Page 55 of Uproot

“Ah, I get it,” I respond, then remember something, “I thought you said they just started dating around the time you moved here?”

She nods, “Yup, they did.”

Wow that seems fast. But who am I to judge?

It’s not like I haven’t already started to think of what Beckett, or Selah, Jr. will look like.

“So are they getting married?” I ask, as we continue walking and find a seat in the living room together.

Selah shrugs, “Evy isn’t sure if she wants to get married again yet,” Selah says.

“Oh she was married before?” I whisper, realizing this story is much more interesting than I realized.

“Yes, she just got divorced a few months ago,” Selah responds quietly.

I nod slowly, noticing how this timeline is all adding up.

Well damn, Sheriff Rockwell.

I guess this little town is more interesting that I thought it would be.

Selah falls into a conversation with Piper about planning for her upcoming wedding while she bounces Nova on her leg. I’m talking to Oakland and Lane about my company when the doorbell rings and Oakland moves to answer it.

A moment later, he returns with Joey.

Joey waves and smiles widely at everyone as he walks in the living room holding a bottle of wine. “Sorry I missed dinner! I got wrapped up with my parents,” he apologizes.

His eyes scan the room, but his gaze stops when he sees Selah and I sitting next to each other. His jubilant expression wanes as we lock eyes, and I almost feel sorry for him.

Almost.

The crestfallen expression on his face tells me that I wasn’t wrong about him still pining after Selah. That is definitely not the look of someone who is staring at a friend sitting with another man.

Selah gently squeezes my arm, and I know she’s telling me to play nice as he approaches us. We both stand up to greet him with everyone else in the living room, and I keep my arm wrapped firmly around Selah’s waist.

He greets us last, giving Selah a tight smile, “Hello Selah, how are you?” he asks, not sparing me a glance.

“I’m doing great, thanks,” Selah says, turning to look up at me. “Joey, this is Beckett Kade.”

“Her boyfriend,” I add, graciously extending my hand to shake his.

I leave out my other titles..

Future husband.

Onlyfather to her future children.

But I don’t want to make him cry. He looks a bit sensitive.

Joey shakes my hand, finally meeting my eyes, “Wow..well it’s nice to meet you,Beckett,” he responds, making it obvious that it isn’t nice for him at all.

I nod, placing my hand back around Selah, “You too Joey,” I respond with equal enthusiasm.

“I didn’t realize you were seeing anyone, Selah,” he comments, focusing back on her.

Selah smiles, “Well, it’s pretty new,” she says.

Joey nods, turning his attention back to me. We assess each other silently, and a quiet understanding passes between us in that moment. Luckily for him I don’t think he will need the conversation I thought I would have to give him tonight.

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