I pull two beers from the fridge, handing one to Rhodes. “Looks like you may need it.”
He lets out a long breath. “Yeah, thanks.”
“Don’t stress. We’re chill,” I reply and then grab the platter and head outside, letting everyone get the hint and follow me.
Forest is still in his chair, running his beer bottle across his bottom lip as he reads the messages on his phone.
I kick his foot, and he jostles slightly.
“You good?” I ask, and he nods, taking a long pull of his beer, finishing it, and setting it beside him.
“Yeah, sorry. Been dealing with…stuff.”
The way he says that isn’t lost on me, and I want to ask him about it, but now is not the time. So, I turn my attention back to the rest of my family and my dad’s guests. Fia and my dad sit side by side, and Rhodes takes a seat next to me and my brothers.
I pop my beer open, and so does Rhodes, while Forest disappears inside to grab several more, setting them on the small table between us for anyone to grab. As he does, River finally shows up, his car leaving a plume of dirt behind it as he comes to an abrupt stop on the driveway.
“Heyo! Sorry I’m late!” he calls out, jogging up the stairs and grabbing a beer from the table.
“Oh, hey, guys. I’m River. You must be the girlfriend and the son. Nice to meet you.” River pulls a chair up between Forest and me, shoving his way in.
He did this as a kid, too. Always squeezed himself into spaces he didn’t fit. Just because he couldn’t stand not being included.
He plops down, his chair scraping the edge of mine as he reaches forward to heap food onto his plate.
“Is this all we have here? Veggies and fruit? No meat? Beans? Cornbread?”
Sage rolls his eyes. “Dad is gonna grill stuff up in a minute. Unless you want to do it.”
“Ha! That’s a trick question because you all know I burn shit on grills.”
“Truth,” I murmur, taking a swig of my drink. “Last time he used the grill, he set the porch on fire. Better to have Dad do it.”
“Ha!” River says again. “They just love to exaggerate.”
“Oh, Rhodes is the same,” Fia says. “He wants to learn how to cook on a grill, but I struggle to teach him how. Maybe you can learn some tips from Ash.”
My dad grumbles under his breath as Rhodes glances away. “Mom, it’s fine.”
He’s blushing again, but his mom just laughs it off. “I’m sorry, but you have to learn one day, and Ash is a great teacher.”
My dad reluctantly nods. “Of course, I can show him what I know. If you want a good teacher, though, it’s Glenn. He’s the guy who loves cooking.”
Eyes fall on me, and I just shrug. “Sure do. But Dad’s better. Learned it from him.”
River is munching loudly next to me, wiggling in his chair. I try to ignore him, but he only seems to grow louder.
Fuck. Me.
Thankfully, Maverick and Skye arrive minutes later, the loud rumble of Mav’s motorcycle making all heads turn their way.
When the engine is shut off and the two of them make their way onto the porch, River speaks through a mouthful of food.
“Why are you late, huh? Go into heat again?”
I slap him on the back of the head, and he gasps. “Hey!”
“Leave them alone and focus on eating.”
