“Thank you,” she says.
“Mae, baby, there’s nothing to prepare for.Someone,” I say, gesturing to Naomi, “won’t keep quiet about it, but I promise it’ll be okay, unless someone is going to be mad. If that’s the case, tell me now.”
She shakes her head as I pull up next to Fletcher’s truck.
“Ready?” I ask her.
“As I’ll ever be,” she says, nervousness all over her beautiful face.
Naomi leads the way into the big house, and I kiss Mae’s temple, leaning into her. “You look gorgeous in that dress, and I can’t wait to take it off,” I whisper into her ear.
The distraction works and she gives me wide,I can’t believe you said that right hereeyes, and I chuckle.
“Daddy is getting married!” Naomi yells.
The whole house goes quiet, and everyone stares at me and Mae, but my eyes are still on her as her cheeks turn red.
“She tells no lies,” I say, addressing my family.
“Finally,” June says and squeals, pulling Mae into a hug.
Fletcher grabs me in a hug and pats me on the back. “I’m proud of you, Coop, but you’re about to enter a whole different world of hurt.”
“Why?” I ask him.
He grins and glances at Tatum. “Because now you’ll know how it feels to have your balls in a vice.”
“I heard that!” Tatum yells over her shoulder.
“He’s not wrong, son,” Uncle Mason says, clapping me on the back. “Congratulations. Did you tell your parents?” he asks.
I chuckle and push my hand through my hair. “No, y’all are the first to know. We’re going to talk to our parents soon.”
“You better, otherwise I’ll never hear the end of it from your mother,” Aunt Dixie says, grinning like a loon. She hugs me and kisses me on the cheek.
Sterling comes around the corner. I didn’t even notice he was here and claps me on the back. “Congrats man, looks like me and Ledge are the last men standing.” He glances at June and I ignore it. Everyone does.
“I don’t know what woman would put up with this guy anyway,” I say, pointing to Ledger.
He rolls his eyes. “Don’t you worry about me. I’m doin’ just fine.”
Fletcher throws his head back on a laugh. “Ledger, my brother, you are great at a lot of things, but schmoozing the ladies is not one of them.”
“Whatever,” he grumbles and goes to the fridge for a beer.
Sterling laughs and nods. “I have to agree with him, Ledge, you wouldn’t have even talked to a girl in high school if me or Fletch wasn’t there to wingman you.”
I grin and Ledger grunts.
A hand slips into mine, and I know it’s hers before I even look at her. I don’t think I care if she has my balls in a vice. I’m happy to keep them there.
“Well, with that happy news, let’s eat!” Aunt Dixie says, clapping her hands.
We all find a seat, and I put Naomi on one side and Mae on the other, exactly how it should be.
***
“Thank’s Mom, we’ll talk to you later.”
