“You totally should. We love it here, our own little piece of paradise.” Dennis smiles, then picks up a chewed-up tennis ball from the grass and whistles. Within seconds, a black blur bolts from the trees, tongue lolling from her mouth, sharp ears pointed to the sky. “There’s my girl!” Dennis squats, catches the dog, then tips over onto his back and grins. “You like dogs, Jett?” he pants.
“Uhm, sure, I guess.”
Wes drapes his arm over my shoulders. “Jett’s sister has a dog. Or more like a bear.”
“Oh yeah? What kind?” Dennis stands, then hurls the ball into the trees.
“A Great Dane.”
“Yep, that’s a fucking giant of a dog. You close? I mean, not you and the dog, unless you are. I mean you and your sister.”
Images of Halloween course through my mind. “Yeah, we’re close. She’s always been my protective big sis, I guess.” Wes grips my shoulder, and I lean into him. “Since my niece and nephew came along, we’ve gotten even closer.”
Dennis nods. “Yeah, I know what you mean. My brother had a kid last year, so it’s doubled up on the love, man. Now there’s this little guy you just wanna dote on all the time.” Dennis looks wistful. “Just wish they lived closer.”
“Speaking of kids,” Wes says as we continue walking toward the treeline. “What’s the status?”
Dennis’ smile widens. “We’re actually on a waiting list now.” He looks at me. “Mike and I wanna foster a kid, or two, before we maybe adopt one day. You know, kids who are a littlebigger and need a home. Most people want babies, but older kids need a home too.”
I nod. “Every kid needs a place to call home. Doesn’t matter how old you get.”
Wes bumps Dennis’ shoulder. “That’s amazing, man. My bestie is gonna be a daddy! So, when do you think it’ll be? When am I gonna be an uncle?”
“Well, now that we’re cleared as foster parents, we’re just waiting for a call, you know. It could be any day.”
“Wow, that’s insane. I’m so happy for you guys.”
The conversation drifts to other topics, like a new wildlife conservation project that Dennis is working on further up the coast. We join Mike on the deck, but my mind is stuck in a loop on the subject of kids. Would Wes want kids someday? He probably does. The way he acted so naturally around Mia and Mason, then the genuine joy in his eyes at hearing Dennis’ news. I don’t know if I want kids. I like them, sure, but how can you be a good dad when you fucking panic every time something unexpected happens? What do I have to offer? I’d probably mess the kid up so bad.
Wes smiles as he hands me a plate with grilled corn. “A penny for your thoughts.”
I swallow, accepting the plate. “Just… I like your friends.”
“Thanks, they’re good people.” His voice lowers. “They like you, too.”
I nod, pushing the feeling of unease away as I look at Mike. “This is amazing. I can’t remember the last time I had a barbecue.”
“We do it a lot,” Mike hums. “I love cooking.” He taps his head with his index finger. “Keeps my mind calm.”
His openness stuns me. When you first meet Mike and Dennis, they’re so different, like night and day. Mike is quieter, slightly guarded, perhaps. I can tell they’re in love, watching thesubtle movements, like Mike brushing along the gold band on Dennis’ ring finger or the way Dennis keeps piling more food on Mike’s plate. I wonder if they can tell that I’m in love with Wes, like my sister could. Is it obvious to people on the outside?
“So, baby, were you also fangirling over Jett in high school?” Mike says, cutting into his steak.
“’Course not! I only had eyes for you.”
Wes coughs into his hand. “Liar.”
“Shut up!” Dennis whines, while Mike laughs. “At least I didn’t have a scrap—Oh, shit.” Dennis claps a hand over his mouth, eyes wide with panic.
Wes waves him off. “The cat’s already out of the bag.”
“Yeah?” Dennis relaxes.
“Yep. You can thank Granddad.”
Dennis grins. “Oh, that’s fucking hilarious. Gotta love Granddad.”
I shake my head. I’m kind of flattered. I mean, how cute is that? Besides, I get to call himScrapbook Boyfrom now on.
