I look up just in time to see two women approaching. Not just two women, but one is none other than—
“You,” the same brunette that scolded me this morning shouts.
“You,” I snap back.
She crosses her arms defensively. “What the hell are you doing here?” I glance around the group of people to find everyone’s eyes on us.
It’s then I notice the similarities between her and the woman Finn has since pulled into his arms and is having a hushed conversation with.
Holy shit. No fucking way.
The women are identical, minus the faded pink streaks in Kate’s hair.
“Okay, pause on whatever the hell this is.” Finn waves his hand back and forth between our standoff. “But you better believe we will come back to it in a moment. Jax, this is Lauren. Lo, this is Jax.”
I hold out my hand in front, but she pulls me into a hug. I stumble into her arms, not expecting it. “It’s great to meet you in person.” She pulls back, and I run my hands down the front of my shirt and catch Finn chuckling beside us as Lauren takes her place back in his arms. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve heard so much about you. I feel like I’ve known you as long as Finn has.”
“No, it’s no problem at all. I feel the same. Thank you for welcoming me and Andy into your home.”
A grumble under Kate’s breath brings everyone’s attention to her. She stands there still like a statue. Unlike Lauren’s warm welcome, Kate’s scowl is as cold as a winter tundra.
Did she know who I was this morning? “And this is my twin sister, Kate. But it seems you two already know each other. Umm, which is how again?” She glances back at her husband, and he shrugs.
“He’s my dickhead neighbor I was just telling you about.” I don’t miss the emphasis on dickhead.
“Dickhead?” I arch a brow and cross my arms. It appears we both made quite an impression this morning if, hours later, she is talking to her sister about me. I clench my jaw to keep the smile from forming on my lips.
She scoffs and rolls her eyes. “Hey, if the shoe fits, buddy.” I can feel the venom laced through her voice. So maybe I was a little harsh this morning, but what the fuck is her deal now? “I’d call you worse, but there’s kids around.”
I snicker. Before I can respond to not let that stop her, Finn cuts in.
“Woah, woah. Hold up, what do you mean, neighbor? I thought you were moving into Bankhead Landing.”
I sigh and run a hand over my face. I forgot I hadn’t mentioned any of this to Finn yet. Like I said, it was all fucking last-minute and a nightmare.
“No, that fell through. It’s a long story.” One that I don’t need to tell in front of her. I don’t need her continued judgment right now. “I’ll tell you later. We ended up over on Birchwood. Right across the street from your…” I make direct eye contact as I sarcastically say, “Lovely sister-in-law here. She really knows how to welcome someone with open arms.” I nearly choke on my sarcasm.
Finn whistles. “Well, fuck me, this surely got interesting.” Yeah, no kidding. It’s bad enough this gorgeous woman is going to be right across the street, but now she’s always going to be around. Is this some sort of karma?
She opens her mouth to retort, but Andy comes running up, yelling my name. “Daddy! Daddy!”
I swoop him into my arms, and instantly, the frustration I’ve felt the last few moments falls away. “Daddy! Mr. Chase says I can come visit the firehouse and see the big rig. Isn’t that cool?” Before we left Seattle, Andy’s grandparents sent him a giant book of trucks, and he became obsessed with firetrucks on the drive to the East Coast. He pointed out every single one he saw—there were eighty-seven.
“Can we go? Can we go?” Andy squirms in my arms in excitement, and I tighten my grip to keep him from falling.
Chase approaches us, holding a sweaty Liam in his arms.
“I’m sure we can go soon if it’s not too much trouble.” I glance up to Chase for confirmation that my son isn’t telling little white lies.
“Nah, it’s no trouble at all. We can chat later and pick a day that works. I gotta get going, though. Welcome, Jax.” He slaps me on the back. “Let us know if you guys need anything.”
I nod. “Thanks, will do.”
Chase turns to the others and waves goodbye. “Sorry to run, guys, but duty calls.” Chase is a firefighter. He actually met his wife on a call, but that’s a whole other story. I watch as he heads over to Kelsey to hand off their son and kiss her goodbye.
A slight pain in my chest rips through me as I watch their interaction as a family. Moments like that were stolen from me. Courtney never even got to hold her son and smile at him lovingly, like Kelsey is with Liam. I completely block out the conversation around me as I intrude on their picture-perfect moment. I spent years angry that I didn’t even have just one photo of Court holding Andy. A part of me will always carry some form of anger—not only did I lose my wife, but Andy lost his mother. There are so many things that he didn’t get to experience because of that.
“Wow, you’re pretty,” Andy says, pulling me from my inner demons, his attention now on Lauren and Kate. “Isn’t she pretty?” His eyes are bouncing back and forth between the twins like a ping-pong match. Besides a show he watches on Disney Plus, I think this is his first experience with twins.
“Sure, buddy,” I say nonchalantly as I set him back down on the ground. But that’s the problem—Kate is pretty. I thought she was this morning hiding behind the hat and sunglasses, but now, fuck me sideways.
“Andy, you remember talking with Uncle Finn’s wife, Lauren, right?”
“Yep.” He buries his head in my leg, which is so out of character. “Daddy.” His blue eyes meet mine. “I need to go potty.”
I look up to find Kate staring, and I know there is a smart remark waiting on the tip of her tongue. Finn must sense it, too.
“Come on inside. I’ll show you the bathroom.” Finn extends his arm toward the house, and we follow him.
A not-so-hushed conversation begins over my shoulder between Lauren and Kate, but I try to ignore it. I huff out a long breath. What did I get myself into moving out here?