Page 44 of Accidentally in Love

“Oh, got it!”

He walked down the steps and dropped the box on the floor. I closed up the attic, and we went into the living room. I inspected the area and tried to figure out where to put the tree.

“In the corner,” Dec offered.

“Okay. Yeah,” I said in agreement.

My brother and I worked to get the tree set up and started decorating it. Dec looked over at me while he hung a candy cane on a branch. “Maybe you should take the night off,” he suggested.

“Why?” I grumbled and started fixing everything he did.

I frowned when I realized Mom used to do that. This holiday was hard on me. When our parents died, I had to do everything to ensure my little brother was taken care of. I didn’t resent Dec for it, but it had been a massive undertaking at eighteen.

“Everything’s happening so fast. You need to spend time with Avery.”

“Why?”

“To figure out the wedding and all the other stuff.”

I shrugged. “She wants a courthouse wedding. Don’t even think about trying to set up a bachelor party. I don’t want it.”

“Come on, we could get all the guys and go to a Bulldogs game; you’d love it. Hockey and beer, your two favorite things.”

I stroked my beard as I thought about his suggestion. He was right about that, but I couldn’t afford to take any time off from the brewery. Especially when I had a baby on the way.

“I’m good. Come outside and help me put up the lights before Avery gets home.”

We grabbed our coats and walked outside. Declan untangled the lights from the plastic bag someone had shoved them inside. I grabbed the ladder from the shed and put it against the house. Declan directed me where to hang the lights while he held the ladder. I wasn’t sure how long we had been out there, but it felt like it took forever. I didn’t care how long it took; I just wanted it to be perfect for Avery.

“I think it looks good,” Declan called up to me.

I walked down the ladder, and he ran inside to flip the switch. The house lit up with twinkling white lights, like some fucking winter wonderland. Avery never would have expected me to decorate for Christmas. I wanted to surprise her with it, to make it feel like this was her home, too.

Dec came out of the house and whistled. “Looks good. She’s gonna love it.”

I frowned and ran a hand down my beard. “I hope so. I want everything to be perfect for her.”

Dec nudged me with his elbow. “Take the night off. Go help your baby mama get the rest of her stuff and get situated. The brewery will be fine without you for one night. Okay?”

“I…”

He cut me off by holding up his hand. “Nolan, this is why we have staff. You don’t have to work your fingers to the bone like when we first opened. You’re the head brewer. You don’t have to micromanage every tiny detail of the process. I know you’re stressed about money, but it’s gonna be okay.”

“I want to be good enough for her. And for Peanut.”

“Peanut?” he asked with a confused look.

I shrugged. “It’s what I call the baby.”

My brother beamed at me. “That’s so cute.”

I punched him in the shoulder. “Shut it!”

He pushed me back. “Get out of here. I’ll handle shit at the brewery tonight. Go help your lady.”

Declan didn’t have a life outside of the brewery, either. He was just as bad as I was. I couldn’t remember the last time he even went on a date. I don’t think he’s had a serious relationship since his high school girlfriend Lila broke his heart when she went to college in California and never came back.

I was about to run back into the house for my car keys when two cars pulled up into the driveway. I planned to go over to Avery’s apartment to help so she didn’t have to carry all those boxes inside. She shouldn’t be lifting anything heavy in her condition. I hadn’t realized how long it took us to get the tree up and decorated. Getting the lights up on the house had taken longer than I would have liked, even with my brother’s help. I felt like a dick. I should have helped her pack up all her things.