An Aces Christmas (The Aces' Sons)

“What can I say?” he said with a shrug. “No, seriously. I’ve got nothin’.”

“I’m buyin’ you condoms for Christmas,” I replied.

“Cool. The kids can use them as water balloons.”

“Jesus, Hawk must be fuckin’ exhausted.”

“We’re both exhausted,” he said seriously. “But it’s a hell of a ride.”

“Better you than me,” I replied.

“Give it a year or two,” he said knowingly.

“Fuck that.”

“You seen her yet?”

“Nope.”

“You lookin’ for her?”

“I’ll see her eventually.”

Tommy grinned. “It’s gonna be fun watching the new generation act like fuckin’ morons. I’m gonna start takin’ bets.”

He moved around me and I took a deep breath before scanning the area again. Either Kara had changed her appearance so much that I didn’t recognize her or she wasn’t there. I was betting on the latter. I’d had a sixth sense when it came to her since I was a kid—if she was around, I knew it instantly.

“Come get a beer,” Curtis said, throwing his arm over my shoulder.

I flinched, but neither of us mentioned it.

“There’s more kids,” I said as I almost tripped over a little boy with a Mohawk. That one was definitely one of Tommy’s.

“A few, yeah,” Curtis said with a laugh. “You can mostly thank Tommy for that.”

“Yeah, he said Heather’s pregnant again.”

“’Course she is,” Curtis replied. “Like clockwork. Let’s see,” he said, pausing to signal for two beers at the prospect behind the bar. “Tommy’s got little Mick, Rumi, Otto and Titus. Kara’s little brothers, Brody and Jamison. Gray’s not really a kid anymore, but Harper’s still pretty small. Who am I missing?”

“Cecilia’s,” I said, nodding my thanks to the prospect as he handed me a beer.

“Right,” Curtis said. “Olive, Meg and Forrest. You met most of ’em before you went in.”

“Yeah,” I said with a sigh, turning to lean my back against the bar. “None of ’em look the same now, though.”

“You can always tell which ones are Tommy’s—”

“The Mohawks?”

“That and the fact that they’re complete hellions that look exactly like their father,” Curtis said dryly.

“Hey,” Heather said, coming toward us. “I take exception to that. A couple of ’em look like me.” She didn’t stop until she was in my space, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. “Happy as hell to see you, kid.”

“Hey, Hawk,” I said, squeezing her back. “How you doin’?”

“Great,” she replied, her lips twitching as she pulled away. She looked at me and then Curtis. “Does everyone know?”

“We know the signs by now,” Curtis said with a laugh.

“Just once, I’d like to announce it,” she replied, rolling her eyes.

“Congratulations,” I said, smiling.

“Now see,” she said, raising her voice, “that’s what you say to an expectant mother.” She pointed at me. “You’re clearly the superior twin.”

I choked on the beer in my mouth as Curtis sputtered.

“A congratulations would be nice,” she said, raising her hands in the air as she spun in a circle. “It’s joyous motherfucking news.”

“Congratulations!” a few people throughout the room called.

“Too late,” she called back. She turned back toward me. “I missed you,” she said, smiling as she pinched my chin. “Glad to have you home.”

“I’m the superior twin,” I said to Curt as she walked away.

“I made one comment about her having a litter,” he muttered.

“And you’re still standing?” I asked in surprise.

“Tommy caught her before she could do any damage,” he replied with a chuckle.

“How ya doin’, son?” my grandpa Casper asked as he joined us at the bar. “Havin’ fun yet?”

“Can hardly contain myself,” I replied. He huffed out a laugh.

“Give it some time. You’ll settle in and the women will stop huggin’ ya.”

“It’s all good. I’m happy to see ’em.”

“Just probably not all at once,” Grandpa said dryly, glancing at me.

“It’s a lot.”

He nodded. “Well, day after Christmas, you come see me, yeah? I got a bay in the garage with your name on it.”

“He gets his name on a bay?” Curtis said in mock jealousy. “What the fuck?”

“As long as it’s nowhere near his,” I said jokingly, jerking my head toward Curt.

“Okay, everyone,” my Gran Brenna called out, standing on a chair. “Time to do presents for the kids! So get your drinks and settle in!”

The sound of children squealing with excitement filled the room.

“Brody and Jamison aren’t here yet,” one of the little boys yelled.

“I get their presents!” another one said instantly.

“No one’s getting Brody and Jay’s presents,” my Gramps said. “Ya little shits.”

“I’m gonna hit the head,” I told Curtis.

“After the kids do their thing, the adults do a white elephant,” Curtis replied. “You’ll wanna be here for that.”

“I didn’t bring anything.”

“I’m sure Mom did,” Curt replied, waving me off. “Seriously, if nothin’ else, you wanna watch. A couple years ago, someone brought a cup and jockstrap. Used.” Curt laughed. “Tommy opened it and he complained the entire damn night until he got drunk enough to put it on.”