The crew. His friends. That means a weekend with Seth Tyler and EJ Dalton, both absolute beauties. Wyatt Caulfield is a part of that crew, too, but he moved here a couple of years back andfeels like more of a friend of mine now, rather than just a friend of Lowesy’s.
It also means the girls will be here. Avery Oliver and Penelope Sweeten in a room together is the best kind of bad news. Add in Tiffany and Lauren? Pure, unrelenting chaos. Take cover.
So, of course, I have to see it. Sign me the hell up for that madness.
“I’ll be there,” I tell him.
He smiles. “Perfect. She’ll be happy to hear that.”
“Youaren’t happy to hear that?” I bite back a smirk. I’m not Penny’s groomsman. I belong to him.
Dec shrugs, turning down my long, tree-covered driveway. “I’m just trying to survive here, man. I can’t even remember what she wanted to go over, but I value my life too much to ask. What Idoknow is that my part involved getting you guys there. She made little table settings with your names on them and everything.”
I smile gently. It’s sweet.They’resweet. Never seen my boy in love before, but the first time I ever saw him look at her, I knew it was over for the rest of the female population. There was no shot for anyone else. Not with her in the world.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited for the wedding and I can’t wait to marry the fuck out of that woman, but her stress makes me stressed, and I fear we won’t make it two more months without her combusting into flames.” He lets out a sigh, adjusting his hat on top of his dark hair. “Can’t really win another cup if I’m cremated before the season starts, can I?”
I chuckle, reaching across to smack my hand onto his shoulder. “Let me know if you need a hand with anything. Literally anything. Table settings included. I’ll make myself available. Extend the message to Penny.”
Dec dips his chin. “Thanks, Boss, but I don’t think she’d relinquish power to anyone unless she has a shoulder-length bob and two last names.”
Avery Oliver Tyler. The half of Penny’s heart that isn’t made up of Declan Lowes.
Lowesy pulls up next to my truck, bringing me right to my door like a perfect gentleman. I glance at him. “You better tell Forker three times a day about these plans, and four times the morning of. You know him, he might not show up.”
Declan barks a laugh.
Carter missed a poker night that Declan had planned. It was a ruse to ask us to be his groomsmen. Carter was upset about the woman he was pretending to date, who he is now dating for real, so he forgot about it altogether. I know. I’m surrounded by idiots. Anyway, we’ve never let him live it down. He wears his shame like a wounded child and it’s absolutely hysterical to watch.
Lowesy doesn’t actually have to worry, and we both know that. Forker would never miss another event unless he was buried six feet under.
It’s just funny to wind up The Beast.
We say our goodbyes and I trudge up the steps to the house. I take a quick glance out back, listening for the normal hustle and bustle of the animals. I don’t have a farm in the typical sense. Sure, I’ll get my eggs from the hens, but I’m not running this place for an income or as a homestead. I’m not killing anything for meat or fur. I just like animals and having something to do.
Lowesy once called this place The Land of the Misfits, and he’s right. I scowled at him, like I was offended, but the title does fit. I tend to adopt animals that wouldn’t otherwise be given a chance elsewhere. I have a dog with three legs, a rooster who lost his voice and it never returned, and a cow with a personalvendetta against the colour purple. They are misfits.Weare misfits. So yeah, the title can stay.
Welcome to Misfits Farm, everybody.
Hanging my keys by the door, I kick off my shoes and run a hand over my face. It’s the off-season, so I’m not bogged down and worn out from hockey. It’s life’s turn for that. I hate these months, despite the nice weather. Not having hockey to exhaust me leaves me unfulfilled and stir crazy. I know I have the farm, and it will keep me busy, but there’s nothing that quiets my head more than weeks filled with games.
I fish out my phone as I drag myself into my spacious living room and drop onto the sofa.
Kane. So many missed calls.
I ignored them.
I open our text thread. I almost find it funny that the last time he texted me was a year and a half ago, and it was regarding the exact same thing he’s texting me about now. What a lovely relationship we have.
Kane
Still no sign of them. Anyone call you?
Why would they? I don’t think I’m either of their emergency contacts. I haven’t seen Mom or Dad in well over a decade.
Me
Nothing. Did you file a report?
