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“Come take a seat, beautiful.” Lincoln motions to the empty chair next to him. There are seven double wide chairs spread around the fire, just like there always have been.
“How’s the new job going?” Blake asks, his attention jumping from me to Wyatt and back again.
I slowly lower myself into the free chair. There’s enough room for Wyatt to sit next to me, but he makes no move to take the spot. Instead, he’s standing behind me with his hand on my shoulder.
“It’s going pretty well. I'm trying to find a good flow and get to know the guys a little better.”
“Are any of those assholes giving you a hard time?” Dad lifts his gaze from the flames dancing between us and stares at me.
“No-” I begin, but Wyatt cuts me off.
“I'm taking care of it,” Wyatt growls. “I’ve always protected her and I'm never going to stop.”
Dad’s attention stays on Wyatt for a solid ten seconds before he nods his approval and severs their eye contact so he can kiss Mom’s head. She cuddles into his chest and I grin. I’ve missed seeing the two of them together. They’ve always been couple goals for me and seeing them together makes me want to find my happily ever after even more.
“Sit down, Wyatt. You look awkward just standing there.” Sammie motions to him with a smirk.
“There aren’t any chairs,” he deadpans.
“Oh please! Like you haven’t squeezed onto a chair with Charlie in the past.” Cole rolls his eyes.
“Oh my gosh! Are you happy now?” Wyatt drops down onto the chair next to me.
Our shoulders to our knees are pressed up against each other and I swear it’s the most awkward position ever. Wyatt’s sitting tensely next to me and my hands are folded in my lap like I'm trying to be all prim and proper.
“Holy shit. I’ve never seen two people look more uncomfortable.” Nate snorts with laughter.
“Wow, thanks, Uncle Nate.” I roll my eyes.
“I'm sorry.” He laughs even harder, making everyone else chuckle. “Just put your arm around her, man.”
Wyatt lets out a long sigh and drapes his arm across my shoulders. Without thinking about it, I cuddle into his side and place my head on his shoulder. When I glance around, everyone’s gaze is locked on me.
“What?” I snap a little too harshly, but I feel like everything Wyatt and I do is being examined under a microscope.
“Nothing, we just haven’t seen the two of you together in a long time. It’s nice,” Blake says softly.
“I forgot how adorable you are,” Kennedy coos.
“Mom,” Wyatt groans.
“Don’t ‘Mom’me. I miss this.” She motions in our general direction. “Addi and I worked hard to foster this relationship. So, sue me for being sad it’s over.”
“They’re adults now, Kenny. They’re going to do whatever they want, even if you don’t like it.” Blake tightens his hold on her.
“Well, I don’t like it. I don’t like it one bit.”
“Let the kids live their lives. We all did whatever we wanted and didn’t care how our parents felt about it.” Cole waves her off. He followed his dreams and got exactly what he wanted in life, but it cost him his entire family in the process. They weren’t supportive of him and he was happy to leave them behind.
“Ok, but I have a real question for you, Charlie.” Kendra sits on the edge of her seat and rests her elbows on her knees. “Do you get to touch all of the hot baseball players? And do they wear those delicious pants even when they’re not playing?”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Wyatt groans. “You know Leo and I are players too, right? Nick, I think your wife is checking us out.”
“Oh, please! I'm not interested in the two of you. You might as well be blood related to me.” She frowns at him and shakes her head before turning her focus back to me. “But Wheeler or Smithy? They’ve captured my attention.” She smirks.
Chapter 20
Wyatt
