Tripp stopped and looked back at me. “Because, she overheard Paxton telling Amelia that Maebh was…well that she was…you know.”
“No, I don’t know.”
Looking like he was uncomfortable as hell, he answered in a low mumble. “A virgin.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake. Does the whole family know?”
He shrugged. “Pretty much. Mom freaked out and said she would have never pushed y’all together had she known and that we all had to come up here to save poor Maebh from the clutches of her manwhore son, Cord.”
My eyes went round. “She said that?”
He laughed. “I made most of that last part up, but Mom was worried. She didn’t want you to pressure Maebh.”
“Holy fuck, what makes her think I would do that?”
Tripp stared like I had just asked the dumbest question ever. “Listen, your track record with women alone was cause for her to worry. Plus, y’all just sort of started dating and Mom felt guilty for butting in.”
“Now she feels guilty. Now? She just fucking cock blocked me for the whole weekend, dude!”
Tripp tossed his head back and laughed.
“Tell me you’re not staying here all weekend? Christ, what time did everyone get up? Did you follow each other here?”
“Like a goddamn Parker family caravan. I don’t think I’ve seen Mom and Dad so happy though.”
“Let me get this straight.” I cleared my throat and scrubbed my hands down my face. “This weekend, the weekend I was supposed to spend alone, but really with Maebh, has now become a family weekend?”
He nodded. “Yep.” With the pop on that p, that bastard.
My eyes closed, and I groaned. “Fucking hell.”
Slapping me on the side of my arm, Tripp said, “Dude, I get it. I’d be pissed, too. If it was me, I’d pack my shit up and take Maebh back home and spend the weekend with her locked up at your place.”
My gaze drifted over his shoulder to my dad. He was walking toward us, a huge smile plastered on his face. He looked happy as hell, and Tripp knew I would never leave and go back to my place. I’d have to be resourceful is all.
“Cord, I tried to talk your mother into not coming.”
“He lies,” Tripp whispered.
I let him pull me into a quick man hug as he slapped me on the back. “Don’t worry about it, Dad.”
His smile grew bigger. “This is damn amazing. All of us here. We need to hit the lake, do some fishing. Just us guys.”
Tripp and I exchanged looks. I couldn’t even think of the last time we’d all gone finishing together. Tripp lifted a brow. I knew the ball was in my court. I could get pissed and stomp out, or I could stay and let Maebh become a part of the family. God knows I wanted that, but I also wanted her. Again. And again, and again.
Shit.
“That would be great, Dad. Maebh caught a large mouth yesterday. Son of a bitch was huge, about ten pounds. I’ll have to show you the pictures.”
His face lit up. “No kidding! Then it’s settled. Let’s talk to the women and see when we can make this happen.”
His arms landed on our shoulders, and we were soon headed back up to the house.
“We’re not ruining your weekend, are we, son?”
I shook my head and felt my chest constrict. I wanted my family here, I truly did. But Maebh and I had made love for the first time this morning, and I had confessed to her that I loved her. I wanted to make sure we carved out time for just us. I also wanted to spend time with my family. I was fighting with two feelings: guilty and pissed off.
Taking in a deep breath, I blew it out and answered my father truthfully. “Not at all, Dad.”
When we walked into the kitchen, five women stared at me. All of them wore the same goofy smile.
I stopped. “What?”
Corina wiped what looked like a tear from her cheek. Harley shook her head and slapped her hand over her chest. Amelia bounced up and down like a little girl while Paxton and Waylynn smiled at me like they had just won a damn bet.
“Cord, how are you feeling?” Waylynn asked, walking a circle around me.
“This is my cue to leave,” my father said, Tripp hot on his heels.
“Me, too,” my brother said.
“What! Wait! Dad! Tripp!”
Tripp glanced over his shoulder and shot me a smirk.
“Fucker!” I cried out.
Waylynn made another circle around me.
“What in the fuck are you doing, Waylynn?”
“What are your intentions with our sweet Maebh?” she asked, her hands going to her hips.
“Don’t most of you have kids you should be watching? Some mothers you are…” I accused, trying to step around my sister. I was blocked by her outstretched hand.
“Not me,” Amelia stated.
My eyes shot over to my little sister. “Meli, help a guy out here.”