Wyatt leans back in his chair, glowering. “He’s always been a good guy, but he had no idea what he was getting into. Seamus makes it look easy, but it’s not. One reckless fling at a wedding and he’s changed everything about his life basically overnight. Up to and including his shifts at the firehouse, because juggling his schedule with a baby was too much for him to handle alone.”
“I hear that’s what babies do,” Carter says in a quiet, non-confrontational voice I can’t help but admire. “Change everything overnight.”
“But he’s not alone. In a family like yours, you’re never really alone,” Fiona assures him, her forehead creasing at his tone. “And now he’s got someone with experience there to watch Zach and get things organized, so it should get easier.”
But it wasn’t the same. Wyatt doesn’t say anything but his face is easy for me to read. “Big families aren’t always a cure-all, and having one doesn’t mean you never have to work through certain things on your own,” I say absently, staring at Wyatt when he looks up as if surprised I’m taking his side. “Sometimes they cause more problems than they solve.”
“Damn straight.”
“And the larger the family, the harder it can be, if you don’t agree with the majority. But just because something’s right for them doesn’t mean it’s automatically right for you. At least, not on their timetable.”
“Right?” Wyatt puts his hands up and looks at me as if I’m a genius. “See, he gets it. If you don’t stand up and cheer every time someone upends their life without warning, even if it’s a decision you don’t understand, you’re the bad guy.”
“I do get it.” I offer him a supportive smile. “And you’re not the bad guy, Wyatt. Personally, I think Zach is lucky to have an uncle like you. An uncle who can teach him how to make his own decisions. How to handle himself when the unexpected throws him for a loop. Someone needs to, don’t you think?”
Wyatt’s expression goes from startled to considering. “Yeah, I guess you could be right. Sneaky, what you did there, but I see your point. I’d do a better job than the rest of my brothers, that’s for sure.”
“I’m sure you would, and I’m always right. It says so in my bio.”
I feel Carter studying me again, but I manage to resist meeting his gaze.
“JD knows a lot about big families.” Fiona says suddenly, turning the spotlight in my direction. “What did you tell me again? Ten foster brothers?”
“Nine.” I wish she hadn’t brought it up. Talking about my family gets…complicated. “But only one of them is married with kids so far.”
And since Craig’s high school sweetheart-turned wife thinks we’re a family of misfit toys and I live on the other side of the country, all “Uncle JD” knows about them is that they take adorable Christmas photos.
“Nine brothers?” Carter asks in disbelief. “Is that what you meant by that breakfast comment earlier? I had no idea.”
All eyes are on me now, and my face heats from the attention. “We haven’t had a lot of time to swap family tree info. It’s not exactly something you bring up in casual conversation.”
“Unless you’re Fiona,” Wyatt mutters.
“Unless you’re Fiona,” I agree with a sigh. Apparently I’m not the only one that wasn’t born with a filter.
“Fine.” She rolls her eyes. “Blame me for wanting to have stimulating dinner conversation about what it was like for the two of you growing up with so many brothers in the same house. Wyatt has five of his own, you know. You could have compared notes. Never mind. Let’s all stare vacantly at our empty plates instead.” She instantly looks contrite at her outburst and offers a tentative smile to Carter. “The plates are empty because the food was delicious. JD was right about your special sauce.”
I cough into my hand.
“It’s not really mine, but I appreciate it.” Carter hesitates, glancing at me from beneath his lashes before looking back at her. “I was an only child, so I can see the fascination. I used to wish I had a houseful of brothers and sisters.”
“Thank you.” She gives us a speaking look. “I’m glad someone at this table understands me.”
“We understand you.” Wyatt snickers and reaches for his drink. “And if you’re both that fascinated with big families, we can give you a couple of brothers, right, Green? Hell, I have a trio of cousins fresh off the boat that are turning into real troublemakers. They’d probably take one look at Carter and be willing to call him daddy if the price was right.”
“Ice cream.” I push back my chair with more force than I intended. “I think it’s time for ice cream. Fiona, come help me.”
Carter starts to stand. “I can get the dessert.”