Ink Enduring (Montgomery Ink #5)(48)

A few of her family members laughed while the largest one just shook his head. He looked to be the eldest of the siblings so Border figured this was Austin. Considering Border hadn’t made it to Maya’s shop yet—something he would be changing soon—he didn’t know whom the brother she worked with daily was yet.

“You of all people, little sister, should know that we don’t just let things go,” the one Border thought was Austin said with a chuckle in his voice. “You bring home two men, one we know like a brother, the other we don’t know at all, and expect us not to be curious? You, of all people,” the man repeated.

Border raised a brow. “Why is he saying you of all people?” he asked Maya, though he kept his eyes on the brother.

“My brother Austin thinks he’s hilarious,” Maya said dryly.

This time, it was Jake who laughed. Border turned to his other lover, both brows raised this time. “What?”

Jake shrugged. “Maya is usually the one in everyone’s business. Fuck!” He rubbed his arm where Maya had slugged him. Jake looked around the room at the wide-eyed kids and winced. “Sorry.”

Border chuckled, he couldn’t help it. “Well, that makes sense I guess.” He stepped out of the way as Maya tried to punch him, as well. Instead, he gripped her hand and kissed her fist.

She narrowed her eyes at him at the public display of affection, and he let her arm fall. “Like she said, I’m Border. Nice to meet all of you.”

Storm took that moment to push through the others and bring Border in for a hug. “Nice to see you, man.”

And with that, the tension broke, and soon, Border was introduced to every single Montgomery family member, child, and even the family friend who worked for the Montgomerys—Tabby. She should have looked out of place with her straight-laced outfits and high ponytail, but she fit right in.

And after a few minutes, he started to feel a little more comfortable, as well. Maya and Jake were never far from his side, and though he got some curious looks, it wasn’t that bad. In fact, the family seemed downright delighted that Maya was with not only Jake, but Border, as well. Not everyone would be okay with a ménage relationship within their family dynamic, but the Montgomerys took it in stride. Or at least they did a really good job of pretending.

Since it was a bit chilly outside, it looked like they would be eating indoors. Maya’s parents made sure everyone was fed and had somewhere to sit, and that wasn’t an easy task considering the amount of people that filled the house. Thankfully, it seemed the older couple had kept building on to the house with each new kid, so there was plenty of room.

Border sat on one of the couches next to Maya with Jake on her other side. He was in the middle of a conversation with Storm when someone cleared their throat and the room quieted. Maya slid her hand into Border’s, and he couldn’t help but squeeze it softly before turning his attention to Meghan and Luc.

Meghan was Maya’s older sister and owned the landscaping division of Montgomery Inc., the construction company that had been started by Maya’s parents and was now owned and operated by Wes and Storm—with Tabby organizing them. Luc was Montgomery Inc.’s electrician, and apparently, had been best friends with Meghan when they’d been younger before she’d been married the first time. Border was slowly learning all the backstories for the Montgomerys, but it was going to take him time.

“So,” Luc began and cleared his throat. “Since we have all of your attention…”

Meghan blushed and leaned into her husband. “We’re having a baby! It’s still really early, but the little goobers found out by accident, and we don’t want to force them keep secrets.” She put her hands on the top of her children’s heads and smiled.

Maya screamed and jumped off the couch to hug her sister, and the rest of the family took turns with Luc and then Meghan once Maya let go. Border sat back, a smile on his face. It was weird as hell that he was there while they were making such a huge announcement, but he knew he just needed to take it in stride. He was still learning to be with Maya, still learning who she was. But she wanted him there, and he would take things one step at a time.

Sasha, Meghan’s daughter from her first marriage, came up to him and stood in front of the couch. She put her little hand on his knee and batted her eyes at him. This little one had more of Maya in her than Meghan, and he couldn’t help but smile.

“Are you Aunt Maya’s boyfriend?” Sasha asked as she scrambled up to sit on his lap.

Border froze for a moment before resting his hand on her shoulder. He met Maya’s gaze for help, but she just smiled. Jake wasn’t even looking at him, so he was no help either.

“Yes,” he said finally. “I am.” It was almost the truth. He wasn’t sure he should say that the three of them were just lovers who were trying to figure out where they fit in each other’s lives at the moment.

“Is Jake Aunt Maya’s boyfriend, too?”

Border swallowed hard and looked to Maya for help. Thankfully, she took pity on him and picked her niece up off his lap. She twirled the little girl around to Sasha’s delighted giggles and set her down on her feet next to Maya.

“Yes, Sasha darling, Jake is my boyfriend.”

“And Border is my boyfriend, too,” Jake said with a grin. “We’re confusing, huh?”