AllFreeNovel
Share Us
* * *
I’ve been hiding in the kitchen for the past fifteen minutes, so basically, since we got here. I’ve kept myself busy with marking the pizza boxes and helping Carol with paper plates, napkins, and anything else I can think of to avoid going outside with the rest of them.
“Palmer, I’ve got this. Go on outside with the others.”
“I don’t mind helping.”
“Mamaw,” Blakely says, coming into the room. “I gots to go potty, and it's stuck.” She pulls at the bib overalls she’s wearing.
Carol smiles at me. “I’ll be right back.” She takes Blakely by the hand, and they rush off down the hall to go potty.
Letting out a heavy sigh, I brace my hands on the counter just as the back door opens, and Brooks walks in. He smiles, but I can see that it’s not his happy-to-see-me smile. He’s uncertain.
“Hey, beautiful,” he greets.
“Hi, big guy.” I smile. I can’t seem to stop myself.
“Are you hiding in here?”
Yes. “No, I was helping your mom get set up. She just took Blakely to the potty.”
He nods as he comes to stand next to me. He bends over and kisses the corner of my mouth. “I’ve missed you.” He then presses his lips to my forehead before standing and taking a few steps back, putting some distance between us.
“I’m sorry.” There is so much to that apology that he doesn’t understand, but he will soon enough. I just can’t keep going like this. My heart is unraveling with each passing day, waiting for the day he’s done. I have to be the one to do it. I can’t keep waiting and wondering. It’s killing me.
“How was dress shopping?”
“Good. She found the one. The first one she tried on, actually. A bridezilla she is not.”
“I could never see Ramsey being a bridezilla. She’s just too nice for that.”
“Yeah,” I agree. “I think her upbringing put a lot of that pretentious stuff in check for her. She knows what’s important. The day, the man, and their forever.” I almost choke on the words because my mind once again flashes to me in a white dress walking toward him.
“I’d say you’re right.” He pauses, looks over his shoulder, and back to me. “Can I see you tonight?”
“I have lots of edits to work on, and I rode with Ramsey. I’m not sure how long we’ll be here.”
He nods. “I’m not sure either. But if it’s not too late, hell, even if it is, I want to see you.”
“Can we just play it by ear?” I ask him.
He opens his mouth to reply and thinks better of it, quickly closing it and nodding. “Okay.”
“Uncle Brooks, we’re having pizza!” Blakely rushes toward him, and he bends to catch her in his arms, setting her on his hip.
“I can see that.”
“Oh, Palmer, can you spend the night with me?”
Brooks chokes on a laugh.
“Yeah, Palmer, I’m sure Declan won’t mind,” Merrick says, coming up behind Brooks and tickling Blakely, making her squirm in his arms.
Brooks sets her back on her feet and crosses his arms over his chest, glaring at his little brother. “Or not.” Merrick holds his hands up in defense.
“I’ll go ask him.” Blakely rushes to the back door, pushes it open, and yells, “Daddy, can Palmer spend the night with us?”
I hear raucous laughter from the backyard, and that earns a growl from Brooks.
