Courage (Heroes of Big Sky 1)

“You’re such a bad loser,” I mutter and hit another ball into the pocket.

I rub chalk on the end of the cue and get ready to hit another ball when Sebastian joins us and asks, “How are things with Natasha?”

And just like that, I miss the fucking shot.

I step away from the table as Liam takes over. “Things are good.”

“You moved in,” Liam reminds me and then looks at the others. “He gave up the apartment, put all his shit in storage, and moved in with Tash and the kids.”

“Well, yeah. I was always there anyway. The kids are a handful. It’s not fair to leave it all up to her. They’re my responsibility, too.”

“So, you moved in because of the kids,” Callum says with a nod. “Right. Of course.”

I narrow my eyes at the prince, but before I can say anything, Sebastian adds, “Moving in with Natasha, who happens to be a lovely woman, had nothing to do with the fact that she is, indeed, a lovely woman.”

“You’re a married man,” I counter. “Why are you checking Tash out?”

Sebastian grins, not at all offended. “I’m married, yes, and quite happily at that. But I’m not blind, mate.”

“Yeah, well.” I watch as Liam sinks a ball. “She’s pretty incredible. Strong. Patient. And she’s great about leaving the room if she loses that patience so she doesn’t take it out on the kids. Because I have to say, as much as I love those little guys, they are a handful and can be trying.”

“We all have children,” Callum says with understanding in his eyes. “They’re a joy and a challenge.”

“No kidding. I had no idea until they became my responsibility, just how challenging it could be. Monica and Rich always made it look so easy, you know?”

Liam stops walking around the table and leans on his cue. All three men are listening now.

“Anyway, we’re not here to talk about our feelings.”

“I love my children,” Sebastian begins, “more than anything in the world. But I couldn’t imagine taking on the responsibility of my sibling’s kids. It’s a burden I hope I never have to take on.”

“It’s not a burden,” I reply softly. “It’s an honor, actually. A bittersweet one because my sister should be the one raising her kids, you know? She’s going to miss everything, and that’s so fucking unfair. It pisses me off. But being with the kids, as much of a challenge as it is at times, isn’t a burden. I think Tash would say the same.”

“And what about the job in Spokane?” Liam asks me.

Both Sebastian and Callum turn to me in surprise.

“It’s there if I want it.” I sigh and sip my beer. “I have to give them an answer after the first of the year.”

“So, you’re moving?” Callum asks. “But I thought you were living with them. As a family.”

“I am.”

“Will you all move, then?” Sebastian asks.

I frown. “I hadn’t planned on that. Honestly, I haven’t given it a lot of thought lately.”

“Might want to think about it, especially if you have to tell them soon. Maybe talk to Tash about it. She should have a say,” Liam says.

“We’re not married,” I immediately reply and then feel like a jackass when they all raise their eyebrows in surprise. “Okay, you’re right. I’m a putz.”

“You’ve had a lot on your plate,” Callum says. “I suspect you’re still adjusting to all of the changes.”

I sigh, but before I can say anything, Kevin comes running into the room.

“I was sent up to the man room because I’m a man,” he says, winded from running up the stairs. “Because you guys have to come down for dessert. We can’t have pie or anything until you guys come down. Ellie said so.”

“Then I guess we’d better go down,” I reply and ruffle his hair. “What have you guys been doing? Your hair’s wet.”

“Playing in the snow,” he says as we walk down the stairs.

“What snow?” It was bone-dry outside when we drove up here earlier this afternoon.

When we walk toward the kitchen and look out the floor-to-ceiling windows that have a view of the lake down below, I whistle in surprise.

“When did this start?” Callum asks.

“About thirty minutes ago,” Aspen answers. “Don’t you guys ever look outside? It’s dumping, and the wind started up, so I made the kids come inside.”

“Our eyes were riveted on the football game,” Callum says as he plants a kiss on his wife’s cheek.

All of the kids are huddled around the TV, bundled up in blankets, already eating pie and other sweets that we brought with us.

“I think everyone should stay the night,” Ellie announces with concern. “We have plenty of room for all of you, and the road down to town will be treacherous.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” Sebastian agrees as we watch the snowfall turn to a blizzard. “It’s safer to stay put.”