Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 114068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114068 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 570(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Ryder pulls off his baseball hat, smoothing back his hair before putting the hat on backward. “Fuck them if that’s what they do.”
“No shit. But that won’t bring Wheeler any comfort.”
“Us being there will.” He hops down the steps to grab another rocking chair. “They ain’t the only family she’s got now. And you bet your bottom dollar all eighty-seven of us Riverses and Powells and Bartletts and Lucks are gonna be in that hospital waiting room.”
I chuckle. “How much you wanna bet Wyatt’ll get kicked out for sneaking in a flask?”
“Not if they don’t kick me out first for the same offense.” He carefully sets down the rocking chair beside the others, stepping back to eyeball it before moving the chair a little ways back.
Ryder may talk a big game about not giving a shit, but deep down, he cares. A lot. That thought makes my heart twist.
“Thank you.” My voice is gruff. “For being with me through all this. Wheeler talks a lot about what a good friend I am, and I think…I know I learned it from you.”
“You getting all sappy and shit on me?” Ryder smiles. “Good.”
“I hate you.”
“That’s not very nice. I love you. Very much. And I can’t wait to love up on your sweet baby.” He claps me on the shoulder. “Why you think you want a girl so bad?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because I’m obsessed with Wheeler, and I can imagine just how fun it would be to have a mini version of her running around.” I look up at the cottage. Then I glance at my truck. “Think I’m gonna need something newer.”
Ryder chuckles softly. “Might be good to have a car with a back seat, for both safety and making out purposes.”
“I’ll call Rod at the dealership.” I pull out my phone to make a note of it. “Sawyer said he gave him a good deal on his Silverado.”
My brother squints up at the sky. “You gonna marry her?”
There’s a squeezing sensation inside my chest. Have I already asked Mollie what kind of ring Wheeler would like? Maybe. Am I already thinking about dream destinations, places like Paris and Jackson Hole and the British Virgin Islands that would be the perfect place to get down on one knee? Definitely.
But I don’t want to overplay my hand. Wheeler and I just said “I love you” to each other. We’ve been together for practically two minutes. It’s not my intention to rush her or rush into something neither of us is ready for.
Thing is I am ready. Would be even if we weren’t having a baby. I remember Garrett saying something along the lines of “when you know, you know.”
I know I wanna make a life with Wheeler. It’s that simple. Being with her is exciting and easy. All my dreams seem within reach when she’s around. I’d like to think neither of us is settling or playing small by being in a relationship and becoming parents.
Instead, the world feels so much bigger. That’s never happened with anyone else before.
“I ain’t lettin’ her go,” I say.
“That ain’t what I’m asking.”
I eye him. “Ever consider my love life isn’t your business?”
“Everything you do is my business.” He holds my gaze. “You’re my person. Like, literally. We are literally the same person, genetically speaking at least. And I want you to be happy. Maybe then…” His throat works. “I don’t know. Maybe then I got a chance to be happy too.”
Aw, shit, now my throat’s closing in. I hadn’t considered that me pairing off with Wheeler is a big change for Ryder too, especially now that he’s the only one of us who is still single. We’ve done everything together. Been through everything together. I wouldn’t say I’m moving on now, but my life is moving forward, and Ryder’s is staying in the same place.
“Your time’ll come.” I put a hand on his shoulder.
He blinks. “I know. Life is fine, don’t get me wrong. Just seeing you and Wheeler…nice to know that kinda connection is possible.”
“I am gonna marry her.”
“I know you are.”
Next thing I know, I’m pulling him in for a hug. The kind where we quietly cry into each other’s shoulders, holding on so tight I can barely breathe.
It all comes out. The joy and the grief. Last time we hugged it out like this was at Mom and Dad’s funeral.
“Hartsville will always be home base for us,” I manage thickly. “You know that, right? I wanna travel, but I’m also not goin’ anywhere. I’ve learned freedom ain’t necessarily about going places. It’s about having the space to be myself. To live a life that feels right.”
Ryder nods. “I like that idea. And you’d better be sticking around. Could you imagine if you left me with Cash and Wy and Sawyer? They’d eat me alive.”