Whoa, how many people are coming over?” Reardon asked as he took in all of the food on Dillon’s kitchen counter.

“Just us,” Dillon replied with a chuckle. “Laurel wanted to try out some new recipes. She’s been on a cooking kick lately. Who am I to tell her no?”

“Yeah, I sure wouldn’t,” I said as I took a whiff of the air. “It all looks, and smells, delicious. If you ever need to get rid of some of her experiments, you can take pity on the guy who lives alone.”

“Wow, it smells great in here,” Gabe said as he entered the kitchen.

That meant the only one we were still waiting on, was Shane.

Dillon had offered to host UFC this time, which was cool with me. Not only because of Laurel’s cooking frenzy, but because Dillon’s place was bad ass.

He lived in his childhood home, and it was awesome. A large, sprawling house with a wraparound porch on a good stretch of land, it was exactly the kind of place I’d like to own one day.

It had a great foundation, and what I wouldn’t give to do some refurbishing and make some updates in there.

Plus, he had dogs. Two golden retrievers named Copper and Penny.

I needed a dog in my life.

“You can eat now, during the fight, after, whatever,” Dillon said, grabbing a plate and starting to pile food on it. “We have enough to go around and then some. And, Jed, feel free to take as much home as you’d like, man.”

“Thanks,” I said, wondering if Serena remembered to eat dinner, or if she was so busy that she’d forget.

Since I was thinking about it, I shot her a text, telling her to make sure she ate.

When she replied, Don’t worry, Jazzy and I stepped out for a burger. BTW, she’s totally Team Jed, I let out a chuckle.

“What’s so funny?” Rear asked as he put about a pound of chicken wings on his plate.

“Nothing, just something your cousin said,” I replied.

He looked at me, then around the kitchen, and asked, “Rena or Jazzy?”

My gaze lifted from my screen as I told him, “Serena.”

“Yeah, I was going to ask about that,” Dillon chimed in.

“Ask about what?” Gabe asked, looking at all of us in confusion.

“A couple weeks ago when I was helping Jed out with deliveries, he was taking Rena dinner at the gallery,” Dillon replied.

I braced, wondering how the other two men were going to take the information.

Maybe I should have spoken to each of them individually, to get a gauge on how they felt about me dating their youngest cousin.

“Really?” Gabe asked, “You and Rena?”

I waited, tense, not sure how the oldest, and I’d guess call him the leader … no that wasn’t right … the most father-like of the cousins, the one they all looked up to and listened to … Lewis, was going to react.

“Yeah, me and Rena. We’re dating. Officially, dating,” I replied, hoping I didn’t sound as stupid as I felt.

I was a grown-ass man, for fuck’s sake, I didn’t need their permission. Except, I liked and respected all of them, especially Gabe, so I really hoped they were okay with it.

“Cool,” Gabe said.

“Cool,” I asked, my voice not coming out quite as strong as I’d like.

“Yeah,” Gabe said, his gaze intent on me. “As long as she’s happy, I’m happy. You’re a good dude. I know you. Trust you. Plus, you know if you mess with her, you’ll have to deal with us, so…”

“Got that right,” Dillon said.

“Yeah, just treat her right, and you can live,” Reardon added.

“Who are we killing?” Shane asked as he joined us in the kitchen.

“Me, apparently,” I said dryly.

“Why, what’d ya do, mate?”

“He’s dating our cousin … Let that be a warning to you,” Gabe told him, causing Shane to throw up his hands and ask, “What’d I do? I just walked in the door.”

Gabe shot him a knowing look, then let him off the hook and went to go grab some food.

I guess Shane’s crush on Jasmine wasn’t a secret to anyone … except Jazzy herself.

Once we all had our food, we went down to the basement where Dillon’s family room was. It had a big sectional sofa, a couple of recliners, and a big eighty-inch UHD TV. It even had its own refrigerator, which Dillon kept stocked with beer.

We all claimed our spots as Dillon found the fight on TV.

The next three hours were filled with beer drinking, smack talking, great food, and even better friends.

This was what I’d been missing all my life. The core reason why I’d decided to finally settle in one place. Not just because Cherry Springs was quaint and quiet, but because these men had become great friends, and I shared a comradery with them that was hard to find.

There was no way I wanted to disappoint them by messing things up with Rena.

I probably should have thought about the possible consequences before we’d gotten too involved, but it was too late now. I was falling for her, hard, so I needed to make sure I kept her happy, because if I didn’t not only would I lose her, but I’d lose the men who were like brothers to me.