Page 100 of Mine to Gain

A little while later, after she said yes, and my mother, Lizzy, and Trix have already planned our entire wedding over the course of a couple hours, I head downstairs to grab a beer out of the fridge. Rob is sitting there staring out at the water, and I pat him on the back as I walk by.

“How’s fatherhood treating you? Getting any sleep at all?” I ask.

“A little bit here and there. Enough anyway. Trying to take some of the pressure off of her so she can get some and we don’t both feel like we’re on the edge of sanity. This shit is no joke. I didn’t give you enough credit for being able to do that and play ball and take classes. In retrospect, I don’t fucking know how you did any of it.”

“I had to do it for Lizzy. It was hard, but it was worth it.” I shrug.

“She’s thrilled today, huh? She about died when Bea said yes. So much screaming.” Rob laughs. “I don’t know how you top that birthday present next year.”

“Next year, she might get a car if she keeps her grades up. She’s already been window shopping with Trix.” I smile thinking about it because I think Trix is almost as excited for her as Lizzy is.

“I’m happy for you both, you know. I wasn’t always. I know I was a dick about it at first. I said some fucked up shit. I still say it was kind of a dick move on your part. But seeing the two of you together—how happy she is—I get it.”

It’s the most he’s ever said about the matter since last summer. We’ve mostly just avoided the subject, sticking to safer topics like football and the weather when we talk.

“I’m glad you’re in a better place on it.” I choose my words carefully. “I love her. I can’t imagine life without her.”

“I figured that, what with the career-ending injury for her and all. That doesn’t bother you ever? No regrets?”

“I’d do it all over again if I had to.”

“Well, like I said. I’m happy for you.” Rob tips his beer in my direction, and I tap the neck of my bottle against his in a toast. I don’t know that Rob will ever completely forgive me for it, but I’ll take peace with him if I can get it. In the end, he’s my brother, and I want Trix to know she has a home with our family.

“What are you guys drinking?” She grins at the two of us. “And can I get one? Your mother and Carly have been showing me all the different table-setting options they think would be perfect for us, and I need a breather.”

“Just some local beer. I can get you one. You want to watch a movie?” I ask as I go to the fridge.

“Sounds good to me. You and Carly want to join? Did Sienna go down okay?” Trix looks to Rob. She’s been trying to make peace with him and smooth everything over. Carly’s firmly in her corner, even after finding out the truth about their history, but Rob’s only recently come around.

“Yeah, she’s good. I’ve got the monitor. We can watch. Or we can play some cards.” He taps the baby monitor.

“Let’s not do anything competitive today, maybe?” Trix winces a little at the thought.

“Fine. Just don’t make us watch another one of those romcoms,” Rob grumbles.

“Carly likes them!” Trix argues.

“And so do I. The part where he gets the girl to finally admit she wants him? Fucking love it.” I wrap my arm around Trix’s waist as I hand her the beer, and she leans into me, smiling up. Her ring flashes when she takes the beer, and I grin at it.

“You would.” My brother side-eyes me, but there’s the slightest hint of a smile as we make our way back upstairs to find Carly.

Trix squeezes my hand though and pauses me on the step, waiting to make sure Rob’s out of earshot.

“Everything good?” she asks.

“Yeah. He said he was happy for us.” I shrug. “I don’t know if I completely believe it, but it’s progress.”

“Good. I’m glad you’re getting along again, at least. Talking more,” she says softly.

“So is my mom driving you mad yet?”

“No. Overwhelming me a little with options. My mom would have picked a few and had me choose my favorite. Those two are going to be an interesting mix when they get together.” She smiles.

“I think they’re going to make an amazing team planning everything so that you just have to show up and say you’ll be mine for the rest of your life.”

“Let’s hope so. With all the new clients, I don’t know when I’ll have time to plan it properly. We have to talk about a date.”

“My only input is the sooner, the better. I can’t wait to call you my wife. Gonna say it like fifty times a day just so I can hear it and know it’s true.” I kiss her softly, and her eyes open slowly, studying my face as I pull away.

“How did I get so lucky?”

“Easy, you suffered through the wrong brother for a few years until you picked the right one.”