Play Softly (The Devil's Share Book 4) by L.P. Maxa Read Free Book Online Page B

You still think you are right and I am wrong. And you think the art is hilarious.” Luke bounced for another few minutes and then joined me once Halen was in a deep sleep. “But I forgive you anyways.”
    I’d woken up on the couch next to him yesterday morning, and it seemed like I was going to do it again. Dash probably didn’t love it. But there was something about Luke lately, something that made me want to hold on tighter than normal because he was about to float away.

Chapter Eleven
    Dash
    Halen was four weeks old and I couldn’t believe how the time was flying by. Our baby didn’t sleep much, but luckily Luke and Lexi had decided to become nocturnal. I didn’t mention that I knew they hung out after everyone was asleep. I just let it go. I knew once we moved things would be different between them, and more than that, I knew Luke was going to run away soon. I didn’t know where he’d go, or how long he’d be gone, but he looked like a man ready for an escape. We’d started packing today, although there wasn’t much to pack. The house we were living in had been rented fully furnished.
    We were all gathered around the table, eating dinner as a family. It was taco night, Bryan and Landry’s favorite.
    Jacks cleared his throat. “Luke. I wanted to apologize for laughing at your expense when Lexi made changes to your house without your knowledge or consent.”
    Luke looked around the table. Like the rest of us, he was confused and waiting for the punch line. “Huh?”
    Jacks wiped his mouth with his napkin then placed it neatly into his lap. “I now too know the hurt and confusion you must have felt.”
    Bryan rolled her eyes and took a large gulp of her wine. “Jacks. Stop it.”
    Luke wrinkled his nose. “What are you talking about?”
    “You aren’t the only one who got screwed over by the girl designing your house.” Jacks glared across the table at his girlfriend.
    Bryan’s pretty blue eyes darkened. “ The girl designing your house ? We weren’t even dating when I started doing you that favor.”
    “You shanghaied me.”
    Bryan threw her hands in the air. “I did not shanghai you. I vetoed your Hugh Heffner wannabe pool grotto.” She pointed her finger at him. “And I used the money to put in an outdoor bar and a water slide for Landry.”
    Jacks crossed his arms over his chest, his lip pouty. “Band-Aids don’t fix bullet holes, Bryan.”
    Dylan cocked her head to the side, studying my friend. “Did you just quote a Taylor Swift song?”
    He shrugged. “Landry loves Taylor Swift.”
    Landry raised her hand. “Who is Taylor Swift?”
    I started to chuckle, and my fiancée started to cry. I leaned over in my seat and pulled her against my chest. “Kitten, it’s okay, don’t be sad.” She’d been doing this a lot lately, especially in moments like this when we were all together as a family.
    “I…can’t…help-p-p…it-t.” She wiped her nose on my t-shirt. “Everyone is moving and we won’t get to have times like this anymore.” She put her head back down and cried harder.
    “Aw, Kitten, of course we will.” I rubbed her head. “Shhhh, don’t cry.”
    “Yeah, Aunt Lexi, I’ll come see you all the time. I promise.” Landry put her small hand on Lexi’s back, comforting her.
    Smith snorted. “Nothing is going to change, Lex. It’s us against the world, remember? Couldn’t keep us apart if you tried.”

    Later that night, Lexi and I were cuddled up on the couch, catching up on our DVR, which was filled to the max because we had been so busy with the new baby and the impending move. Halen was sleeping soundly on my chest and Lexi’s head was on my shoulder. It was heaven. “Kitten?”
    “Hmm?”
    “You feeling better?” She’d cried for a solid ten minutes at the dinner table. Dylan assured me it was just hormones leaving her body.
    She sighed. “I do… It’s just… I don’t know. I can’t really explain it.”
    “Give it a try.” I kissed the top of her