Page 63 of For the Boys
They ran a load of Berkley’s stuff inside, and when they came back out, Logan’s black Silverado was pulling into the driveway.
Logan had barely stepped out of the car when Berkley launched herself at her brother, who stood over six-feet like their father and had blonde hair like their mother. He scooped her up and spun around, squeezing her tightly.
“Who are you, and what have you done with my sister?” Logan asked, setting her on her feet and studying her at arm’s length. “Did you lose weight?”
“What is it with you people?” He set her down, and Berkley jokingly pinched his stomach. “Did yougainweight? Too many steak and lobster dinners on the company card?” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her in, dropping a kiss on the top of her head.
“I missed you, you dork,” he said once he let her go.
“I missed you too, you goon.” They grabbed the rest of her bags and went inside, where she was greeted by the family’s two Golden Retrievers.
“Hi, Bristol! Hi, Rambo!” she cooed as she bent down to pet the dogs, who were both fighting for her attention. “How are my babies?”
“Of course the dogs get attention before your old man.” Berkley looked up to see her father grinning down at her.
“Hi, Daddy!” She stood up and gave him a big hug, taking the can of beer out of his hand and chugging half of it.
“Brat,” he said as she danced out of the way to take her bags upstairs.
The next week and a half came and went in a flash. Despite the fact that he sometimes worked six or seven days a week, Berkley saw a lot of Logan. When he wasn’t around, she listened to Jess complain about a boy, or her friends, and gave her advice. Sometimes she’d go to construction sites with her dad to see how various projects were coming along.
She also met a few of her high school friends for dinner one night, and they agreed to get together for New Year’s Eve. Berkley had to admit, she was excited about the prospect of a night out to just let loose before returning to Detroit for her final semester of law school.
Mostly she sat around the house, read some new books, and thought about Brent. They managed to talk on the phone and over FaceTime a few times, but it wasn’t enough. She had to admit, despite her reluctance about letting him into her life, he had become part of it quite seamlessly.
Simply put, she missed him.
Before she knew it, Christmas Eve had arrived, and Berkley’s extended family was packed inside the basement of their house. The kids were playing foosball or Mario Kart. The teenagers sat on the couch, studiously ignoring everyone around them in favor of their phones. Berkley, Logan, Jess, their parents, and their aunts and uncles sat around the card table playing rummy.
Berkley’s phone vibrated in her pocket and pulled it out to see Brent was calling.
“Sorry, guys. I have to take this.” Berkley hurried away from the table before answering.
“Hey, you,” she said as she sprinted to the top of the stairs, plopping down on a couch in the sunroom.
“Hey, yourself,” he said. “What’s up?”
“Not much, just playing card games with my family.” A floorboard creaked behind her. She whipped her head around, but no one was there. “What’re you up to?”
“Just got to my parents’ place,” he said, and a car door slammed in the background. “It’s snowing like crazy here! But I figured I’d give you a call while I could. The next few days are going to be pretty busy.”
“Aww, well I appreciate the thought,” she said. “It’s good to hear your voice.”
“It’s good to hear yours too.” The smile in his voice was practically audible.
“I can’t wait to see you when I get back. Are you going to take me on another proper date?”
Brent laughed. “You’re never going to stop giving me shit for taking so long to ask you out, are you?”
“Never,” she said. “I’m sorry to cut this so short, but I should probably get back to the card game. I’m sure they’re wondering where I am. Thank you for calling.”
“Of course,” he said. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, babe.”
“Babe, huh?”
Berkley’s cheeks heated. “I’m sorry. It just felt right.”
