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“So, I won’t be cramping your style?”
Her tone is teasing, and something happens inside my chest. I’ve missed her so fucking much. She’s the other half of me, and now that she’s back, everything feels right again. It sounds cheesy as fuck, and I’m sure my brothers would have a field day if they could read my mind, but I feel complete.
“Never, sweets.”
“Good. Text me when you get there.”
“I will. If you change your mind, you know what to do.”
“I won’t, but thank you. I love you. Be safe. Have fun.”
“I love you too. I’ll see you soon.”
“See you soon,” she agrees, and the line goes dead.
I slide my phone back into my pocket and get my head back into the trip and off the love of my life. I mentally run down what I’ll need and if I’ve packed it. We all pitched in on food like always—now that we’re adults—and that includes the beer. Orrin and Dad were taking care of all of that. Deciding I have everything, I start loading up the truck. Once I’m finished, I make sure the house is secured and head out to pick up the twins.
The sun is setting, and even though it’s hotter than Satan’s ball sack, we’re sitting around a fire. We all have a beer in our hand. Well, all of us except for Brooks. He’s clutching his phone, ready to head home should he get a call from his wife. Palmer is only halfway through her pregnancy, and she’s been perfectly healthy, she and the baby, but Brooks is on edge, being over an hour away from her and their firstborn, Remi.
He’s missing his girls, and I get it. I think we all do. Well, maybe not Maverick and Merrick, but they’ve seen us all fall, so I’m sure they have an idea.
“I love my sisters,” Maverick speaks up. “I love all of my nieces and nephews, but y’all are old and boring.” He snickers.
We all know he’s just kidding, but there is also some truth to his words. “This is what we always do. Sit around the fire, drink a few beers, and shoot the shit,” I counter.
“Yeah, but we used to go swimming at night, and do more than just sip a few beers,” Merrick points out.
“Things change, little brother.” Orrin holds up the beer he’s been nursing.
“When I find my woman, I’m not going to change,” Maverick tells us.
“We’re still us,” Sterling speaks up. “Just better now.”
“Better?” Merrick asks.
“They make us better,” Declan adds.
“That’s the love of a good woman,” Dad chimes in. “I’m still me,” he continues. “I’m a better me. It’s not just me, because she’s a part of me.” He taps his chest over his heart. “When I make a decision, even something as simple as what to bring home for dinner, I consider your mother. Every single choice I make in life is with her and you boys in mind. You’re all grown, and most of you have your own families, and I know you understand.” He looks at me, and then at the twins.
“Ryder, I know you get it, son. You’ve endured a path with your Jordyn that none of us have had to travel. You’re still fighting for your forever, and, son, that’s all you can do. Fight for her. Fight for your love. It will be the hardest yet most rewarding fight of your life.” He pauses, taking a sip of his beer before turning his gaze toward the twins.
“The babies of the family.” Dad smirks, and the twins scoff, making us all laugh. “Double the trouble, but you’ve had the advantage of watching your older brothers on their path to their futures. Sitting around this fire, you have a wealth of knowledge and support. When the time comes, when you get to the ‘love harder’ part of the family motto, remember that. Remember that you have this big, loving family to support you, and we’ve all been there.”
“He’s right,” Brooks speaks up. “Outside of Orrin, who’d already found Jade, I was flying solo when Palmer and I got together. Nothing against Dad, but sometimes it’s nice to have someone who’s closer to you in age—” Brooks coughs the last word, and we all laugh, including Dad. He knows we’re just giving him shit. “—to talk to.”
“I’d like to think after watching all of you, we’re all set,” Maverick tells us.
“Yeah, we’ve got this.” Merrick holds his fist out to Maverick and they bump knuckles.
“It seems that way.” Rushton nods. “Until you’re living it.”
“When you hear people say it’s complicated, that shit is fact,” Archer agrees.
“Try being a single dad and finding someone who will love your daughter like you do,” Declan speaks up.
“Pfft, Kennedy fell for Blakely first,” I say teasingly.
Declan nods. “Right? The hard part was convincing her I was worth the effort.”
