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I knew Blakely was calling from Palmer’s phone. Declan didn’t recognize the number, but Blakely told him that since Rams was flirting with Deacon, Palmer said she could use hers. We all got a laugh out of that, even Deacon.
I stand and pretend to be grabbing a drink out of the cooler that’s behind Declan and chance a peek at his phone. I try not to let my disappointment show when I don’t see anyone but my niece smiling back at me.
“Oh! Uncle Brooks. Hi.” Blakely gets closer to the phone and waves. She’s so close, all I can see is her nose. I shake my head. “Did you hear that Palmer is taking my picture?”
“I heard, sweetheart,” I tell her.
“We all heard you, Blake,” Maverick calls out.
“It’s so fun!” she says again, making us all laugh.
I stare at my niece over my brother’s shoulder. I’m ready to turn and go back to my seat when my girl appears on the screen. My. Girl. My eyes take her in like a man who’s been stranded in the desert for hours and was just handed a bottle of water. She hands my niece a juice box and smiles at her like she’s her own flesh and blood.
“What do you say, squirt?” Declan asks his daughter.
“Thank you, Palmer.”
“You’re welcome.” Palmer’s eyes finally look into the phone, and they land on me. They soften, and she waves. “Hey,” she says softly.
Declan turns to look at me over his shoulder, but I ignore him and focus on her. “You ladies having a good time?” I ask. I keep my tone even as if we were discussing the weather.
“So much fun,” Blakely answers for her.
“There you go.” Palmer grins. “Girls’ weekends are the best, huh, Blake?” she asks, wrapping her arms around my niece and hugging her. Blakely giggles and I can’t help but smile.
“Blake!” I hear someone call. “It’s hair time!” Piper appears in the background holding up a can of hairspray. “Hey, guys, I need to steal the star of the shoot,” Piper tells us.
“Daddy, I gots to go. It’s girls’ weekend. Love you lots.” She hands the phone to Palmer, and then she’s gone.
“Well, all right then.” Palmer smiles at the screen.
“Thanks for letting her call me,” Declan says.
“She’s such a great kid, Declan.”
He nods. “She loves hanging out with all of you. I appreciate it.” There is so much he’s not saying. So many emotions in that statement. Declan worries about his daughter not having a mother, but we’ve got her. Mom, Ramsey, and now Jade, and even Piper and Palmer. She’s a happy, well-adjusted little girl.
“It’s our pleasure. I can confidently speak for all of us. She’s a joy.”
“She can call anytime,” Declan tells her.
“She’s going to be fine, Declan,” she assures him. “But if she asks to call, we’ll be sure to let her. You guys have fun.”
My heart races. I’m not ready for her to hang up yet. I haven’t told her how beautiful she looks or that I miss her like a fucking limb. I open my mouth to say something, anything, but quickly close it, remembering where I am.
“Have fun, guys.” She waves with a wide smile, and then the screen goes black.
Declan shoves his phone back into his pocket and takes a pull off his beer. I force my feet to move as they carry me back to my chair. I drop into it, staring into the fire. My hands itch to call her, to text her, to tell her this hiding is bullshit. I want her to be mine. I want to call her and tell her goodnight and not give a flying fuck who hears me.
I never intended to fall for her.
Yet here we are.
“Are we playing flashligh tag or what?” Maverick asks.
“Tomorrow night,” Sterling suggests. “I’m exhausted.”
“Pussy,” Archer coughs into his hand.
