Page 84 of Far from Destined

Macon had found me, had fought with me, had foughtforme.

And now, I would spend my days fighting for him, fighting for us…and fighting for our future.

He was my destiny.

And I thanked God I’d finally seen the truth.

Chapter 21

Macon

“This is seriously the best smoker,”Prior began again, and I groaned, shaking my head at my brother’s antics. Every time we came to Liam’s cabin, Prior went on and on about the smoker. Well, if I were honest with myself, all of us did. Liam had a great setup up here, and I was a little jealous. However, Liam was generous with the keys, and any of his family and most of the Montgomery cousins for that matter, were always welcome. And since Liam was married to Arden, I got to come up and visit, too.

Today was Arden’s birthday, and we were celebrating in style. Many of Liam’s family members were here. I couldn’t keep all of their names straight, even though I had tried, and there was a flowchart.

There were just too many of them.

However, the entire Brady family was here, even my parents. I had a feeling they might be moving back any day now, considering how our family kept growing. They already had a new grandson in Joshua.

The boys were out in the back now, my father playing catch with Joshua as he giggled and ran around the bases. Thebaseswere old pillows that we had found and Liam wasn’t too ecstatic about us using, but it worked.

Dakota was talking with Hazel and Paris in hushed tones, and I had a feeling it had to do with a certain pact sister who was not here.

Myra hadn’t been pulled into the pact yet, but any day now, she would be forced on her blind date.

She was the last of them, and for that, I was kind of nostalgic.

Their blind date pact had brought the women into our lives, most especially, Dakota into mine.

“You have that cheesy grin on your face again,” Cross whispered.

I did my best to wipe it off, but I couldn’t.

“I can’t help it. I’m happy.”

“Now that is the best thing you have ever said.” Prior leaned against the railing.

“Seriously, man, that makes me happy, too,” Liam added, turning the steaks on the grill.

“I still hate that she’s standing on her crutches and not sitting down like she should be,” I called over my shoulder.

“It’s been two minutes. I’m allowed to stand,” Dakota singsonged and then went back to whispering with the other women.

I snorted, and the men just rolled their eyes.

“Women,” they all said at the same time and then ducked as random chips started flying.

“We heard that,” a few women called from the other side of the porch.

“Was that my woman, or no?” Liam asked.

“No, I think that was either your sibling or cousin. I have no idea how many there are of you,” I said, shaking my head.

“It’s okay. Sometimes we even wear nametags at family reunions. It’s the only reason I can ever figure out who my brother is,” Liam added deadpan.

I snorted and took a sip of my beer. “And I thought it was bad with the five of us.”

“What are you saying, bud?” Arden said, pinching my side. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of my baby sister’s head.