Page 46 of Home in the Country
Walking up next to the birthday boy, I hold out the box as a peace offering.
“Hayden thought you might like this.”
He takes the box from my hands. “I’m going to…”—he looks at Briggs and then says—“unalive him.”
“At least the cake will be good, right?” I say hopefully.
Everett sighs with defeat and motions everyone to follow him toward the back.
“Oh, we should be—”
“Come on, Fallon. You delivered the cake; you get a piece too,” Everett grumbles, and Briggs takes my hand as we follow the group.
“Fallon, before I forget, I have something for you. I’ll be right back,” Waylon says before walking back toward the parking lot.
Confused, we continue into the break room where Hank has set out plates and plastic forks. Otto is arguing with Everett about proper cake-cutting techniques, and this very well might be the strangest day I’ve had in a long time.
As the guys pass out cake, Waylon walks in holding a wooden sign that’s almost as tall as Briggs.
“Hey Briggs, I’m Waylon.”
“Like Marlee?” Briggs asks, and Waylon grins.
“Exactly.” He squats down until he’s eye level with my son and then turns the sign around. “She told me that you love cars and trucks, and I thought this might look cool in your new room.”
Briggs’s eyes go wide, and he lets out a loud shriek causing everyone to turn and look at us. Otto winks and then responds to something Hank said.
“Thank you!” Briggs hops from foot to foot and gives Waylon a toothy grin.
Tears cloud my vision, and I do my best to blink them away. The sign is beautifully carved and stained, with tire tracks burned into the wood and Briggs’s name in big block letters. It’s young enough for a boy but still something that he’ll love a few years from now, if the cars and trucks all over the house are any indication.
“Waylon, this is beautiful. I don’t know what to say.”
He smiles, and it’s warm and open but there’s a hint of mischief in his gaze.
“We take care of family.”
My mouth opens, and I’m about to saybut we aren’t familybut stop short because this feels like family—stopping by the garage to drop something off, teasing Everett about his birthday, meeting Otto in the parking lot.
We belong here and we have people who love us. Why the hell am I fighting it so hard?
I look up and see Otto staring at me, and the intensity makes my breath catch. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Waylon stand to his full height, and he says in a low voice, “Sometimes the people we love the most are the hardest to let in.”
“What?” I look at him, and his smile is knowing as he gives my shoulder a light squeeze. I’m vaguely aware of Briggs sitting next to Everett at the table as they both eat cake and giggle about something.
“Sorry I’m late!” Hayden singsongs as he bursts into the room with a flourish. He’s dressed in pink scrubs and does a little shimmy as he drops his bag on a chair in the corner and bends over slightly as he rummages through it.
Briggs is still talking Everett’s ear off, but I see the man’s eyes flick up to where his roommate is located…and linger for just a moment longer than necessary. It’s a quick scan, but the interest is obvious.
Guess I’m not the only one struggling with going after what I want.
Hayden turns with his phone in his hand and types something before placing it on the table.
“Thought you were workin’ all day today?” Everett asks.
“Nope. I swapped with Harper. She’s collectin’ favors so that she has extra time off for her wedding.”
Everett stares at Hayden like he can’t quite put this puzzle together. Hank smirks from across the room and rubs his palm over his mouth to hide it.
