Page 77 of Home in the Country
I laugh but ignore his message as I slip my phone into my desk. Things with Otto are great, but I’m not ready to rock the boat. I just hope that decision doesn’t come back to bite me in the ass.
25
OTTO
“Hey Case?”
“Yeah?” my brother says without looking up from the hole he’s digging.
“Some kid made fun of Briggs cause his father isn’t here for that dads lunch thing at school.” Giving me his full attention, Case’s eyebrows slash down before a scowl takes over his face.
“We goin’?”
My smile is immediate. “You wanna go?”
“Hell yeah. Kid is family.”
OTTO: Kid made fun of Briggs coz his dad isn’t here for dads lunch at school. Case is comin’ with me—anyone else?
SORREN: What time?
HANK: I’ll bring Everett
WAYLON: I’m in and so are Dad and Cullen
WAYLON: Hank, your father-in-law is weirdly excited about this
HANK: Makin’ up for lost time – also Hayden is coming apparently
WAYLON: And Jake
HANK: I’ll bring some extra food – I’m sure they’re not expecting us to descend on the school
SORREN: I’m going to swing by the bakery and grab the stuff Rhea is putting together
OTTO: Meet outside the school at 11:30
OTTO: Thanks guys
SORREN: It’s what we do
For being the least approachable out of everyone, Sorren is always the first one to answer when it’s important. Mama’s words ring through my mind again because she was right, likealways.My heart fills with pride and hope and so much fuckin’ love it’s about to burst.
I’ll probably cry today, but I gotta keep my shit together for at least a little while longer.
OTTO: I need a favor
CHEYENNE: What do you need?
The hours pass in a blur, and everyone is already waiting in the school parking lot by the time Case and I pull up. Cheyenne, the angel that she is, managed to fill my order with minutes to spare. I stuffed a wad of cash in the register after she refused to let me pay her.
Fuck that.
Girl is hella talented, and selfishly it was easier to be a goof about it than start cryin’ like a baby. I did that when I played “My Boy” by Elvie Shane on the way to the school because I’m a glutton for punishment and all up in my feelings today.
“’You guys ready?” I ask as I climb out of the truck with the stack of shirts in my hand.
Case and I already have the navy blue T-shirts on that sayProperty of Briggsin big white lettering on the front.
