Page 46

"Well, apparently we’re having proper bath time later." I lean down and give Rose a loving pat. “Don’t you dare complain, because you’ve brought it upon yourself. Anyway," I straighten my back again. "Right now, I've got bigger problems."

"Newsflash, Brooke." We continue walking slowly. My families’ chatter echoes all the way over to us, the first few flames lighting up next to the main house.

"You don't always have to settle your problems alone. You've got parents who love you. And four brothers who would take a bullet or burn the city down for you."

"Oh, please." I burst into laughter so hard that I need to stop for a moment to catch my breath again. "You can't even light a damn match.”

“And you can't reach the top of your kitchen shelf, so what?" His laughter joins mine. "Just tell us if we can help."

"Thank you." I clear my throat and pat his arm. "You don't want to adopt two canaries by any chance?"

"Nah." He chuckles and bumps his shoulder against mine. "You know me, I love my silence. Maybe Mom and Dad would be more open to it. Or..." He lowers his voice and leans closer. "Hear me out. Ask Hudson."

"Hudson?" I stare at him. “Why him?”

"For his office." He starts walking again, still giggling. "Think of the irony. A loving bird pair in a divorce lawyer's office."

"It would be hilarious," I admit and bite my lip. "You know what? I'll ask him." I’m not sure it would hit his particular humor, though.

"Good luck."

We turn the corner of the main house to find the rest of the family plus Micah already huddled around the fire, a steady hum of conversations making its way over to us.

"There are the younglings," Dad declares with a smile wide enough to tell me he’s already tipsy, and hands both of us a bottle of cider.

"I brought some friends." I motion at the dogs. They stay at the corner, staring at the fire, clearly unsure of it. And I can't blame them. Smelling the smoke from the shelter must have been scary. Thank God they didn’t see the flames.

"Let them come here in their own time. Once they see there's food, I'm pretty sure they'll get curious. And remember, everyone." I shoot them all a glare, one by one. "Absolutely no chocolate. And please, no marshmallows either. I have some treats with me if you want to get into their good graces."

"Yes, ma'am." They respond in unison and sit down. Sam even does a mocking salute.

This fire spot has existed as long as we've lived here and provided more than one peak family time. After every graduation, every major event, we’d hang out here, let the day go out on a high note, only we used to drink apple juice instead of cider.

Early on, my brothers used to be overprotective when it came to having me around the fire. Which in turn made me even more determined to prove I was a big girl, and they didn’t need to fuzz.

I will say, on the day I accidentally singed off a chunk of my hair, I began to appreciate their protectiveness a little more.

Mom and Dad are sharing a loveseat, legs entangled and deep in a hushed conversation. Evan got himself a camping chair. Jamie and Sam are on a log talking in low voices, Micah on another chair, staring into the flames.

And Hudson's on the other couch, legs extended and sporting his perpetual frown.

"Hey, Hudson." I sit down next to him and hand him a marshmallow. Like the loving older brother he is, he puts it on a stick and holds it over the fire for me, the exact same way he did when I was too young and too scared of the fire to make my own s'more.

"I have a proposition for you. And it involves two canaries who are madly in love.”

Chapter 15

Kieran

Filming videos shirtless and with my face covered certainly isn't one of my favorite pastimes.

It is one of my best-paying pastimes, though. So here I am, by my garage, camera propped up on a tripod about five meters away from me, as I'm setting up to chop some firewood. While I’d love to film in front of my house instead, the slightest sliver of scenery will awaken the armchair detectives, and some geo guesser could probably find out where I live within an hour of posting.

Do I have regular heaters to keep my house warm this winter? Yes.

Do I need to chop wood? No.

So yes, I’m only filming myself wood-chopping for the social media algorithms. For some reason, dancing half naked to trending songs doesn’t nearly bring as many views as chopping wood half naked and breathing soft moans into my microphone.