Written in Ink (Montgomery Ink #4)(37)

Maya scoffed. “Hell, no. I’m just fine.” Autumn didn’t miss how Maya did her best not to look at Holly just then.

“Seriously, though,” Miranda continued. “I’m enjoying life how it is with work and things. Oh! Did I tell you? I’m not the new one. We just hired a new teacher.” She shuddered. “He’s not technically replacing…you know…but it’s a start.”

They all knew what Miranda was talking about, though no one mentioned it. The woman had been through hell because of a teacher with his sights on her. Autumn knew all too well what that felt like.

She swallowed hard. Best not to think of that.

Ever.

Though in all reality, it was always in the back of her mind.

“So any babies in your future, Meghan?” Callie asked as she ate a cake pop.

Meghan smiled. “Perhaps.” She held up her hands as the others spoke all at once. “I’m not pregnant now, but we’re not going to wait until after the wedding to try. I’m older than I was with Cliff and Sasha, so you never know.”

Sierra held out her hand and gripped Meghan’s tightly. “Just be careful.” Meghan kissed Sierra’s palm before letting go. Autumn felt out of place, if only for a moment, at the sight of so many women with so many stories entwined. But she’d been invited, and was part of the Montgomerys at least right then because of Griffin and her friendship with Meghan.

Holly was the true new one, but she didn’t look out of place. In fact, she looked thrilled to be involved. Sweet and innocent. And happy.

The door jingled open and everyone turned to see Tabby walk in, her hair in a tight ponytail at the top of her head.

“So sorry I’m late. Had a last minute thing at work. Oh, are those cake pops?”

“Are my brothers working you too hard?” Maya asked. “Need me to kick their asses?”

“Nope. I just wanted to get ahead of tomorrow.” Tabby grinned and bit into a strawberry cheesecake pop. “Oh my God, Hailey. Can we get married? I know I’ll be new at the whole lesbian sex thing, but I’ll learn for these.”

Autumn coughed up her drink of water as everyone broke out into laughter.

Hailey wiped tears from her cheeks and shook her head. “Tabby, darling, you are sexy as hell, but neither one of us likes *. We’re hard for cock.”

That sent everyone into a new round of laughter. The only one that looked a little uncomfortable was Holly, but Autumn didn’t think anyone else noticed except for Maya. The group began talking about their days and little stories that made them who they were. Autumn sat back and listened, doing her best not to contribute much. She enjoyed watching, learning what she could about being normal.

Because Autumn Minor had never been normal.

And she knew she never would be.





Chapter Eleven


“I never thought I’d see you holding a baby like that,” Griffin said as Decker rocked Austin’s son to sleep.

The women had wanted their girls’ night, so the guys were in charge of the kids. Austin had decided to have everyone over to Decker’s place and have them all watch the kids. Griffin didn’t mind, as he loved his nieces and nephews. It was still a kick in the stomach to see his family have families of their own, though. Everyone was growing up, living their own lives, and sometimes, Griffin felt like he was left behind.

It wasn’t time for him to worry about that, though.

Now he wanted to live in the moment.

Decker just smiled and kept rocking while standing, swaying back and forth as he hummed a little tune. Colin gurgled once, and Griffin took a step closer. Decker didn’t falter; the big, bearded, inked man holding the tiny baby in his arms like he’d always been there.

Austin grinned from the doorway, leaning on the jam and folding his big arms over his bigger chest.

“He asleep yet?” the proud father asked, his voice low.

“Yeah, I think so,” Decker whispered. “You got the crib ready?”

Jake came out from the back room, Sasha on his back, and a grin on his face. “It’s ready. Sasha helped me put it up.”

“He needs all the help,” Sasha said primly.

Griffin had to put a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing and waking the baby.

Luc plucked his daughter from Jake’s back and kissed her cheek soundly. “You’re right about that. Now let’s get you ready for bed, as well. You’re bunking with Leif and Cliff in the guest room. You okay with that?”

She nodded sagely. “I like sleepovers. Even with boys that smell.”

“You’re going to have problems when she gets older,” Wes said as he walked into the living room, Storm on his heels.

“I don’t mind,” Luc said with a smile and carried Sasha toward the back, where Leif and Cliff were already playing fort.

“I wonder if I’m going to have a little girl,” Morgan said absently, and Griffin grinned.

He slammed his hand on Morgan’s massive back and laughed. “I still can’t believe you’re going to be a dad.”

“You work fast,” Austin said with a grin.

Morgan raised a brow and looked all the more like the businessman he was. He may have ditched the suit for a casual button up shirt and jeans, but he was still a little cleaner than the rest of them. It didn’t matter that he had the largest ink of all of them on his back, the man just oozed class.