn’t.” I growl. Amelia’s eyes widen slightly, “Well, clearly she’s not your girl. She’s Zeke’s girl.” She huffs, “Jeez, cavemen.” The band chuckles.

  She turns toward Walsh and Troy. Walsh’s eyes are still bugging out of his head and I’m not sure if he’s breathing. Troy is barely containing his laughter at Walsh’s reaction. A mischievous grin spreads across Amelia’s face.

  Walsh groans, “Fuck, you’re about to say something embarrassing, aren’t you?”

  Amelia gives him an innocent expression and Beckett barks out a laugh. “I would never.” She gives him a sweet smile. “This is Troy, he’s the American traditionalist. Walsh is the guy for traditional Japanese work.” She smirks, “They’re really good sharers.”

  Troy barks out a laugh and Walsh blushes again. Amelia continues as if Walsh isn’t plotting her demise. “That’s Nate and Sam, Olivia’s brother and his husband. I just met them today so I can’t say anything embarrassing about them.” She points to them before pointing to Andrea and Steve. “That’s Andrea she manages Banks Ink. and used to work with me. There’s not enough time in the day to tell you all the embarrassing things I know about her and she knows too much about me, so I’ll leave it at that. Steve, her boyfriend, owns a club downtown, The Den.”

  Andrea shares a smile with Steve like they have a secret. Amelia’s already looking at the Higgins Security guys. “The four giants over there are the newest addition to our little family. That mountain of a man is Blake Higgins; he runs Higgins Security along with Ryder, Grayson and Duncan.” Amelia looks at them fondly, “They helped save my life not that long ago.”

  Andrea clears her throat, “You got something there wrong Amelia.” Amelia furrows her brow and Andrea smiles wide. “Steve’s not my boyfriend anymore.” She holds up her hand to show off a diamond engagement ring, “He’s my fiancé now.”


  Olivia squeals and jumps off my lap before I can stop her and practically tackles Andrea; Amelia’s right behind her. The girls are admiring Andrea’s ring to a chorus of congratulations and fist bumps for Steve. Amelia looks around the room with a self-satisfied smile. Beckett pulls her against him and kisses her temple and caresses her belly with a huge grin on his face. He murmurs something in her ear that I can’t hear but I would bet is dirty as fuck from the way Amelia blushes.

  Olivia comes back to me and sits on my lap and wraps her arms around my neck. She whispers, “I love you so much, Zeke.”

  I kiss her temple and catch Nate’s content smile at his sister’s happiness. Fuck, that feels good. That I can make her happy and that the people she loves most accept me, not just in her life, but accept me into theirs.

  Blake looks at his watch, “The turkey should be done in about 30 minutes.”

  Amelia grins at him, “Just enough time.” She turns toward the guys from SO, “You guys get in on the rotation, I can tell you’re dying to. There’s beer and spiked apple cider in the kitchen.”

  Cole grins at her, “Thanks for inviting us into your home and your family for Thanksgiving.”

  Olivia pipes up, “That’s what families do.” She shrugs, “You guys might be rock stars with the fame and the fortune, but you still need a place to belong. Where you just fit.”

  Booker’s face lights up as he looks between the other guys in his band and I can see them all relaxing. “That’s how it was when we met,” he motions to the other guys in the band, “we just clicked like we’d known each other forever.”

  Troy grins from ear to ear, he’s the biggest believer that when it’s right it’s just right and that’s how our family will continue to grow and strengthen. The guys from SO may be famous as fuck and richer than sin, but they’ll never be above the need for family.