Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
When Roe talked about their dog and how she limped sometimes, August went over to look at her and gave Roe some ideas on what it could be and what he should do.
August chatted with Colby about what he did on the farm, and asked Roe’s parents how Reese was doing there, and offered his own help if they needed it.
He was just a great person, and Clint wondered if August realized how good he was, thought maybe he didn’t feel like he was as special as he was, and wanted to find every way he could to make sure August saw it.
“You’re crazy about him,” Colby said softly, taking one of the chairs beside Clint. August was at the grill, talking to Holden, who was flipping the food.
“Yep,” he admitted because it was true. Colby would know he was lying if he tried to deny it.
“This is a first for you?”
“To this extent, yeah.” Clint watched August laugh at something Holden said, and then August looked his way and smiled. It made warmth fill all the empty places inside his chest.
Colby said, “It’s weird how it happens. I’ve watched so many people around me fall in love—family, Roe and Holden, Deke and Grady, you and—”
“No one said anything about love.” Clint took a swig of his beer.
“Don’t reckon we need to, but that wasn’t my point. It’s just weird how it happens. Just…one minute you’re not in love, and then you are, and you never know when that will happen. And I guess sometimes it never does, while for some people it happens over and over.”
“You weren’t in love with Lulu?” Sure, they’d been broken up a while, but he thought maybe that was why Colby hadn’t dated anyone since, that maybe he still had feelings for her.
“Nope. That’s why we broke up. She got tired of waiting for me to fall in love and want to marry her. She wants kids, and I don’t think I do, which let me tell you, doesn’t go over real well with my family.”
Clint looked his way, figuring he meant more his parents than Roe. Maybe his other siblings too. Clint wasn’t sure. “You don’t have to want kids. Or marriage.”
“Yeah, but shouldn’t I? Don’t most people? Hell, I don’t know what I’m even saying. I might be a little buzzed. Good thing Vince is driving home.”
“I heard my name. Good thing Vince is what?” he asked, taking the seat beside Colby.
“Driving me home. I think I’m a little buzzed.”
“Probably because you’re not eating enough. All you eat is cereal. I swear to Christ, man, have you been in his kitchen? Like fifty kinds of cereal. He eats it every day.”
Clint chuckled.
“Lies,” Colby replied.
“What’d you have for breakfast?” Vince asked.
“No comment.” He stuck his tongue out at Vince.
“Jesus, you’re cute as shit. The one downside about moving to a small town is options. Everyone is either straight or falling for someone else.” Vince winked, teasing Clint, but that wasn’t what caught his attention. Was Colby blushing? He wasn’t sure he’d ever seen that in his life.
“Hey, Dad! Clint! Will you guys come and play with us?” Reese asked.
Clint looked up to see Sean asking Roe and Holden the same.
He cocked a brow at August, who said yes to his son, then walked over and held his hand out for Clint. “That means you too.”
“It does, huh?” he joked, even though he wanted nothing more than to play.
They spent the next hour playing football. Clint had never laughed so much in his life. Wyatt was good. He’d play college ball one day, Clint figured. Scout was out there, kicking butt in his skirt, and when he threw Reese the ball for a touchdown, August had maybe the biggest smile Clint had ever seen.
Vince and Colby had taken over cooking, and when everything was ready, they basically had to drag the rest of them over to eat.
They all ate dinner outside and spent hours sitting around and talking. Clint helped Holden build a bonfire, and they made s’mores and had ice cream for dessert. August was beside him, Reese sitting by Scout, with Wyatt and Sean across the fire.
It was dark, and they were getting ready to set off the fireworks Roe had apparently driven down to South Carolina to buy, when Holden stood up by the fire, cleared his throat, and asked for everyone’s attention. “I’m not one for big speeches. I’m not real good with all those pretty words, but I just want to say, the past few years have been the happiest of my life. I never thought I wanted this—the small town, a partner, a family, but then, I hadn’t met Monroe Covington before that. I don’t figure anyone can meet him without having it change their whole world.” There were some gasps and quiet whispers. Roe’s mom was crying as Holden walked over and stood in front of Roe, who was sitting in a camp chair. He knelt down, and Roe’s eyes went big and glassy. “There’s not a better person in the world than you, Roe. You’re already stuck with me for the rest of my life, but I wondered if you wanted to make it official and marry me. I know I didn’t want that before, but—”