Page 275 of The Romance Adventure

Everyone agrees.

“So, the question he asked me: When up is down, what do you do?” My oldest brother reflects on the direction his life was going, how he was in a dark place after the helicopter accident, and how Lally helped him surface.

It’s deeply personal, especially coming from him, and I appreciate him trusting us with that level of honesty and vulnerability.

“Yeah, I suppose I learned a lesson, too.” Royal glances at Isla. “I thought I had everything figured out. That I got it right. But everything was wrong until Isla came along and blew up my life.”

“I didn’t literally blow up your life,” Isla says.

“Your smoothie blew up on me.”

“Harley ran me over,” I blurt.

“It was more of a tap. A love tap.”

“Okay, enough coochie coo, you two. I need more time to get used to the idea that you both being in the same room won’t result in someone winding up in need of medical attention.” Royal shifts as if uncomfortable.

Isla gasps. “Did that happen?”

“There was the time Ryan put a fake snake in her backpack and someone warned her, then she shrugged off her bag and ran into traffic screaming.”

Harley narrows her eyes. “I hate snakes.”

“Did you get run over?”

“No, but I twisted my ankle.”

I huff. “And she’s failing to mention that was in retaliation for putting palmetto bugs in my locker.”

“Your locker smelled so bad. It was only a matter of time before they found their way inside, anyway.”

“So, you admit it?”

She playfully shoves me and I gather her into my arms, squeezing her tight in case this escalates.

From under my arm, Harley says, “I can’t tell if you’re trying to put me in a sleeper hold or if you’re hugging me.”

“Aggressive cuddling,” I whisper and loosen my grip before kissing her temple. Wrapping her arms around me, she leans in and we both laugh before exchanging a kiss on the lips.

Magnus lets out a shrill coach whistle. “Okay, kids. Wrestling practice is over. Break it up.”

“They’ve been like this forever.” Royal wipes his hand down his face.

I’m reluctant to let Harley go, but only because I’ll take a hug from her anytime, anyplace. A kiss, too.

I contemplate the question Chip left for me: when inside is out, what do you do? I try to frame it in light of the changes over the last week—I was deep inside the world of football and am on my way out. But I haven’t lost anything like I feared. Instead, I gained a new relationship with Harley, and potentially a family with Luke and maybe more kids.

As if he’s been failing to crack the code for weeks, CJ mutters, “When high is low, where do you go?”

“I don’t know, bro.”

“I’m thinking high ground, flooding, flying, climbing, diving?”

“Or perhaps he intended those questions to pertain to our personal lives. At least that’s how the others interpreted them.”

“Look at you, sounding all smart and introspective,” Royal teases.

“There’s one more section,” Isla adds. “Solving this puzzle will be a great adventure that takes you beyond your comfort zones. It’ll be humbling and educational. Have you boys learned anything?”