I bark out a laugh as I pop a piece of the tender pork into my mouth.
“Never, Nash. I’m not coming back full-time. I’ll only step in if youreallyneed me. I’m committed to seeing things through with the department—Chief Hollister is grooming me to take over in the next few years and I enjoy the work and hours I’m given.”
Jovie pats Nash’s hand lovingly as she smiles at me, “That’s amazing, Clay. You’ve really come into your own and seem to be finding your way in your new career. There’s nothing wrong with working in something outside of the family ranches.”
“Fire fighters are cool,” Cody says shrugging.
“So is the ranch,” Wilder retorts.
My bets on Wilder taking over Ashwood someday.
I know Jovie had said that last part more for Nash’s benefit than mine. She and I have had countless discussions about my goals and dreams since Savannah and I split—when my world turned upside down. Jovie is also the only one, besides Dallas, that I’ve confided in about my new recreational hobby. She’s been supportive, though cautious, always texting me every nightafterward to make sure I make it out okay.
“Jovie’s right. You’ve changed since starting work at the station. You seem more grounded, less tired and you’ve beefed up. No longer the skinny boy Wylie and I used to toss around,” Nash says with a chuckle as Jovie hides her smile behind her wine glass.
Working for the fire department came with plenty of perks, and access to their state-of-the-art workout equipment was one of them. It had been a game-changer for my recent muscle growth and bulking up and something that Dallas and I leveraged often for free.
“Thanks, bro.”
“How did your date go last week?” Jovie asks.
I shake my head. “Didn’t end up going.” Which was true, I’d cancelled at the last minute.
In the past six months since joining the department, I’ve not only stayed sober, but I’ve also overhauled my entire lifestyle—changing my diet, taking my mental health seriously, and being more intentional about the relationships I spent time pursuing. I’ve also been completely celibate during that time, fully locked in and focused on my goals.
“I’m just working on myself right now.”
Cody and Wilder both snort in sync as Jovie shoots them an exasperated look.
“What? Clay’s going to be single for forever if he’s staying away from women to ′work on himself,’”Wilder responds.
“That’s old people code for not being able to land any girls,” Cody chimes in.
I laugh. “‘Landing’ women has never been an issue for your uncle.”
Cody makes a face and an eye roll while Wilder wipes tears in his eyes.
“There’s no time better than your thirties to work on yourself. That’s when I met Jovie, and Wylie met Stevie. You’ll find someone worth settling down for eventually.”
I stifle the eye roll that I want to unleash on my brother. Wylie and Nash had been completely whipped from the moment they met the Vector sisters, and sure, I couldn’t blame them. Beautiful faces, stunning curves, and hearts of gold—even with Stevie’s sharp wit and a temper that could match Wylie’s. But ever since they’d both found love and gotten married, they seemed to think everyone was destined for the same wild, insta-love that they’d experienced.
As for me, I’m not so sure anymore.
Lately, I’ve started to wonder if some people are just better off alone. Especially after seeing Savannah’s recent Facebook announcement—pregnant by the guy she was seeing while we were still together.
“Well, this has been fun. Getting roasted by my two monster nephews, having my lack of dating ridiculed, and enjoying dinner like old times at Ashwood ranch,” I lean back in my chair, resting my hands on my rock-solid abs—no trace of fat left after months of intense, focused work. I’m mostly teasing, but I do have somewhere to be now.
“Thank you for the meal, Jovie. Nash, for the hard, manual labor that I didn’t need after an already physically taxing day at the department,” He chuckles as he stands to clear the plates, “and my two favorite twins in the world, for the entertaining conversation.”
“I’m pretty sure we’re the only twins you know,” Wilder says, shoveling another bite of pork into his mouth.
“Not if you count the ones Savannah’s about to have,” Cody retorts.
Jovie shakes her head and sighs loudly, scolding the boys while Nash suppresses a laugh from the doorway.
“What? It’s true. I’m sure Clay’s seen the announcement. It’s all-over social media.”
I laugh, listening to my nephews—it’s like seeing a younger version of my brothers and me, constantly picking on each other, and dishing out relentless teasing. Despite the age gap, we’d shared some fun years together when we all lived close at Cameron Ranch, practically on top of each other. Three boys, always in each other’s business, whether it was work or our personal lives. We drove each other crazy, but in that strange way only brothers can, we found fun and love in the chaos. Probably why we all ended up living together again years later.
