Page 6 of Chasing Bandit

“Nash and Jovie, Marianne and I are so happy for you two and the journey you’re about to embark on together in marriage. We’re also excited that you’ve chosen to have your wedding on Ashwood Ranch where your mother grew up. Your grandpa would be so proud, Jovie.” He nodded at her as she smiled back, and Nash squeezed her shoulder tightly, tucking her closer into his armpit.

My brother was so whipped, but I was genuinely happy for him. Jovie and I had grown close over the past year since she’d moved to town and though I’d given her shit at the beginning of her stay, she was good for my brother. Knowing now that Jovie was carrying my two little nephews, I was thrilled, even if I didn’t show it. I loved kids and hoped to have some of my own someday, with the right person, of course. While I wasn’t excited about being tethered to Stevie as godparents to my little nephews, I had no doubt I’d be the best damn godfather they could ever have.

“We’ll do whatever it takes to pull off this wedding in just under three months and make it the best one Lonestar Junction has ever seen.”

“Cheers to that!” Nash called out as we all chimed in and clinked glasses.

“Well, other than the celebration of y’all's engagement, Marianne and I had something else we wanted to share.”

I set my glass on the arm of the wooden chair and sat forward, narrowing my eyes.

“Marianne and I are in love.”

“What?” Stevie shouted out before I could ask the same damn thing.

Marianne stood up and walked next to my dad, placing her hand gently in his. “I know this might be a lot to take in, but Rig and I go way back. As you all are aware, we met when we were in middle school together, and life and other great loves pulled us apart. We both loved our spouses very much and will miss your parents for the rest of our lives. However, reconnecting with each other this past week since I’ve come back to Lonestar Junction has reminded us of the young love that we used to have for each other and showed us that time is short, life is precious, and there's space in life to love more than one person deeply.”

Ms. Vector looked at my dad with the same loving gaze that Nash and Jovie shared however, I was too in shock to speak. I glanced at Clay to gauge his reaction. Clay never cared about much, but he had loved our mom to her last breath and deeply missed and regretted that she hadn't been around to see him grow up. I knew that it’d been a point of pain in his young life for years and something he still struggled with. I thought he'd be a voice of reason in this however instead, he was shrugging like he could care less.

He wrapped his arms tightly around Savannah and murmured. “Happy for y’all, Dad."

My eyes found Jovie's in the corner, tears misty in hers as she clutched Nash’s hand and squeezed. Even Nash didn’t seem phased by this groundbreaking news.

Is everyone here drunk?

Finally, my eyes landed on Stevie, who was scowling and rolling her eyes. I was fairly certain our expressions mirrored each other’s, which pissed me off even more.

How was it possible that we were the only sane ones in this group who saw how bizarre this whole situation was? They hadn’t seen each other in over a decade, spent one week together, and now decided they were in love again?

Not to mention the fact that two of their children were marrying in three months.

“So,” my dad started again, “with that said, Marianne and I are going to seize the day. We don’t want to miss out on any more life together. We’re still young, and we want this new journey together to begin now. We’ll be heading out on a tour around the world to travel for the next three months until Nash and Jovie's wedding. We plan on going overseas and also exploring the West Coast, reconnecting with each other and rekindling the love and passion we used to have in our youth.”

Now my jaw was really on the floor. “You’re leaving Cameron ranch? Are you shittin' me?”

My dad’s eyes narrowed as his gaze cast my way. “No, son. Not shittin’ you. This is happening. You’re all older now and don't need us around anymore anyways.”

Nash and Jovie stood to hug my dad and Ms. Vector as if this was the best news they could possibly receive, overshadowing their own secret pregnancy with twins that would make our parents grandparents for the first time.

Guess they won't be sharing that news anytime soon.

My stomach churned as I stood up and went back inside. Sure, I’d always wanted my dad to find love again, just not with Stevie Vector’s mom. Marianne was nice enough, probably one of the nicest people he’d shown interest in since my mom passed away, but our lives were already too intertwined. Nash and Jovie getting married, Stevie and I being their kids' godparents, and now our parents falling in love—it was too much. At this point, I half expected them to reveal a secret younger sister that Clay was dating in some sort of throuple with Savannah.

I walked to the counter, grabbed the bottle of whiskey, and poured another tall glass with no ice. I knocked it back, feeling the familiar burn of the hot, brown liquid clear out the insanity surrounding our families. I turned to see Nash and Clay entering from the outside along with my dad, a serious look on his face.

“Nash, Wylie, come on into my office with me for a minute. Need to talk to you boys about something important.”

Chapter 5 – Wylie

My dad gestured toward his office with a nod. As I followed him, I heard Clay grumble about always being left out before heading back to the deck where the rest of the group had gathered.

I refilled my glass and followed Nash into my dad's familiar office, where he spent most of his evenings after working on the ranch. We sank into the worn leather chairs that carried the scent of my childhood and tobacco, exchanged shrugs, and waited.

Dad stood with his back to us, staring out the big bay windows that overlooked the sprawling backyard and deck where everyone was still gathered, laughing, and talking. He had that same stupid grin on his face that he wore every time he was around Ms. Vector now, and I started to realize the man was in love.

Cutting through the bullshit was my forte and I intended on doing that this evening.

"So, how exactly is Cameron ranch going to work with you gallivanting all over the world with your new girlfriend?" I demanded, knocking back half of my glass before setting it down on his desk.

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