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“Thanks, Nick.” Then she ended the call.
When it got dark, I called the boys in for video games while I made popcorn. I set up blankets and pillows, so they could watch movies in front of the TV. They fell asleep around nine.
I’d gotten a few messages from Abby saying she hoped she’d be able to leave soon. Each time, I told her not to worry.
With both boys asleep, I was relaxed.
I turned off the TV’s sound and went outside to drink a beer. The stars were clearly visible tonight, and one brighter star might have been a planet. I was searching on my phone to determine whether one was supposed to be visible tonight when I heard a soft knock on the door. A second later, my phone buzzed with an incoming text. Abby had arrived.
Twenty-One
ABBY
Not wanting to wake the boys, I knocked softly on the door. Then I sent a text to Nick announcing my arrival.
My feet hurt from being pinched in my shoes all day, and the pain at the base of my head had turned into a full-blown tension headache. But I still needed to wake a sleeping Hunter and get him home and tucked into bed for the night.
I wished I’d brought a change of clothes, so I’d at least be more comfortable. But I never expected the wedding to take so long.
When the door opened, I said, “Sorry I’m late.”
Nick looked relaxed in a black T-shirt and worn jeans. His feet were bare. It was quiet as he gestured for me to come inside. The TV screen lit up the living room, revealing the boys asleep on the floor.
“I hope they weren’t too out of control for you,” I whispered in a low tone.
“Not at all. It makes my life easier when Brody has someone to play with. Want to come outside for a quick drink?”
I shook my head. “I should get Hunter home.”
“He can sleep here tonight.”
Before I could protest, Nick grabbed a wine bottle and two glasses before heading through the living room to the slider door that opened to the backyard.
I followed him, maneuvering through the blankets and pillows strewn across the carpet. There were Nerf bullets covering every surface.
“It looks like they had fun,” I said when the slider was shut.
“We had a Nerf gun battle at some point. I hope that’s okay.”
I sighed, sinking into the cushion on one of the wicker chairs next to Nick. “I tried to keep guns out of the house, but I couldn’t avoid having a Nerf gun. It’s not a battle I fight anymore.”
“They had fun. We played arcade games and watched a movie before they passed out.”
“It sounds like the perfect day for the boys. How are you holding up?”
Nick poured the wine into the glasses and handed me one. “I should ask you the same question.”
I scanned through my body, assessing the aches and pains. “I feel better now.”
“Good.” Nick seemed pleased with my answer.
I sipped the wine, then asked, “Tell me the truth. How bad was it?”
I knew Hunter could play baseball for hours, then eat a ton of food. He wasn’t destructive; he was just exhausting.
“Honestly?” Nick looked at me, his expression vulnerable.
I nodded at him, encouraging him to continue.
