Josh eyed the rest of the counter and saw Hailey had already sliced tomatoes and ripped apart some lettuce for everyone. Buns were open on a tray with what looked like mayo on one side and cheese on the other, and Josh’s mouth started to water. A breakfast burgersounded amazing after a day on the slopes.
They planned to make s’mores later that night around the backyard’s fire pit while they waited for midnight and a sky full of fireworks.
It was their last night in the Poconos and their last night of shenanigans before they returned to Cherrywood the next day.
Emilio and Abby would be leaving for their travels in less than a week. A part of Josh was devastated they wouldn’t be around for a while, although he was excited to live vicariously through them.
It wasn’t like there was much stopping Josh from traveling. He and Riley had done well when it came to building their business. And they’d saved a ton by living together for so many years. Maybe they could meet Abby and Emilio at some point and explore a new city together.
Part of him ached to visit China to see if he had any distant family left. His father was an only child, but his mother had a brother. There was apparently some kind of falling out with their families when they emigrated to America, which was why his parents left him in the Browns’ care instead of returning him to his family in Asia.
He missed hisMamaandBàbaand wished he had more time with them, but he was thankful for his mom and dad, Leigh Anne and Eddie. And, of course, for Riley and the rest of the Hansons.
He'd long considered all of them his adopted family. Which was one more reason he couldn’t be with Riley. They were practically brothers, growing up next door to each other. They’d had tons of sleepovers, which was how Riley was so familiar with his nightmares.
Would it be weird to ask him to fall asleep on top of him again? He was an idiot for leaving his weighted blanket at home, the one solution he’d found for the dreams that had plagued him since the accident. Dreams that reminded him over and over again that it was all his fault. If he hadn’t begged his parents to drive the long way home for ice cream, they’d still be alive. It was the one secret he’d never shared with Riley. And it was the main reason he’d never be good enough for him. Riley didn’t deserve someone so selfish and guilty. Riley deserved someone perfect, someone without such a stain on their life. Josh hoped he’d find it one day, even if it meant giving him up. Even though it would kill him.
Their bellies full of mouth-watering burgers, they huddled around the fire pit as they watched Avery build a blaze. He’d earned that task after a minute of bickering over who could handle it and everyone voting that Avery was the adultiest adult and thus the most trustworthy with fire. Cole sulked about it, which proved he was way less adult-y.
The fire pit was surrounded with sectional chairs that could be moved around on the patio, making it easy forthem all to get a good spot close to the warm embrace of the flames.
“Oh, I almost forgot to tell you,” Cole said, disturbing the comforting crackling of the fire. “Tobias said we can use the open space in the gym forAbilio’sgoing away party.”
“Really? He doesn’t mind?” Abby asked, completely ignoring his use of Abilio. Apparently, that was a thing now. “How’d you get him to go for that?”
“Exchange of goods,” Cole said with a wink, causing Elena to roll her eyes. “I helped him out with something, so this is his repayment.”
“Thank you for that, although I worry what this something could be,” Emilio said.
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing illegal or scandalous. It’s something to help him with a certain someone. Plus, we have to clean the place afterward. Easy trade-off.”
“That’s awesome. Colin will want to play on all of the gym equipment, though,” Abby said, talking about her young nephew.
“Actually, he’s thinking of adding a kids’ class where kids can join their parents for a workout, so he hoped to chat with your sister about being a tester.”
“Oh my goodness, that’s such a cute idea,” Hailey said. “Kind of like those ‘Mommy and Me’ classes?”
“Exactly, except it will be for all types of parents,” Cole said.
“That sounds like something Alyssa and Bri would be interested in,” Abby said, talking about her sister and sister-in-law.
“I’m just glad we get to see you at least one more time before you leave,” Riley said, and Josh leaned into his side for support. “It won’t be the same without you two around here.”
Everyone around their circle nodded in agreement, offering their own musings on one of the core members of their group leaving. They’d all gotten used to having Emilio around too. He quickly fit right in with their group, and no one wanted to say goodbye.
“No tears tonight, you guys,” Abby blurted. “Tonight is for celebration and looking forward to the new year.”
The group raised their glasses around the fire, toasting to their little family.
Later that night, as the clock struck twelve and the sky lit up with fireworks, Josh threw his arm around Riley, who settled his head against Josh’s shoulder.
Josh brushed a kiss on the top of his head and whispered, “Happy New Year, Ri.”
It was a tradition they started when they were kids and their parents were celebrating the new year together.
Riley turned and planted a kiss on his cheek, leaving behind a comfortable warmth. “Happy New Year, Josh.”
No matter what the new year had in store, Josh was going to put Riley first. Like always.
