A stall door flies open, and Whitney is trailing Maggie out of her room. When she sees us, she pivots them so that they cancome this way. I’m guessing it’s less about saying hi and more about getting Maggie used to a crowd. “Hi, boys.”
“Whitney.” We both say in greeting. One of Maggie’s ears pin back, but her body isn’t as tense as it usually would be.
Whitney hones her attention on Haden. “You coming to dinner tonight, Haden?”
“Yes, Ma’am.” He tips his head. It isn’t lost on me that he doesn’t let his eyes wander below her chin. Now I’m the one tempted to reach up and check for a fever.
“Good.” She nods. “Make sure Vivienneactuallybrings the cookies she baked last night.”
Haden shifts, and I can see her statement makes him slightly uncomfortable. We all know they frequent each other’s homes. Aside from that, we don’t know much else. But, feeling generous today, I decide to change the subject and lighten the mood. For Haden’s sake, of course.
I cock my head, letting my eyes roam over Whitney. She looks beautiful, even in plain jeans and a sweatshirt. She always does. “You planning on working today, or just standing there lookin’ pretty?”
Whitney clicks her tongue. But she turns, and when her and Maggie’s backside is to us, flips me the bird over her shoulder. “Kiss my ass, Cowboy.”
I don’t stop the smile from ripping onto my lips. There’s an extra swish in her hips as she walks away. Her demeanor isn’t as haunted as it was after last night’s news, so I’ll take that as a small win for today.
I roll my shoulders,attempting to ease the tension lining them from today’s work. I’m used to the tired muscles and burn but that doesn’t mean it’s any more comfortable after years of doing it.
On the front porch, the old fireplace is blooming, music is blaring, and everyone’s either sitting in rocking chairs or playing yard games off the deck. I close the grill and step down the front porch steps right as Blake, Wesley, and Elain walk into the front yard. Our family BBQ is in full-swing now. I meet them halfway, tugging Elain into a side hug and ruffling her hair. “How you been, Elain? Pick a school, yet?”
She rolls her eyes, but pats me on the back in our awkward side-hug. “Not yet. Still looking, but planning to visit this one in New York that I’ve had my eye on.”
Elain turned nineteen this past summer. Blake and Wesley took her in when she was seventeen, and she's been with them ever since. She comes down to visit the animals quite often, and will occasionally come up to the house to chat.
She's been hesitant about leaving Clover-Hills since graduating high school, but I think Blake convinced her otherwise. After everything she's been through, leaving town might just be the best thing for her.
“What about the one in California?” I ask, scratching my chin in thought. “I heard you checked it out a few months ago.”
Elain grumbles, shooting a glare at Blake’s backside. She’s currently bent down and talking to Brinley. “Yeah, butsomeonelost their shit when-”
Wesley and Blake both whip their heads toward her, and shout, “Language!”
Elain gapes, but before she can defend herself, Brinley points at Elain and yells, “Shit!”
My hand shoots to my mouth to cover my laugh. Everyone around me does the same. Elain cringes, shooting an apologeticglance Whitney’s way. When I follow her line of sight, I find Whitney’s face beat red and her eyes wide. She’s doing her best not to laugh, too. Haden’s the first to interrupt the silence.
He pushes around Wesley and leans down to Brinley’s height. “High five, little one.” She gives him a high-five. “Now, can you say s-” Wesley interrupts him with a smack upside the head, “Don’t you dare.”
I walk around them to scoop Brinley up before a wrestling match can start. She snuggles her face into my neck, giggling. “Alright, that’s it.” I address everyone. “Your uncles aredefinitelynot allowed to babysit you.”
Everyone chuckles, and I turn towards the front door, not waiting for them to follow. “Now, everyone inside. Food’s about done and it looks like it’s gonna rain.”
We’re finally finishedwith dinner and gathered in the living room for the usual game night shenanigans. I usually pull down all the board games and let everyone hash out who was playing what. But instead, I’m tugging Whitney to the front of the room so that we’re facing everyone. She squeezes my hand tightly, slightly tugging back on it. “Rightnow?”Whitney hisses.
“Yes, right now.” I clear my throat, dropping her hand to clap mine and get everyone’s attention. I don’t wait for them to ask questions or read into how closely the two of us are standing. I rush the news out, ripping the band aid off and choosing to deal with the aftermath.
“We’re getting married.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
WHITNEY
Everyone gapes at us.
Elise and Ana grip each other like they might fall through the floor.
Haden takes a sip of his beer, seeming the least surprised.
