Page 63 of Fall Apart

A giggle escapes me and I cover my mouth and whisper. “Actually, between you and me, normally she’s the quiet one.”

My attention is pulled away when I see Grace and Tanner walking in from a hallway and over to Clay. He drops our bags, bumping his fist with his brother before bringing his sister in for a hug. I look back at TJ who’s also tracking their movement. He clears his throat and steps over to Clay.

“Long time, no see man,” TJ says, before Clay holds out a hand.

Wait. Do they know each other?

TJ scoffs and shakes his head, making his shaggy blonde hair sway. “Oh no, friends don’t shake hands in this house.”

I watch, half in horror for Clay, half laughing to myself as he wraps his arms around him, pulling him in tight for a hug.

Clay lets out a muffled groan, patting TJ on the back. There’s something amusing about seeing a Chapman caught off guard by an even bigger bear hug. “Good to see you too.”

I make eye contact with Clay, making an exaggerated smile at him. He rolls his eyes at me. “Thanks for having us.”

I make an OK gesture at Clay, who just rolls his eyes again as TJ lets him go. “Are you serious? It’s the least I can do. Look at how thisplace turned out man.” TJ turns and waves one hand towards the rest of the house.

I take a second to look at the rest of it. Beautiful polished concrete floors and a mix of exposed wood and steel beams. Floor to ceiling windows with views of Mount Bachelor, the evergreen forest around us, and the Deschutes River. A beautiful fireplace sits right in the center of the main wall of windows. All of it feels familiar. Too familiar.

I look back at Clay when the realization sets in that he designed this house. His eyes meet mine and his cheeks turn that boyish pink before he looks away, giving his attention back to TJ. Somehow this cocky, grumpy man is capable of adorable, admirable humility too.

“Glad you love it, TJ. But really, thanks for having us. Looking forward to seeing how you decorated the place.” I mouththere you goto him,mockingly clapping my hands together, prompting a playful scowl.

“For sure. I’ll catch up with you later.” TJ pats him on the back before heading down the hall, leaving us with Grace, Tanner, and Veronica.

I step towards the three of them, one hand on my hip.

“Alright. Can we skip the rest of the greetings and figure out dinner? I missed you guys, but that was a long drive from Utah and Clay apparently doesn’t like to stop unless it’s for gas or a bathroom break.” I look to Tanner and V, raising my eyebrows. “And I don’t know about you guys, but I’m getting a little hangry and I know you don’t want to deal with that.”

Clay lowers his brows and glares at me. “I offered to get you chicken tenders at the gas station. They’re the perfect passenger princess snack, easy to eat on the road.”

I glare back at him, turning up a hand. “Do I look like a child? No. I wantedreal food.”

He grins back. “Well you’re about as tall as a child and wear a lot of pink.”

Tanner laughs and turns to Veronica. She wraps an arm around him and leans against his shoulder. “I can’t imagine how that ten hour car ride was. Surprised you two survived.”

The jokes on her because we listened to a book the whole way and it was great. I stare her down, bringing my hands to my face like I’m eating a sandwich. “Enough chit chat, V. Food. Think aboutfood.”

As always,V’s food suggestions are on point. We’re sitting on the patio and it’s perfect after the long drive. Plus we have a prime view of the Deschutes River and the surf park in the center of town, able to watch the wetsuit clad surfers ride the man-made rapids. I will never complain about food with a side of eye candy.

“Alright. These aren’t quite Frisky Fox spicy margs, but they’re a very close second.” I put my drink down and grab a taco and take a bite. My eyes roll back in my head at how good the al pastor is. Ok. I was definitely hungry.

I dab the corner of my mouth with a napkin and look at V and Tanner. “So skiing tomorrow then dinner out?”

V takes a drink of her margarita and nods, setting it down. “Yeah, get up early and get out for first chair. We’ll probably call it an early day though and come back a little bit after lunch when the temperatures warm up and the snow gets a little slushy.”

“Sounds good to me.”

She quirks an eyebrow at me. “Really? That easy? It’s normally impossible to pry you out of bed that early.”

I give her a healthy dose of side eye before tipping my chin to Clay. “Myaccountability buddyhere has been making sure I’m up early for our morning workouts.”

Veronica lets out an amused hum as her eyes go back and forth between me and Clay.

Tanner shakes his head and grabs his brother’s shoulder. “Are you still doing your crazy crack of dawn runs in the snow?”

Clay huffs a laugh and nods. “You know me.”

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