“Yes,” I answered, shaking my head. “They wanted to look at a video game that Benjamin had over here.”
Clay laughed. “Benjamin has a video game set here?”
“I do,” Archer said as he walked over and put his arms around my shoulders. He kissed the top of my head, and I grinned up at him.
“Really?”
“Yes,” Archer said, grinning. “One of my old sets is over here, but Benjamin keeps a few of his old games too. I guess the kids were bored out in the backyard, or just being kids,” Archer said.
“Mariah is nearly five now. She is not a baby, according to her. Ryan is nearly five now, so you would think I would be used to the fact that all of these kids are getting older and we are no longer able to put them in a playpen and call it a day.”
I laugh. “There’s no way that you ever were that guardian just to stick them in a playpen and call it a day.”
“No, and I think they’d probably just learn how to crawl out of it anyway.”
“Do you want some help?” Clay shook his head as Benjamin walked out, Mariah on Benjamin’s back, and Holden and Jackson laughing as Benjamin said something. Benjamin was the quiet Montgomery. He scowled more and growled more, though I always figured that his twin Beckett growled the most. That’s because Beckett tended to get angrier more often.
Benjamin was a quiet angry that simmered. I called him my friend too. After all, I hung out with him as much as I did Lee these days. I didn’t hang out with Beckett as much anymore, but that was because we had our issues.
My issues.
Clay went to take Mariah off of Benjamin’s back, shook his head, and the little girl laughed. She started chasing Holden, who therefore chased Jackson, and Clay rubbed his temples.
Archer beamed before he followed them. Mrs. Montgomery just smiled softly as Archer’s boyfriend scowled a bit and went back to his phone.
“Work?” I asked, and Marc looked taken aback for a moment that I would talk to him. Then again, I didn’t speak to him often. We weren’t left alone too often. Or semi-alone, since Benjamin was still walking towards us.
He lifted his chin, a strained smile on his face. “Yes, work issues. I may have to head out early, but I don’t want Archer to lose this time with his family.”
“That’s sweet, and I’m sorry that you’re having work issues.”
“Comes with the job. It’s fine, I’ll get it taken care of, and I’ll make sure that Archer gets something to eat before we have to go.”
I frowned as he walked away, putting his phone to his ear, and Benjamin sighed. “What?” I asked.
“I don’t think I like him. I don’t know why I don’t like him. That makes me feel like an asshole.”
I held back a wince. “I don’t like him either. I don’t know if it’s just because he’s bad with people or an asshole. Maybe we’re the assholes.”
Benjamin looked at me and winked, looking so much like Beckett I was nearly taken aback. “I think we are the assholes, Brenna. Sorry.”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his heels. “You ready to eat?”
“Maybe. If Beckett ever finishes with the grill,” I mumbled.
Benjamin snorted. “You’ll notice that none of us are over there helping. He’s in his caveman phase to show his woman he knows how to deal with fire.”
“That’s what I was thinking,” I said with a laugh.
He gave me a look as if he were steeling himself. “You okay with that?”
I held back a groan, knowing I’d have to explain everything again. “Okay with what?”
“You know, Eliza and Beckett.”
“The fact that my best friend is happy and in love? What’s there not to be okay about?” He opened his mouth to say something, and I held up my hand. “I’m not in love with Beckett. I never was. Eventually, I will get it skywritten by a plane, or maybe just a large banner. Or maybe a tattoo on my forehead so the rest of all of you will understand.”
Benjamin just blinked before he slid his hands through his hair. “Sorry. This seems to be a touchy subject.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course, it’s a touchy subject. You would feel it was touchy if everyone thought you were in love with somebody even when you weren’t. He was my best friend.”
“Was?”
I could have kicked myself at the slip. “He still is. Now my best friend circles include Annabelle, Paige, Lee, and even you.”
“Even me,” he muttered. “So glad that I’m tacked on there.”
“You know what I mean. I just, I suck at this whole thing. I really should just stick to baking cakes and not dealing with words.”
“Words are hard.”
“Are you making fun of me?” I asked him, scowling.
“Brenna Garrett, I would never once make fun of you.”
I sighed. “I still think you’re making fun of me.”
“I’m not. Honestly, I thought you did. I thought you loved him. Or I thought it was a crush, or it was something. I’m sorry.”
I shrugged. “Don’t be. There’s nothing really to say about that. You weren’t the only one. I had the stars in my eyes while looking at him, and maybe it was just because I liked having someone I could talk to about everything.”
“You can talk to me,” he said, almost absently.
I looked at him then. I wished that were true. Because I wasn’t sure I could talk to anybody about what was on my mind. And it had nothing to do with Beckett Montgomery.
“You’re a good man, Benjamin.”
He snorted. “That’s a good way to start off the night. I’m a good man, but I’m never going to tell you my secrets.”
“You don’t need to know all of my secrets, Benjamin. They’re scary.”
“With the way that our family rolls? I’m pretty sure we all have you beat.”
“And then what are your secrets?” I asked, only slightly teasing.
He shrugged. “I don’t have any. I think I’m the most boring Montgomery.”
“That may be true,” I said deadpan.
He shoved my shoulder right when Mrs. Montgomery looked at us. “Benjamin, stop hurting that poor girl. What are you thinking?”
“Sorry, Mom.” He put his arm around my shoulders and squeezed me close. “See? We’re all fine.”
“Yes, we are.” I reached around and hugged Benjamin around his hips. “See? No violence.”
“Wow, that’s just what they say before the violence starts.” Beckett walked in, holding a plate of meat. “Meat is ready. Dinner is served.”
“You know there are side dishes and salads and drinks and other things to go with that? I swear to God, you fall in love and get engaged and suddenly are all growly and weird,” Paige joked as she bounced in. “However, we do have all of the side dishes ready, so dinner is served,” she bounced, clapping her hands.
Her boyfriend Colton just rolled his eyes behind her, picked her up quickly so she let out a little giggle, and he carried her against his chest onto the back patio where the table was set up.
I nearly swooned at the image of love and happiness. They had been dating around the same length as Archer and Marc had been. In the interim, Annabelle and Jacob had gotten married, and Beckett and Eliza were engaged. The two original couples were still going strong in the dating zone. Archer looked like he was comfortable where he was at with Marc, the two of them taking their time. Only I knew Paige was antsy. The fact that she had told us she was antsy was only part of it. Her family was getting married and having children, and she felt like she was being left behind.