Just What I Need (The Bradfords) by Erin Nicholas Read Free Book Online

wants to take Lace and Rose out.” He would. Yes, to make sure that the guys were good enough for the girls. But also to watch Sam squirm.
    “We’re not naming them Lace and Rose,” Sam said.
    “What are you going to name them?”
    Sam scrubbed a hand over his face. “We haven’t decided on middle names. We thought we had some time to decide.”
    “Well, you don’t.” Kevin was not going to let Sam sit here and stew. He understood that his friend needed to be here, and was worried, but Kevin was going to make sure he also saw the good in what was happening. “So what are the first names of your beautiful, sweet baby girls?”
    Sam sat forward in his chair, popping his elbows on his knees, his hands hanging limp. “One is Natalie. After Natalia.”
    Kevin’s smile faded as he took that in. Natalia had been one of the four women the guys had starting taking care of after meeting the ladies in the ER one night. They helped the older women take care of their houses and cars, things they needed assistance with to stay living independently. Each of the guys had one woman they kept especially close track of. Natalia had been Sam’s charge. She had passed away around the time Sam met Dani.
    “That’s…” Kevin swallowed hard. “That’s really nice, Sam.”
    “The other is Ellie. Short for Ellen.”
    Kevin thought about that for a moment but couldn’t place the importance. “Why Ellen?”
    “After Dani’s mom.”
    Kevin nodded. Right. Dani’s mom had died when Dani was a teenager. “Perfect.” He cleared his throat. “And if you want to use Kevin as a middle name, I’d be okay with it.”
    Sam gave him a half-smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
    Kevin leaned back, propping his feet on the coffee table. “How long did you know it would be twins?”
    “Since about twelve weeks.”
    “I can’t believe you kept that secret.”
    “Wouldn’t you? Especially after we found out they were girls.”
    Kevin chuckled. “You’re right. I mean we’re gonna give you plenty of trouble about it now, but you saved yourself about eight months of it.”
    “Exactly.” Sam took a swallow of his soda, then said, “And seeing the looks on all your faces when you found out was awesome .”
    Kevin shook his head. “It was probably a lot like the look on your face when you found out.”
    Sam nodded. “I was definitely in shock for awhile.”
    “You kept it a secret just so you could shock all of us?”
    Sam grinned. “Well, I don’t have wild stories to shock you all with anymore since I married Dani. I couldn’t let the opportunity pass by.”
    Kevin remembered—vividly—Sam’s shocking before-Danika stories. They all involved women and there were a lot of them.
    He grinned thinking about how different this shocker was. “I think you are going to have all kinds of great stories in the years to come, buddy.”
    “Oh, I’ve already looked into homeschooling and the convent. We’re locking down all potential chances for shocking with these girls.”
    Kevin snorted. “Good luck with that. I’m so glad I have a front row seat for this.”
    They each took a drink and sat in a comfortable silence. Until Dooley and Mac showed up.
    But at least they had food.
    They passed out burgers and fries, asked about the babies, Mac tried to reach Ben on his cell—he didn’t answer—and finally, they all settled into chairs and started chewing.
    “Where’s your wife?” Kevin asked.
    “Asleep in the chair in the corner of Dani’s room last time I saw her,” Mac answered.
    “I wasn’t talking to you.”
    Dooley paused with his burger halfway to his mouth.
    “Where’s your wife, Dooley?” Kevin asked.
    “She’s, uh, showering in the women’s locker room.”
    “She’s got clothes here with her?” Mac asked.
    “Yeah, we had our suitcases in the car for the honeymoon.”
    “Right,” Mac said, shaking his head. “Your honeymoon. This is your wedding night. Too bad.”
    Dooley shifted on his seat. “Yeah.