Free Don't Let Go by Jaci Burton Page B

brother.
    â€œThinking about Kurt?” Carter asked.
    His boss was astute. “Yeah.”
    â€œSometimes that’s not a bad thing, especially if it’s a good memory.”
    He looked over at Carter. “I guess so.”
    â€œYou ever want to talk about it, you know I’m right here.”
    â€œThanks.” That was the problem. He never wanted to talk about it. Because talking about it, or even thinking about it, made him remember Kurt. And even if they were good memories, they inevitably led down the road to the bad ones.
    â€œFood is ready,” Logan said. “Let’s take it inside.”
    Brady’s stomach grumbled, and he had to admit he was more than eager to eat, especially if it meant no more conversation about his brother.
    They all gathered inside and scooped up piles of barbecued chicken and more side dishes than Brady could count. He had potato salad, beans, corn on the cob, and coleslaw, along with garlic bread—at least to start. There was seating inside and outside, so he found Megan and they decided on a spot at one of the large picnic tables outside with several of the other couples.
    â€œWhen Bash and I have kids, we’re having all girls,” Chelsea said.
    Bash rolled his eyes. “First, honey, let’s get through the wedding. And second, I intend to have all sons.”
    Chelsea let out a snort. “We’ll see who wins.”
    â€œWhat about you and Carter, Molly?”
    She shrugged. “I don’t care. We’re really in no hurry for the baby thing.”
    Carter leaned over and nuzzled her neck, giving her a kiss. “Right now we’re too busy practicing.”
    Molly laughed. “Carter.”
    Megan adored seeing her friends so in love.
    She turned to Brady. “And how about you, Brady? Boys or girls for you?”
    â€œI don’t intend to have kids.”
    â€œEver?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œCare to elaborate?”
    â€œNot really.”
    She could tell he wasn’t in the mood for an in-depth discussion on children. “Well, you know, your opinion on that might change. Maybe you haven’t found the right person yet. And when you do, you might want to have ten babies with her.”
    He shot her a look she couldn’t define, then asked, “Is that how you’ll feel when you find the right guy?”
    â€œAbsolutely. Once you find that right person, it’s all about biology. Right now kids aren’t on my radar, but I’ve seen it happen with quite a few of my friends who thought they’d never get married or they’d never have or want children. Then suddenly they’re in love and they’re getting married and they’re having a baby. It’s the love mind-set.”
    He cocked his head to the side. “The love mind-set.”
    She slanted a smile at him. “Yes. You fall in love, and you can see yourself with that person for the rest of your life, and suddenly you want something that’s a part of both of you.”
    Brady took a bite of chicken, chewed, and swallowed. “My mind-set won’t change. This world is hard, and I won’t bring kids into it.”
    That sounded rather definite. Megan sighed. “Then I guess you and I can never be, because I want a whole lot of kids.”
    Again he gave her that look she couldn’t define—a mix of curiosity and maybe a little sadness?
    â€œI guess not,” he said.
    â€œOh, come on, you two,” Chelsea said. “I never in a million years thought Bash and I would end up together and have plans to get married in less than a year. Let alone talking about someday having babies.”
    â€œSomeday very soon,” Bash added.
    Chelsea grinned, then smoothed her hand down his face. “Yes. Someday soon. It just goes to show you that what you think right this moment could change by tomorrow.”
    â€œThis is true,” Megan said.
    But Brady shook his head. “Yeah, my