The Bluff (Graham Brothers, #2)(73)

Might as well enjoy the ride while I can.





Tank makes me feel welcome the moment I walk in the door with a hug that lifts my feet off the ground and I think also realigns my spinal column. “I’m so glad you came.”

I don’t get the chance to answer before James grabs me around the waist and plucks me away from his dad. James carries me through the spacious home like I weigh as much as a piece of mail.

“I’m not like a purse dog needing to be carried everywhere,” I say, crossing my arms.

James only grunts and transports me an extra few steps into the open kitchen and family room. Out back there’s a nice, sunny patio with a pool and a large yard, where Chase and Harper are playing with their two dogs and three goats—two babies and one larger one who must be Sergeant Pepper. The goats have on little sweaters or jackets. No—they’re wearing coats.

“Goats in coats!” I squeal. “Awwww!”

“Food first, then goats,” James says, steering me toward the table where Collin is setting out plates. He pauses to wink at James before giving me a hug almost as chiropractic as Tank’s.

“Good to see you,” I manage to wheeze from the air left in my lungs.

“You’re breaking her ribs,” James says, and once again, he yanks me from one of his family members’ arms. This time, James deposits me in a chair, pushing it close enough to the table that I’ll have a hard time getting out. He sits down next to me, scooting his chair closer as though to make absolutely sure I don’t go anywhere.

My neck is getting sore from all the whiplash, though this is nothing new with James. It’s less a two-steps-forward, two-steps-back than a quick-step forward, a shuffle to the side, and a few hops back. We’ve been line dancing—that’s what we’re doing. Going this way, then that, and making no real forward progress because we’re covering the same ground, over and over. But since last night, things have shifted, and it feels like we’re moving in a singular direction. Together.

I don’t even know what to do with this, with this new possessive caretaker side of him.

Tank calls out back and Harper comes in with Chase and the dogs, leaving the goats outside for now since they’re still frolicking through the yard. There are loud greetings back and forth, a few licks from the dogs, and I realize once I’ve said hello to everyone, James has filled my coffee up and added heavy whipping cream, as promised. He gives me a little nod, and a little thrill goes through me.

“Let’s eat,” Tank says, passing out platters of bacon, eggs, and, of course, a platter holding crepes.

A girl could get used to this. ALL of this.

I love the big family dynamic. It was just me and Chevy and Mom and Dad, then just Chevy, me, and Dad. The Grahams household is something else, from the noise and playful bickering to the nonstop banter.

Collin teases James mercilessly, which I am fully on board with, especially now that I know James was kind of a nerd growing up. Apparently, he was a chemistry major in college and part of the chess club in high school. I know he taught Jo to play, but there’s a difference between knowing how to play chess and being in the chess club.

“Did he have a pocket protector?” I ask Collin, earning a grin from Harper and a low grumble from James.

“He had a graphic tee with a picture of the periodic table on it,” Harper says.

“Are there any photos?” I ask.

“No,” James says, but Harper gives me a quick, secretive nod. Score! I’m totally going to find a good use for that photo. I’m thinking mugs, T-shirts, maybe posters …

“No.” James nudges me with his knee under the table.

I blink in mock innocence. “What? I’m just enjoying this delicious breakfast.”

He grunts and inhales two pieces of bacon.

“So, what did you two do after we left last night?” Collin waggles his brows suggestively, and before James can start growling, I jump in.

“I tried to get James to watch Tiktok videos.”

That has them all laughing. Except, of course, James, who is busy still stuffing bacon in his mouth. I swear, feeding this family must take like a whole pig a day.

“How’d that go over?” Chase asks, barely holding back a smile.

I shoot James a quick look. “He took away my phone.”

James shakes his head, pushing his chair back. “I’m going where I’m wanted. Out with the dogs and baby goats.”

“I think you mean where you belong,” Collin teases.

James has his brother in a headlock before I can blink. Collin grabs James’s arms and the two thrash around, knocking over a chair. Harper moves a water glass out of the way and Chase scoots back, moving to the door.

“You know the rules, boys. Take it outside,” Tank says in a bored voice, like this happens every day. Maybe it does. I definitely bet it did back when they were young.

Chase swings the back door open for James and Collin, who make their way to the back patio, still locked in a wrestling match. One of the patio chairs topples over. The dogs jump around them, barking like they can’t decide if they want to break it up or join in.

“Don’t worry,” Tank says, patting my hand. “James usually comes out on top.”

“I was going to put my money on Collin,” I say. That earns me a deep booming laugh from Tank.