Fallen Crest Forever (Fallen Crest Series Book 7)(64)

“Chill,” I said, quietly.

Logan groaned, but did as I said, and the silence that followed was thick and awkward.

“Okay.” Malinda stood again, a second glass of wine in hand. She raised it up like last time. “I want to do another toast, but this one might make me a little teary.” Her eyes shone, and she pressed a hand to the corner of her right eye.

She sniffled, clearing her throat. “Okay. Here it is.” She raised her glass higher. “I’m not trying to purposely leave anyone out, but I have to focus on these three children of mine.” A tear slipped past her hand, making its way down her cheek. She used the back of her hand to wipe it away. “Nate, Matteo, I don’t know you guys as well, but I already love you, and I know both of you love these three too.”

She smiled at Sam’s runner friends. “And you both seem very lovely.” She turned to Taylor, sitting across from Logan and next to Courtney. “I’ve only recently gotten to know you, and you seem perfect for Logan. I can tell he’s very happy with you, but you three.” Her eyes warmed, and her lips started to tremble. She looked at Logan, Sam, and me. “You three have rocked my world. I am beyond happy to have met David, but then his daughter came along, and, Samantha, you took my breath away.” She pressed a hand to her chest. More tears slid down. “And you got along with my Marcus. Oh, my boy. He’ll always be my baby, but he got a sister in you, and everyone now knows that Samantha is a package deal. Mason and Logan come with her, no matter what.”

She chuckled hoarsely and glanced to David. “I have to admit that we agonized over what to do with you, Mason. You had more claim on this new precious baby girl than I did.” Her hand fell to David’s shoulder. “More than David too. You were protecting her from us. That stopped me in my tracks. I couldn’t get over it, but then I heard more, and I started to understand. You and Logan, you’re her guard dogs, and I hope that never ends. Ever. You protect her against the world, and Samantha is one of the luckiest people I know.”

She paused, clearing her throat. “Samantha, what you have with Mason and Logan, I am beyond envious. And I’m an adult, but the three of you continue to humble me. The loyalty and love you have for each other, I can only strive to create the same bond with David and my boy. And I am so very grateful to have met all of you, and to you three . . .” She raised her glass once again. “To the love you have. May we all be lucky enough to experience that once in our lifetimes.”

She stopped and turned to each adult, touching their glass with hers. Garrett’s wife looked like she was fighting back tears, and they all sipped from their drinks, joining the salute.

Sam looked between Logan and me. She had a stunned look in her eyes, and her throat was working. She reached for her drink and raised it toward Malinda.

“Thank you, Malinda,” she whispered.

Everyone sipped their drinks, and another bout of silence filled the room.

Logan frowned, swinging his gaze to me. I raised my eyebrows. If he thought I was going to follow that toast with one of my own, he was a moron. I gave him a look back, letting him know what I thought.

He snorted, grinning slightly. “Fine.” He took his glass and stood up. “I love you, Mama Malinda, and my speeches aren’t usually so nice, but—”

“Not another wedding speech,” Malinda interjected. She was firm on that. “Nothing like that. We were at James and Analise’s wedding too.”

Logan laughed. “No, but technically, my speech was fine that day. I had to be nice. Mason’s was the mean one.”

“Truth.” I coughed. “I just spoke the truth.”

Logan swung his glass in my direction. “And on the same theme of being true—”

Nate slumped back in his chair. “Oh no.” He tossed his cloth napkin on his plate.

“Logan.” Malinda gave him a small warning.

“Can you all relax? I’m going to be honest, but not in the way you think.” He paused, waiting for their permission.

“Logan, just talk,” I told him.

He nodded. “I will. Thank you, brother.” He cleared his throat and hit his chest. “There once was a little boy.”

“What?” Nate frowned, shooting forward to look at me.

I lifted a shoulder. “Just let him talk. This is Logan. We never know what we’re going to get.”

“Thank you, brother.”

Nate groaned, leaning back again. “That’s what I’m worried about.”

“Ahem.” Logan shot him a look. “Like I was saying, there once was a little boy who grew up in a palace, and there was a sad and lonely mother, who liked to drink her misery away with wine and diet pills, and there was also an older brother. And this older brother was looked upon by the little brother. He worshiped him. He idolized him, and when the older brother would get angry, get drunk, or get into fights, the little boy wanted to be just like him.”