I arched beneath his touch. “Talking’s overrated.”
“Yeah.” He ripped the blankets from the bed and devoured me with his deep blue eyes. “It really is.”
When we joined everyone for breakfast an hour later, things appeared normal, well as normal as our family got. Nixon was cleaning guns, Chase was arguing with Mil about chickens—I didn’t want to ask. Trace was pouring herself a third or possibly fourth cup of coffee. Sergio was staring at the wall, probably pondering ways to kill things and cereal was everywhere.
Arguing burst out between Trace and Chase the minute I sat down, again with the chickens.
I grinned and poured myself a cup of coffee, briefly meeting Tex’s gaze. He yawned and then said loudly. “So Nixon, I slept with your sister last night.”
All talking ceased.
A vein on the side of Nixon’s temple pulsed, he calmly set down his gun, still pointing it in Tex’s direction and leaned forward. “And by sleep you mean, you were guarding her virtue or taking it?”
Tex winked at me. “I took it.”
Nixon stood.
Tex laughed and crossed his arms. “Three times?” He scratched his head. “Or was it four? Mo?”
Chase burst out laughing making everyone else erupt into laughter as well.
Nixon sat down and groaned into his hands.
“Chin up!” Tex grinned. “We’re just trying to make you an Uncle, what’s the harm in that?”
“I’m seriously too young for this type of stress.”
“Gray hair.” Trace coughed and pointed at Nixon.
His eyes widened in absolute horror.
“Kidding.” Trace leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You, silver fox, you.”
“I miss years ago when you guys were scared to tease me.” Nixon rolled his eyes towards the ceiling. “Now it’s like I point and shoot and you look at me like, what? That all you got?”
Tex raised his hand.
“Not now, Tex,” Nixon snapped, though he was smiling.
Phoenix wandered into the room and sat in one of the empty chairs. He looked horrible but also… at peace.
“You good?” Nixon hit his back twice.
“Yeah.” Phoenix reached for a coffee mug and grabbed the coffee. “I really think I am.”
“How bad ass is this?” Swear Tex couldn’t wipe the grin from his face if he tried.
“What?” Chase asked.
“The four of us.” Tex’s eyes were clear as he looked at each guy. “The Elect… together again… bosses.”
Nixon sat back, his face one of awe.
Phoenix grinned, probably for the first time since he’d died and come back to life. And Chase nodded his head in amusement.
“Just so you guys are aware.” Mil held up her hand. “This doesn’t mean you get to build a tree fort and put capes on. You’re men, no more carving names in trees and running around in your underwear.”
“Didn’t mind it last night,” Chase muttered.
“Chase!” Phoenix and Nixon said in unison both covering their years.
“Like I said.” Tex lifted his coffee cup. “It’s good. It’s really good.”
“Yeah.” Nixon met his gaze. “It is.”