Reed smiles as he crosses the deck. “Didn’t realize this is where the party is.”
Gramps sighs. “It was peaceful until now.”
“That’s rude,” Reed says, flopping into an open chair and stealing a pretzel. “I bring fun and youthful energy to every situation.”
“You bring noise and chaos,” I say. “And you’re thirty-seven, not that youthful.”
“I’m in my prime,” he scoffs, tossing a pretzel in the air and catching it in his mouth. “So what are we talking about? The weather? Which slippers are the most comfortable? The excitement never ends with you two.”
“We were about to start a few chores,” I say.
Reed makes a disapproving face. “Hard pass.”
“I thought you bring ‘youthful energy,’” Gramps drolls.
“Yeah, but I’m not wasting it on manual labor. If you need emotional support, I’m your man.”
“You’re something all right,” I mutter.
Reed ignores me, pulling another chair over and kicking his feet up on the seat. Tipping his face toward the sun, he closes his eyes. My brother’s like a hurricane blowing through. He’s a larger-than-life presence, and not often idle or silent. My gaze flicks to Gramps, and he’s looking at me with raised eyebrows. Both of us are wondering how long the silence will last.
“You two need to relax,” Reed says without opening his eyes. “You’re ruining my chill.”
Gramps snorts. “Yourchillis giving me anxiety.”
“I think I liked it better when it was just you and me out here,” I say to Gramps, making sure my brother hears.
“Hey,” Reed protests, eyes still closed. “Consider yourselves lucky I’m gracing you with my presence. I could be doing something incredibly productive right now.”
“Like what?” I ask.
“Making trades for my fantasy football team.”
Gramps groans. “Lord help us.”
“You know you love me,” Reed replies, grinning.
Gramps nods. “I do, but I’m not exactly sure why.”
“Okay,” I say, standing and stretching. “I’m gonna grab my toolbox and knock out the step. You two can stay here and supervise or nap.”
Reed gives me a lazy salute without opening his eyes.
Gramps leans back in his chair and takes another sip of his beer. “I think I’ll sit here for now. If I fall asleep, I expect you to cover me with a blanket.”
“If? I’ll just get one now.” I step inside and remove the folded black blanket from the back of my couch. Next, I get my toolbox from the garage and then return to the deck.
“Here you go.” I pass the blanket to Gramps.
He unfolds the fleece and laughs when he sees the large white words written across the middle—Live, Laugh, Lobotomy.
“I gave him that,” Reed chimes in, his eyes still closed.
This annoying fucker.I shake my head, wondering how he always knows what’s going on. But he’s our annoying fucker, and I wouldn’t want him to change. I descend the small staircase and get to work.
The flames dance inside the stone circle, casting its warmth out to us all.
“I brought s’mores fixings,” Willow says.
