Page 45 of Sweet Oblivion

“I highly doubt you were ever a Boy Scout.”

“I was too focused on football for anything else.” He grabs a container from his bag and places his hearing aids back in. “What about you? Was little Laney a Girl Scout?”

I can’t even stop the laugh that bubbles up. “Ahh... that would be a no. My childhood wasn’t exactly compatible with that.”

He sits down on the bed and grabs the remote. “Want to watch TV?”

“Other side of the bed, pretty boy. This is my side,” I tease.

“You’re going to make me regret teaching you that, aren’t you?”

I purse my lips and wait for him to move to the other side. “Maybe.”

“I missed your fire, Bambi. I like seeing it come back.”

I shove my feet under my blanket and look at him. “Me too.”

RYKER

What the hell, brother? I was trying to catch you after practice.

Everything okay?

Emmie wants to have you and Delaney over for dinner.

Get in line.

What?

Nothing.

You doing okay?

I’m getting married and hopefully not going to jail.

Basically, living the dream, brother.

—Text fromMaverick to Ryker

The gravel crunches under the Rover as I swing into the spot next to Mom’s little red Audi, my thumbs tapping restlessly against the wheel, not the least bit surprised she beat us here.

Eleanor Beneventi treats time like a weapon.

Five minutes early is on time.

On time is late.

And late is unacceptable.

I kill the engine and glance over at Delaney. Her fingers move anxiously to the high neck of her black, sleeveless sweater. Her gaze drifts past me, out over the vineyard. Row after row of grapevines stretch into the distance, glowing gold under the setting sun.“Wow. It’s beautiful.”

“Yeah.” I smile. Her ASL is getting better. Not perfect, but better. And damn if that doesn’t mean more to me than I want to admit. “It is.”

She turns back to me, her bottom lip caught between her teeth.“Is your mom here?”

I nod toward the Audi. “Mom’s an if you aren’t five minutes early, you’re late type of person.”

“I wasn’t expecting her to be quite so... enthusiastic about this wedding.” Her shoulders sink back into the seat. “I spoke to her earlier today, and she sounded almost excited to show us everything.”