"I am.I'm looking forward to this."
As he slowed the Suburban to turn off the highway, she asked, "So you're going to hang out with the guys at Deacon's place and come pick me up when they come to get the others?"
"I'll be here."
She laughed."From what I understand, I won't need to send you a text, will I?"
He chuckled at that."Nope.The guys all sit there with their phones at the ready, waiting for the texts to come in saying it's time.I'll get the idea."
"Awesome.I'll see you later then," she said as he brought his Suburban to a stop in the parking lot next to Travis's truck.
"I'll see ya later, honey."
~ ~ ~
When Emmett arrived at Deacon's place, he was surprised to see only Deacon's truck and Cash's Suburban parked outside.He'd expected that all the guys would be here by now, since he'd hung around at home, making sure the girls were okay before he came out.He didn't mind leaving them, not really, and he knew that Alana at least appreciated it.
As she so often reminded him, they weren't little girls anymore, and she was perfectly capable.He climbed out of the truck and headed to the door.Since he was here, he might as well make the most of his time with the guys instead of sitting in the truck thinking about it.
The front door opened before he reached it, and Deacon greeted him with a smile."Come on in.I was starting to think you'd changed your mind."
"There was no reason for me to come too early.I'm only here to give Lib a ride home later."
"You’re here to hang out with everyone," said Deacon."We want to make the most of you while we have the chance.Do you want a drink?Everyone else has one."
"Everyone else?"Emmett asked.
Emmett had thought that Deacon and Cash were the only ones here, but when Deacon swung the door open, he laughed when he stepped into the living room.Travis, Trip, and Ace were already there.
Trip greeted him with a smile.Ace called, "How you doing, bud?"And Travis got to his feet.Emmett tried to dodge him, but there was nowhere to run.Travis wrapped him in a bear hug."Glad you're here, buddy."
Emmett slapped his back."Thanks.I am, too.How is everyone?"
"Everything's peachy in my world," said Travis.
"And mine," said Trip.
"Things are good for me too," said Ace.
Cash smiled at him from his spot in the corner."Yep, things are going well for me, too.My life's a little easier now that Mav and Blane are back here."
"And they're not coming tonight?"Emmett asked.
"Hell no," said Cash.
Travis chuckled."You know how sociable Blane is.We'll get him out for special occasions, but that's about it—not a regular night out like this."
"Yeah, and why would he come?"asked Ace."We're only here while we wait to go pick up our women."
Emmett turned to Cash."And you're just here hanging out because whenever there's a party, you have to be in the middle of it?"
Cash chuckled."Yeah, something like that."
Emmett wanted to ask why Cash couldn't give Libby a ride himself.It wasn't that he minded doing it—it was just that he didn't understand the logic.But Cash always had a reason for his actions; he'd no doubt explain at some point.
He took a seat in the only empty armchair and hesitated when Deacon came back and handed him a beer.
"It's okay—you can have one," Trip told him."That's all any of us have since we're driving."
