Page 20 of Falling for Him
“I’m surprised Dad let her get away with his truck.” Brantley chuckles also standing and brushing off his hands on his jeans.
“He went finishing with Uncle Randy.”
“Ah, now it all makes sense.” Brant nods. My father made the mistake of letting her use his truck to hall all her fruit to the flea market. It’s too big, she can barely see over the steering wheel without sitting on a pillow. She brought it back, with a caved in bedside and a broken headlight. But she smiled sweetly and though he was irritated he kissed her and chuckled.
But he hides his keys now.
“Found the keys huh?” I ask as I take a cooler and throw my arms over her shoulder.
“Please, that man knows that he can’t hide things from me. I’m the one that finds everything he loses. Plus, inside his work boots really isn’t a great place for keys. He’s so predictable.” She smiles that sweet smile of hers and joins us. All sprawled out on the subfloor of where my living room will be, we laugh as she tells stories about all the times she’s dealt with her boys creating trouble. That’s what she calls us and all our friends, her boys. They’ve each been around her since diapers. It’s part of living in a small town.
I look over toward my brother’s house, seeing the girls all sitting out on the back deck. They’ve been there for hours. Knowing Lexi is there watching, it’s hard not to go to her.
I don’t want to push her, but last night I felt like we crossed over that imaginary line of awkwardness. It’s been tense with us, but something changed and I hope it’s a sign we are walking toward each other, instead of running away.
To be honest she has been the one running.
The sun had already startedto set, as we all gather on my brother’s deck. There’s the aroma of burgers and brats being cooked on the grill and laughter echoing around us all. Just a large group of friends, enjoying each other’s company.
All of us guys were beat, but when Brantley offered to cook and said he had a fridge full of cold beer, no one had to tell us twice.
I’m dirty, could really use a shower and a pillow, but standing here seeing Lexi smile and laugh without hesitation, makes it all worth it.
It’s been too long since she’s truly let go and enjoyed herself.
“What are you aiming for?” Sophie says through a fit of laughter, holding her side as she tries to remain upright staring forward at Finn and Marshall. Lexi is at her side, holding a bag in her hand as she tries to focus. Her arm swings back and forth, her tongue pressed to her upper lip, eyes narrowed.
“The hole,” she finally says as she releases the bag.
Finn hurries out of the way and Marshall isn’t as lucky as it hits him in the side of his head.
“What hole, his ear?” Sophie laughs so hard she crumbles to the ground and rolls into a ball.
Lexi places her hand on her hip. “He was in the way,” she states so seriously.
“What about me?” Rory chuckles sitting about five feet away. “I’m way over here and the last one you threw hit my shoulder.”
“Nope.” Lexi arches her brow and squares her shoulders. “That one I threw on purpose. I was actually aiming for your face.”
Rory holds her stare but I can sense he wants to laugh. After a silent stare down between the two of them he finally speaks. “You missed.”
“Maybe I should try again,” she challenges.
All I can do is watch and smile.
My heart is feeling so full as I sit back enjoying her happiness more than anything else about this night.
I noticed more than once her looking over at me, but she kept a safe distance. I’d play this out, let her find her way to me. I was willing to give her all the time she needed.
For now, this, it was perfect.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Lexi
I sensehim before I hear him, before I even see him. “You going back to Montgomery?”
“I am,” I say as I turn around to face him, taking another couple steps backwards. I try not to react to the manly ruggedness facing me. He’s been working all day, his shirt is off and tossed over his shoulder. The dark locks of his hair stick up from him continuously running his fingers through it. It’s a warm day, and I imagine he was ready for a shower and a long night’s sleep, but honestly he looked better than he should after a day a hard labor.
