Page 89 of Home in the Country
Three dots appear and then disappear repeatedly and my lips twitch.
“You’re getting Briggs from school?”
“Yes,” Tanner slowly says.
“Cool. I’ll go with you. Fallon can meet us there, and I’ll stand back while y’all have your reunion.”
“I don’t—”
“She’s gonna wanna be there, and then I’ll be taking her back to my house.”
“Ah…”
“And you guys won’t need Fallon for anything other than a call at bedtime.”
“Yep.” His lips are rolled inward, and it’s doing absolutely nothing to hide his amusement.
“Good. She’s busy.”
“Noted.”
“And then we’ll have a big welcome barbeque at my parents’ on Saturday and you can meet everyone.”
His eyes widen. “Oh, um…that’s not necessary. It’s sudden and after what happened at lunch—”
“My brother took care of it,” I say, recalling Case’s message.
“Do I even wanna know?” Tanner drags his hands down his face. The guy looks exhausted, and I know I’m a lot, but I’m also the most genuine motherfucker you’ll ever meet.
Shrugging, I say, “Probably not,” then tap out a new message.
OTTO: Meet us at the school
FALLON: What? Why? What happened?
OTTO: We’re bonding—and I know you’ll want to be with them for the reunion
FALLON: Thank you Otto—I know you’re mad but that means so much to me (heart emoji)
OTTO: I know
OTTO: But Princess?
FALLON: Yes?
OTTO: Tanner is takin’ Briggs home and then be ready because you’re mine tonight
FALLON: **gulp**
I don’t bother responding. She can take it however she wants because tonight there will beno questionwho she belongs to and what my intentions are.
“I don’t want to know what that smile is for, do I?”
“Prolly not.”
“We should start heading over to the school,” Tanner says as he gathers his water bottle.
“Do you wanna take my truck? Then you can take Fallon’s car back with Briggs.”
