I shrug. “I tried to tell her.”
“Tell her again,” Cody says.
“Hey, you stay out of it,” Dad tells him and then looks to me. “If she wants a fall wedding … do it.”
“What?” Cody and I say in unison.
Cody then adds, “I beg your finest pardon?!”
“You only get married once.”
“I barely have time to think during hunting season, let alone get married!” I point out.
“Seriously, there’s no way,” Cody adds, still in disbelief this is even a discussion.
“Figure out the date and we won’t book any hunts.” Dad shrugs like it’s no big deal.
“Seriously?!” Cody raises his voice. “We don’t all need to miss out on pay becausehe’sgetting married.”
“You’re gonna beinthe wedding, genius,” I point out.
Mom interrupts over Mason and Addison laughing. “Cody, just relax. Nothing is set in stone.”
Cody stands. “Weddings are the biggest money pit. If you’re really gonna have one, make sure you sign a prenup just in case things go south.”
“Cody!” everyone exclaims simultaneously.
“Hey, thanks for the support,” I say, as he walks out of the room.
“Jess, don’t listen to him. Just do whatever you guys wanna do, and don’t bother paying attention to anyone else’s opinions. It’s your guys’ day.” Mom’s voice is gentle.
Dad sits back in the chair and crosses his arms. “We’ll accommodate however needed.”
“Thanks. But I’m not really planning on fall. I got her to understand my concern.” I fork more food into my mouth. The tension at the table isn’t bad, but the tension between Cody and me is, and he’s not even in the room.
After lunch, I ask Cody to come check out a rattling noise on my truck. There’s not really a rattling noise, but it’s the only thing I could think of to get him alone for a minute. He was pretty fired up earlier, and I want to make sure we’re good.
“You know more about trucks than I do, so what do you actually want?” Cody asks, shoving his hands in his pockets as he waits.
I can’t help but laugh to myself, he’s right.
“I know you had a rough go-around with marriage. But that doesn’t mean Ella is going to pull the same thing Bree did.”
“Doesn’t mean she won’t either.”
“I’m a pretty good judge of character—”
“Oh, and I’m not?”
“Not what I’m saying.” I shake my head. “I’m saying with Ella and me, it’s different.”
“How? You think just because she loves you? Said yes to the ring means she’s never going anywhere? I had the same damn thing and it all went up in flames with barely a reason.”
“I know that. I know it sucked. I was there, and I’m sorryshe did that to you, but you can’t just swear off all women because ofher.”
“Have you even asked Ella about her previous engagement? Her reasoning for walking out on the guy? Is it even valid or was she just pissed off? Because—”
“Cody, stop. Stop it.” I point a finger, my voice sharp. “None of that is your business.”
