Page 138 of Duke
CHAPTER 32
Quittin’ Time
Duke
The week Wheeler’s parents are due to visit, I take Thursday and Friday off to prepare.
Even though they’re staying at the New House, I still clean the cottage top to bottom. I pay a small fortune to have three new rocking chairs and a pair of side tables for the family room rush delivered. I mow the grass, stock the fridge, mop the floors, and practice making a few recipes from one of Mom’s cookbooks. I refresh the tape we use to hang Ella’s and Junie’s art on our fridge, including the three pieces we won at the auction. Wheeler and I figured we’d have her family over to the cottage for dinner the night we tell them about the pregnancy, so I planned a simple but hearty meal: skillet pork chops with shallots, cheesy grits, and roasted brussels sprouts.
Wyatt brings over some wine. Ever since Mollie taught him all about Barolo so he’d sound smart on his first date with Sally, he’s become obnoxiously helpful on that front.
Ava and the girls bake us chocolate chunk cookies for dessert. Patsy drops off some homemade vanilla bean ice cream, along with a note.Good luck! Please remember that firearms are to be used for life-and-death situations only. Don’t pull a John B! Much love, P.
John B and Wyatt had a—well, we’ll call it a “charged moment” when John found out Sally wasn’t going to take some big veterinary job in New York. He mistakenly thought she wanted to stay in Hartsville because Wyatt was holding her back,when in reality, he was planning to leave his whole life behind and move to New York with her.
A shotgun was involved. So were some choice words about Sally’s decision to forgo the job offer. Luckily, Sally, Wyatt, and John B were able to quickly work through the misunderstanding, and no one was shot. Still left us all a little shaken. How could I not be, seeing one of my favorite people in the world pull a gun on my brother?
Ryder, being Ryder, doesn’t bring anything except advice I don’t need.
“They maysayyou and Wheeler are dead to them, but I doubt they’ll actually mean it.”
I set one of the new rocking chairs in front of the hearth on the porch. I cluck my tongue when I see it’s not the exact same shade of black as the other two I already have. “So helpful. Thanks for nothing.”
“Hey. I’m just trying to lighten the mood a little. You’re clearly nervous.”
“What makes you say that?” I pull the rocking chair an inch to the right. Nope, now it’s too close to the fireplace. I pull it two inches to the left and curse when I see that it’s too far.
Ryder nods in my general direction. “You’re obsessing over stupid shit. Her parents don’t care if your rocking chairs are in a perfect fucking circle. They just want to know that you love their daughter and that you’ll be there for her when this baby comes.”
Straightening, I wince at the soreness in my middle. All this prep is doing a number on my back. “What if they’re not? Like, if they’re not there when the baby comes, I mean. Wheeler’s not super close with her parents or her older brother. But I know she’ll be crushed if they pretend like none of this is happening and don’t participate in our kid’s life.”
Ryder pulls off his baseball hat, smoothing back his hair before putting the hat on backward. “Fuck them if that’s what they do.”
“No shit. But that won’t bring Wheeler any comfort.”
“Us being there will.” He hops down the steps to grab another rocking chair. “They ain’t the only family she’s got now. And you bet your bottom dollar all eighty-seven of us Riverses and Powells and Bartletts and Lucks are gonna be in that hospital waiting room.”
I chuckle. “How much you wanna bet Wyatt’ll get kicked out for sneaking in a flask?”
“Not if they don’t kick me out first for the same offense.” He carefully sets down the rocking chair beside the others, stepping back to eyeball it before moving the chair a little ways back.
Ryder may talk a big game about not giving a shit, but deep down, he cares. A lot. That thought makes my heart twist.
“Thank you.” My voice is gruff. “For being with me through all this. Wheeler talks a lot about what a good friend I am, and I think…I know I learned it from you.”
“You getting all sappy and shit on me?” Ryder smiles. “Good.”
“I hate you.”
“That’s not very nice. I love you. Very much. And I can’t wait to love up on your sweet baby.” He claps me on the shoulder. “Why you think you want a girl so bad?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because I’m obsessed with Wheeler, and I can imagine just how fun it would be to have a mini version of her running around.” I look up at the cottage. Then I glance at my truck. “Think I’m gonna need something newer.”
Ryder chuckles softly. “Might be good to have a car with a back seat, for both safety and making out purposes.”
“I’ll call Rod at the dealership.” I pull out my phone to make a note of it. “Sawyer said he gave him a good deal on his Silverado.”
My brother squints up at the sky. “You gonna marry her?”
