Page 155 of Reluctantly You
My new brother-in-law, Theo, is the only one who seems wary of this whole situation, but Logan and Basil assured me it’sjust how he is. Apparently, he’s like his cat, Curie, grumpy and suspicious.
Basil has had to make another makeshift kitty castle for Pants. It’s in the front room, much to Jeanette’s dismay.
“Yo, Mitch!” Logan says as he tosses me a large carrot. The goat, Vincent, is prancing along quickly, trying to get a nibble. If there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that goats are hungry fuckers. One of them snuck outside and ate some weed the other night while we were inside chatting.
It fell over and slept really well.
Apparently, this happens often.
“Good catch,” he says when I grab it and lean down, handing it to the goat. I’m pretty sure this is Goat-Zilla, Zilly for short. She’s shy, but likes to eat anything you give her.
Almost ate my finger once.
Didn’t know they were carnivorous.
“You couldn’t have had a better dad,” Magnus says as he sidles up to me, a drink in his hand. He’s still here with Sem, the kids home with his parents for a long week of fun.
“I’m here to support you,” he murmurs and then socks me in the stomach. It wasn’t hard at all and hurts his hand more than me. Sem growls, despite me just standing here. But fuck, I’m happy to have them both here.
Out of all of them, I’m happiest about Magnus. I don’t deserve it, and yet here he is.
Same with Max and Matt. They’ve taken time off work and are here with their spouses, hanging out in a weird Santa Cruz house because this guy is my dad.
He’s my dad.
And my brothers want to be here. For me. Supporting me.
Fuck if I can get used to it.
“He’s…different from what I’m used to,” I reply, and Magnus grins at me.
“Listen, when I met him, I wanted to adopt him. And here I am, lucky as fuck to have him as part of the family. This guy is gold. Did you know he sings to his strawberries at night?”
I arch an eyebrow at him, and he nods. “He told me the exact song he sings. It’s a lullaby.”
“Dad wouldn’t have been caught dead singing to plants.”
“He wouldn’t have been caught dead singing.”
“No. Did Mom ever sing to us?”
“Nope,” I reply.
Matt and Max meander up, drinks in their hands, celery sticking out from the top of each up.
“Basil made us these,” Matt says and takes a sip, shuddering. “They are very healthy.”
“He used his own tomatoes and celery,” Max whispers and then lets out a loud laugh before biting it back. “Can you believe this is your dad?”
I shake my head, my world spinning in unsure colors and hues. “No, I fucking don’t. But I’ll drink this damn drink.”
“He’s a nice guy,” Max says. “I think I may make him my dad, too. Do you think he’s up for applications?”
“I’m sure he is,” Magnus says.
“I think I may interview as well,” Matt replies. “Dad of the Year award.”
“Did someone say dad?” Basil cries, moving up toward us, a romaine lettuce head in his hand. He waves it around and peels a leaf off for Vincent, who is nibbling on Max’s shoe laces.