twenty
TALLY
A man would always wish to give a woman a better home than the one he takes her from; and he who can do it, where there is no doubt of her regard, must, I think, be the happiest of mortals.
— JANE AUSTEN
The smell of crab was strong as the waitress filled Lemon’s water glasses. “Your food should be out shortly.”
I glanced up and caught Christy watching me again. Her gaze flashed away. Ever since we’d told everyone we were getting married, she’d been off. Giving me sideways glances, watching me a little too long. I smiled and her gaze skittered away. Weird. Then again, all the Duprees had been watching me. I was pretty sure they thought I was going to run.
Ford slid a folder of papers across the table to Silas. “Canyou pass that to Ashton? I need him to sign the lease contract for the house,” he grumbled. “Freaking ridiculous.”
“It’s not ridiculous,” Ashton said dryly. “I’m a grown man who needs to provide for his family.”
“I don’t need your money,” Ford said.
Ashton rolled his eyes, took the folder from Silas, and started reading the rental agreement.
The rhythmic crash of waves in the distance was making me sleepy.
“You don’t need to read it,” Ford said. “Just sign it and give it back to me. My lawyer got it all squared away.” He winked at Holden.
Ashton held up a finger, reading every line.
Across the table, Blue looked like he was right there with me. His eyes had fluttered and flown open at least four times in the last five minutes.
Holden, who was sitting next to him, grabbed the arm of his chair and shook it. “Wake up, Blue. It’s beach week.”
Blue chuckled and stretched. “Sorry, y’all. Too much work and not enough play lately.”
Ashton sat up suddenly and looked at Ford. “Nice try, bro.” He shoved the agreement back, unsigned. I snickered. Over the past few weeks, Ford had tried inside out and upside down to get Ashton’s signature on the deed of the little house. From saying he needed a witness on a songwriting contract, to a charity donation, to a surprise home warranty.
Ashton narrowed his gaze at Holden. “Why do you keep enabling him with these ridiculous ruses, dingus?”
Holden held his hands up abdicating himself. “He’s paying me by the hour.”
Ford threw his hands up. “Just take the Dad-blamed house. I don’t need any money. It’s a wedding gift.”
Ashton folded his arms across his chest. “No. I’m paying rent and I’ll buy it as soon as I can get a loan.”
Ford slouched in his chair and folded his arms grumpily.
Silas leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. Lemon shifted with him, her hand immediately going to his back to trace circles along his shoulders. “You ready for training camp?” Silas asked Blue.
I turned when I felt Ashton watching me. Again. The wedding was in two days and he thought I was going to high-tail it like Julia Roberts. He’d never said that, but it was painfully obvious. The worry in his eyes, the stiff lines of his face. The way his knee wouldn’t stop bouncing.
I leaned over and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Not going anywhere, Ash,” I murmured.
“Okay,” he said but his tone was nervous.
I turned to face him. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
I tilted my head.
He closed his eyes for a moment. “I have a sick feeling like you’re going to disappear.”
