Colorful bean bag chairs are scattered throughout the open floor plan, inviting impromptu brainstorming sessions and casual meetings. Pops of bright hues adorn the walls, injecting energy and personality into the space.
One corner of the barn has been converted into a cozy lounge area, complete with plush couches and oversized floor pillows. It’s the perfect relaxed setting to kick back and unwind after a long day of work.
In another corner, beside a pile of hay that one of the boys no doubt brought inside to make the other crazy, a ping-pong table takes center stage and adds a playful energy to the already brilliant atmosphere.
The barn’s large windows flood the space with natural light, creating a warm and inviting ambiance that inspires creativity and productivity. Plants hang from the rafters, adding a touch of greenery and infusing the space with life.
“Riley!” Levi sings out as he leaps up from his desk. He crosses the barn in a few giant steps and pulls me into his arms. Laughing, I let him spin me around until we’re right dizzy. He drops me into a giggling heap beside him as he hugs me close. “I feel like I’ve not seen you in years. How are you?”
“Good, busy. Moved out, quit the cafe, and started my own business.” I cross my arms in front of my chest. “That about sums it up. You?”
“Awesome, and tired. Played well this year—we made it to the quarter-finals, but now I’m on a break until practice starts for the season again.” Levi is the quarterback for one of the NFL’s top teams. We thought we had a Super Bowl championship in the bag this year, but the team was plagued by injuries, including Levi’s. He holds up his right hand. “This baby is still healing, but we’re getting there.”
His eyes rock to Jake, who stands behind me still, quiet. Levi’s eyes widen with surprise as he steps forward and holds out his hand. “You’re Jake December. Dude!” He looks up at the loft and catches his brother’s eyes. “Man, it’s Jake freaking December! He’s here in our barn!”
Glancing at Jake, I can tell he’s as surprised as I am. But we don’t have a chance to let it sink in because one whoop hello later, and Austin actually swings down from the loft above us on a rope, dropping into a small pile of hay near us.
Honestly, I think they’re showing off now. I’ve never seen these two act like this.
“Jake? Man, we’ve been watching your games since you started with the Renegades, then went to the Blades,” Austin says as he grabs his hand and pumps it. He then reaches out and pulls me into a quick hug. “What are you doing here with Riley?”
“It’s Travis, isn’t it?” Levi nods his head knowingly. “Travis is your agent, right?”
Levi is, in a weird way, all-knowing. He was always the softer one of these two. He’s the guy who prefers to sneak into a documentary film over the next big action drama that’s hitting the big screen, or he’ll get tickets to the ballet or a Broadway show instead of going to see a concert. I’ve spent many nights in our early twenties accompanying him to art gallery openings so he had a date. A friendly date, that’s all we were and are. These two are like bonus big brothers I never asked for but ended up with anyway.
“He is,” Jake acknowledges as he reaches out and squeezes my arm. “But today, I’m in Riley’s capable hands. She said she was coming out to a working truffle farm, so I tagged along. But you guys, you’rethePorter brothers?”
Levi chuckles. “According to our mother, yes.”
“I’m a fan. Of both of yours. On the field and on your podcast.”
Of course these guys are getting on like nobody’s business. Me? I’m still staring at Jake’s hand on my arm. I don’t have any time to overthink his touch before four dogs come flying into the barn, barking and playing, tumbling around in a small pack. Austin inclines his head in their direction. “Those are our dogs we use for finding the truffles.”
“You use dogs?” Jake asks.
“Come up here to the loft and let me show you the farm. You get a great view from the window up there.” He looks at me and winks. “As long as Riley doesn't mind that I’m stealing her date?”
“Like I’d bring a date here.” I stick my tongue out. “It’ll give me time to do business with the smarter brother, thank you very much.” I turn to Jake with a serious look as I point to the rope. “Don’t let him make you climb that to get up there. You’ll kill yourself.”
When Jake’s eyes grow larger, Levi chuckles. “Ignore her. She likes to stir people up.” He waves a hand to the stairs on the side of the barn. “Those will take you up safely.”
He then turns to me. “Let’s get your order sorted out. I just need you to sign your pickup form and you’re set.”
Movement from the barn door catches my attention. Looking over, there’s a dog peeking at us from the other side of the door.
“Another truffle dog?” I ask Levi, following him to his desk.
“I wish.” Levi glances up at the little guy, who is slowly making his way into the barn, timidly but he’s coming. “That’s Becks. He’s not up to snuff for what we need.”
“Up to snuff?” I grab at my heart in faux shock. “That’s just mean.”
“The dogs we have are all truffle hunters, and he’s not that into it. In fact, the only thing he’s good at finding is dirty laundry.”
“We all need something,” I insist, not liking hearing that someone, in this case a four-legged someone, doesn’t fit in. When I cast my eyes back in the direction where the dog had been hovering, I’m surprised to see he’s made his way over so he’s now sitting about a foot from me. He’s black and white, a medium-sized border collie, with eyes that are each a different color: one is icy blue, the other a forest green. “He is cute, Levi. Are you guys spoiling him since he’s not a working dog?”
Levi shakes his head, his expression downcast. “We can’t keep him. Austin and I aren’t here most of the year because of football, and due to time and resources, Mom can only handle four dogs. Becks was supposed to be the fourth dog, but after a two-month trial, it became evident he wasn’t going to be what we needed, so Mom replaced him. She kept him around waiting for us to get back so we could decide what to do. I think she was hoping one of us would volunteer to keep him.”
Sparkling eyes catch mine, and there’s a tug at my heart as this dog slides to his belly and places his head on his front paws, watching me. But the sound of two rowdy men upstairs laughing breaks the serene moment.
