Page 62 of Sundown Somewhere

“Exactly what is it?” Ewan asks.

“I redesigned the playground at Newton Field. All new setup, new equipment. Composite materials, so it’s more sustainable and environmentally friendly. There’s a whole theme to it, as a reference to Peter and Wendy, because of our history.”

I wait for the comments. The jokes. The jeers. I’m ready for them. But there’s nothing but the rustling of the branches and birds chirping. If there were crickets, you could literally here them right now.

“Dude, that’s actually really romantic,” Jace comments. “Like romance novel romantic.”

I huff out a laugh. He would know. Our coffee table is littered with them since they’re his reading material of choice.

“Especially considering that you weren’t the one marrying her,” Ewan says.

I nod, looking down at the ground. Ewan’s muffled ow makes me laugh again, and I’m left to guess which one of them hit him for making the comment. He’s not wrong though. I also know he knows what it’s like to watch the girl he loves from afar, so he gets a pass in my book.

“I have to find a way to build that playground, y’all.” I mean it. I do.

I don’t know why I’m so hell-bent on it, but I am.

“We will,” Gus says.

“It’s the only way that…”

“What?” Milo asks, calling me on it. “Only way what?”

“Nothing.”

He narrows his eyes, not believing me. But that’s not a conversation for a peach grove. Besides, we all have jobs to get back to.

“I have a paper mill that needs me.”

“Booby Trap has a delivery in twenty,” Ewan comments, glancing at his phone.

“If y’all want peaches this summer…”

“You’re the one who dragged us out here!” Jace exclaims.

“I was going to tell you to pray,” Anton finishes.

“You better pray I don’t kick your ass…”

I walk away, leaving my brothers behind me, Jace and Anton still bickering. I half expect Milo to try to run up and catch me alone, but he doesn’t, giving me enough time to make a clean escape. Once I’m in my truck, I pull out my phone, noticing a text from Dolly containing a photo of a chicken pot pie, my favorite.

My mouth waters, although I’m not sure if it’s because of the food or the thought of a kiss from her. I really do need to get back to the paper mill. But when your girl makes your favorite lunch, it’s rude not to stop by, right?

Right.

Detour it is.

17

DOLLY

No one ever talks about what the cat that ate the canary felt like. We all know what he looks like—guilty as fuck. But what did he feel like? Because I’m pretty sure right now I feel like that cat.

And damn it, do I want to talk about it? Fuck, yes. I would like to tell everyone just how good that damn canary tastes. Like firewood and smoke, wintergreen, all the mysteries of the universe, and the key to unlocking them at the same time.

Except I was the one who suggested we keep it to ourselves. Which means I shouldn’t.

Alice eyes me suspiciously from the other side of the table she, Rose, Emily, and I are currently seated around at Ming Garden waiting on Margeaux to arrive. The escape from Hickory Hills for girls’ night is freeing. A likely contributing factor to my burning desire to spill like an overturned oil tanker.