“That’s true.” Wyatt points a finger at Duke. “None of us could tell y’all apart for the first, oh, five or so years of your lives.”
Sawyer nods. “Quite frankly, we didn’t care who you were, as long as we could beat you up.”
“No wonder I never wanted to leave Mom’s hip.” I’m still crying, but I’m able to breathe now.
“You had that speech delay.” Cash brings his water to his lips. “Pawpaw said it was because Mom was always talkin’ for you. Duke was yammering away in complete sentences by the time he was three, but you were fine to let her keep speaking for you even then.”
“I remember. Animal therapy was awesome.”
What I don’t say? That I reached out to the therapist my primary doc recommended last week. I’m still waiting to make an appointment, but it felt like a step in the right direction.
Wyatt looks at me meaningfully. “Probably why you’re so good with animals now.”
“He can moo with the best of them,” Cash replies with a grin.
Ella’s eyes go wide. “Can you really speak with the cows?”
“I sure can.” I put my hands on the table. “They don’t say much back, though.”
“You’re funny,” Sally says.
“No, I’m not. But I appreciate you saying that.”
Speaking of animal therapy—I still need to do some digging before I bring up the idea to Billie.
I’m thinking about her again.
I can’t quit. I’m not sure if I want to anymore.
I sip my wine and glance around the table. There are some glassy eyes, even some tears. But everyone looks happy. Even Junie and Ella are smiling, kicking their little legs underneath the table as John B passes a fresh bottle of wine around.
“Kinda crazy to think that this time last year, there were half as many people around the table.” I trace its edge with my finger.
Cash glances at Mollie. “It all started with this troublemaker.”
My chest twists. I have my own troublemaker now, don’t I? Only, Billie’s not mine. Not yet anyway.
How the hell would I make that happen without losing Colt or losing the trust of her parents?
How do I proceed with caution while also allowing myself to go all in? Because that’s what she deserves. A guy who jumps in with both feet. Not because he has to, but because he has no choice.
He’s so obsessed with her he wants nothing more.
“Your lives were turned upside down in the blink of an eye when you lost your parents.” John B sits back in his chair. “Maybe fate is finally delivering on the other side of that—the good to the bad. Life happens fast, no matter which way it moves. I’m happy for y’all that it’s moving in the right direction.”
Sally dabs at her eye with her napkin. “That’s sweet, Dad. Thank you.”
“It’s a bummer, though.” My voice is thick. “That Mom and Dad aren’t at the table too. They’d—Jesus.” I’m breaking down.
Cash gets up from his chair and pulls me up too.
Pulls me into a hug.
“They’re here,” he murmurs. “In their own way, they see all the good shit that’s happening. Time for your good shit to happen, yeah?”
I hear Wheeler sniffling. “God, what is it about bro hugs that gets me every time?”
“Hoes love their bros,” Wyatt says.
