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Andrew tilted his head.

Austin sighed. Fuck himself. He’d stopped swearing around the kids years ago. Swearing was his love language. It felt like the only way he could communicate with his brother. But that was the kind of sacrifice you made when you and your smoking hot wife decided to procreate during a pandemic and make the most adorable (and obnoxious) children in the world.

“Why don’t you go find Auntie Tea? I’m sure she can help with whatever your uncle needs.”

Andrew pouted and crossed his arms. “Nope. He said you have to go out there. Everyone is waiting for you.”

He made a face at his kid. “For me? Why?”

The screen door swung open. Kiera stood there, arms and legs covered in ink, silky black hair tied up in a bun, her eyeliner accentuating her almond-shaped eyes. He did a double take, not understanding why his brother’s tattoo artist was here, in Silver Falls. On the Fourth of July.

“Dude,” Kiera started. “Why the fu—”

Austin pointed at his kid. “Little ears. What the duck are you doing here?”

Andrew laughed. “Dad, you said duck.”

Austin tilted his head at Kiera. “See what I mean?”

She looked confused. “Do you really not know why I’m here?”

“Don’t tell me Archer had you drive all the way up here to do another tattoo? Don’t you have a studio to run back in Minny?”

She rolled her eyes. “You better get out there.”

Austin glanced around the cabin, annoyed that he couldn’t get his five minutes. Archer’s cabin was a lot nicer than his parents’ place these days. They really had outdone themselves, creating a space that felt cozy and calm, the perfect spot to spend all of their summers in. They called it the nest, which Austin thought was fucking strange, but who was he to judge? Riley had nicknames for the three birthmarks on his back.

He followed them out to the lawn. Everyone was already congregated around the flagpole, like they were waiting for their traditional flag-raising ceremony before the Fourth of July potluck. But they weren’t all due to the lawn for another hour or so, and by the looks of everyone’s confused faces, it seemed that no one knew why they were being summoned outside.

Rhonda stepped up to the center of the group. “Silence!”

The group stilled. Her son Danny whispered something to Chris beside them, the two of them chuckling at something. The pair were one year away from graduating from the University of Michigan. Chris eyed Ashley from across the lawn, but she rolled her eyes and looked away. The two had been avoiding each other all summer. But Austin already knew how that story would end—the two of them would eventually end up together. It’s just how things went around here.

Riley stepped up to him and grabbed his butt.

“People are watching, dearest,” he mumbled under his breath.

“No they aren’t, they’re all looking at BILF.”

Austin watched as his brother walked to the front with Rhonda. He was dressed up in khakis and a button down, the sleeves rolled up to show off those ridiculous tattoos he had on his arms.

Then the door of Cabin B swung open.

Molly stepped out, then held out her arm.

Tea followed.

Gasps erupted amongst the Wild Pines crew at the sight of her. She was dressed in a strapless sky-blue chiffon dress, her hair long and flowing down her back.

She linked arms with her mom, then the two made a procession over to the group.

“No ducking way,” he whispered to Riley.

“Yes…yes ducking way,” she replied.

Austin turned to look at his brother, noticing the asshole had tears streaming down his cheeks. When they reached the center of the group, he wrapped her up in his arms and kissed her cheek, whispering something in her ear. Then he slipped an arm around her waist and faced the crowd.

“Thank you everyone for coming out an hour earlier than usual.” He paused and smiled like a goof, which only happened when he was around his woman. “And welcome to our wedding.”