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“Do what?”
“Marriage and kids and stuff. With Mabry.”
“I’d like to,” he answers simply. “We’ll see.”
He turns back to the game, but I stare at him for a moment wondering how he can be so laid back. Harper and I are both so high strung; it’s like Twain is adopted or something. I used to think that was a fault, that he wasn’t driven like Harper and me. Now I envy it. In my professional and personal life.
“What?” he snaps when he realizes I’m still looking at him.
I shake my head and look away, reminding myself I don’t want to talk to either of my siblings about Julie.
“I kissed her the other night.”
Way to go, mouth.
I hold my breath waiting for Twain to swoop in and hammer at me with words of wisdom. But he only shoots me a little grin and a lazy shrug.
“She slap you?”
“No.”
“Okay, that’s a good start.”
That’s all he says before he focuses on the boys again. I’m shocked and relieved, too, that my mouth decided to tell Twain that and not Harper. If this were Harper, she might grab Julie off the bleachers, drag her back here, and force some sort of confrontation.
When the game’s over, the boys run straight to Mabry, stars in their eyes, excited to see her. I get it; she’s pretty, and she’s fun. She’ll be a good aunt. As laid back as Twain is, I do see the two of them tying the knot eventually. I’ve never seen him happier, and that’s saying a lot, because Twain’s a positive person.
All of us are standing at the side of the bleachers now, waiting for the boys so we can go home. Mabry tugs on both of their hats, her affection for them lights up her smile. Aunt? She’s going to be a good mom one day. That thought makes me happy, but it also turns all of my attention back to Julie.
I wonder if she has her car here, or if she came with Dani and Eric.
“Can we go get ice cream?” Ethan says to Twain. Keith shoots me a deadpan look and rolls his eyes.
“You bet.” Twain nods and slaps Ethan’s hand in a high five. Ryle shifts his snack to his left hand so he can high five his uncle, too.
“Can I go, Mom?”
Julie glances at me and looks back at Ryle.
“Yes.”
The boys throw their fists in the air and holler like they just won the World Series. The smile on Ryle’s face warms my heart. He’s finally coming out of his shell and becoming more social. I’m glad I’m here to see it.
“I’ll bring him home later,” Mabry tells Julie.
“Thanks.”
Ryle gives me a quick one-armed hug around my legs, and then I spin and watch the boys run to Twain’s truck. Twain and Mabry follow hand in hand.
“Gonna go check on Harp,” Keith announces, and suddenly, it’s just me and Julie and her friends. Dani sizes me up and glances at Julie.
“Wanna grab something to eat?”
Is it my imagination, or does she sound hopeful? Like she wants to get Julie away from me?
“Um.” Julie looks at me. I clench my teeth together to keep my traitorous mouth from opening again. Better to play this cool, I remind myself. Let Julie be in charge. “No. I’m good. Thanks.”
Dani shoots me a frown, but she nods quickly and flashes me a quick smile.
