Wild Tendy (IceCats 2)

Amelia grins over at me. “Yeah, I’ve learned to clean when they’re sleeping.”

Callie is on the floor with the twins and Sadie. She’s their guard dog; those are her babies. At least that’s the running joke.

Aviva drops to her knees to gush over the babies. “They’re getting so big, Amelia,” she says as Sadie demands attention.

I rub Sadie’s back as Amelia agrees with Aviva. “I know. I feel like they’re growing every second.”

“They are,” Aviva says, and I bend down to my buddy Carter.

He’s a chubby little thing and so damn cute. “Hey, fat man, come here.” I pick him up, cradling his head before pressing him to my chest and standing. “He’s a sack of potatoes. What are you feeding this kid?”

Amelia shrugs. “Formula. He’s hungry.”

Aviva glances up at her. “You’re not breastfeeding?”

She shakes her head. “My milk didn’t come in. My boobs are worthless,” she says with a shrug. “I don’t care, though, as long as my kids are healthy and happy.”

I watch emotion slip over Aviva’s face as she cups Hannah’s little hand. I want to know what she is thinking, but not here. Not now. I rock Carter back and forth as Chandler comes into the room. “Hey, man. Oh hey, Callie!”

His brows are at his hairline as he looks from Callie to Aviva and then to me.

Callie, none the wiser, grins back at him. “Hey, Chandler!”

It’s like it all clicks in his head. “Aviva is Callie’s sister.”

Aviva waves. “Yup, that’s me.”

“And you guys came with Nico.”

They both nod, and Aviva asks, “Is that okay?”

“More than okay. Just putting together the pieces,” he says, heading toward the kitchen. “It’s great to have you guys.”

Aviva makes a face as she looks up at me. I shrug and follow him into the kitchen. “Dinner almost ready?”

Chandler nods, stirring some rice. “So, Aviva?”

“Aviva.”

“I see it worked out.”

“Yeah,” I say against Carter’s temple. He’s starting to fall asleep. “We’re together.”

He gives me a sideways look. “Together? You’ve only known her a month.”

“Yeah, and I think you and Amelia got together quicker.”

He scoffs. “We hooked up in college.”

“And you only knew her for a little bit then.”

He holds up his palms at me. “Not judging. Just saying.”

“Saying what?” I ask, and he glances back over at me.

“Don’t use her to fill the void that Shelli left.”

I scrunch up my face. “She has nothing to do with Shelli.”

Chandler nods. “I hope not, ’cause I hear she’s a good woman. She loves that girl so damn much. And you gotta remember, you’re not dating just Aviva. You’re dating Callie too. That’s two hearts that will break if you decide—”

“I’m not gonna decide anything like that,” I snap, holding his gaze. “Don’t do that to me. I like her. A lot. And I love Callie. I wouldn’t hurt them.”

“Good,” Chandler says softly. “I want this to work for you. I want this to be it, because I want you to be happy, bro.” He clutches my shoulder, holding my gaze. “You’re a damn good dude, my best friend, and that’s all I want for you. If she’s it, then I’m nothing but supportive.”

I swallow hard. I feel guilty all of a sudden. This guy has been my best friend for years, and I told Callie before I told him. This guy cares for me. Cares for my happiness as I do his, and I’m too much of a coward to tell him the truth. I’d rather he think I’m an asshole who fucks around than that there is something not normal about me. But what if Callie is right? That everyone will believe it’s my superpower? That’s silly. I’m not a kid. I’m an adult, but the guilt is real.

“I love you, dude,” I find myself saying, and Chandler grins.

“I love you too, man.” He smacks my arm and goes back to stirring the rice. I feel a hand slide up my back, and when I look to the side, it’s Aviva.

“You guys having a bro moment?”

Chandler snorts. “Totally. We have the best bromance.”

She smiles. “That’s wonderful,” she says before leaning up to kiss my jaw. “Does he approve of me?”

I scoff as Chandler laughs before he speaks. “It’s not you who needs the approving. It’s him. He’s wild as all get-out.”

Aviva’s face brightens. “Yeah, but he’s also great.”

Chandler looks between us and then nods. “Yeah, he’s okay.”

He leaves the kitchen, and I roll my eyes. “He’s a pain.”

“I just got the third degree.”

“From Amelia?”

“Yup,” she says, still smiling, so it must have not bothered her. “She said you’re a handful. I didn’t disagree.”

“Why does she hate me? I love her,” I say in a teasing matter, but Aviva smacks my arm.

“She just wanted to make sure I was happy.”

I lean my head on Carter’s and ask, “What did you say?”

She sighs slowly as she places her hand on Carter’s back. “Very much so.”