Page 52 of Return By Fire

“Good. Jed texted me earlier. He wants you to leave his beer in the car so he has an excuse to follow you outside.”

What’s left unsaid between us is, so he can kiss you without blowing your cover. I drawl, “I demand better payment than this. Not only did I do all the shopping, but I also had to go to multiple stores to get what these bozos call ‘supplies.’ Did you know the bourbon your friend Nick drinks is close to one thousand dollars a bottle?”

“First, he’s not my friend. Second, tell me you’re kidding?”

“Not even close.”

“Let me guess—Kody and Brad ale?”

“Got it in one.” Begrudgingly I tack on, “Jennings at least has decent taste. He ordered the gin that’s distilled near our place in Florida.”

“That’s because Jed got him hooked on it.”

“Yeah. Jed sends him a case of it for his birthday, milestones, stuff like that.” I go quiet for a moment before I admit to Maris, “There’s a part of me that’s prepared to go in there and hate each and every one of them—particularly Jennings.”

Maris doesn’t dismiss my comment. “Because you recall all the pain Kara went through?”

“No, because I’m preparing myself for all the pain Kevin has yet to endure.”

“What does that me—” Maris is cut off by an incoming text.

Jed:

Door’s unlocked. Whenever you get here, just come in. We’re on the back porch next to the kitchen. The conversation’s getting more interesting by the second.

I don’t bother responding. Instead, I tell my sister-in-law, “Time to go play delivery boy.”

“Love you, Dean.”

“Love you too, Maris.” After disconnecting the call, I press the key fob to open the hatch. Before I forget, I slip on a baseball cap that will disguise my hair and eye color Jed claims would be distinctive to Jennings. Then, I load up both arms with as many bags as I can handle before sliding the box of booze into my arms. I pant, “Jed, you’d better be grateful your husband is in decent shape.”

I head to the front door of Nature’s Song and depress the latch. As Jed’s text indicated, it swings open easily. I don’t have the energy to pay much attention to my husband or any of the men surrounding him. When I unburden myself with the bags, I want to laugh.

Jed’s holding court in the middle of a sundeck and I’m the only one who realizes it. He meets my eyes as the others argue briefly about something mundane. His lips blow me an imperceptible kiss and he winks.

“I’d like to propose a toast,” Jed calls out.

All the Jacks face Jed, drinks already in hand. I take my time in the kitchen, opening and closing cabinets softly as I put away the monumental amount of booze and food so I can openly eavesdrop.

“It’s been seventeen years since I first met you assholes, and only when you refuse to visit me in Florida do I want to kill you fuckers,” Jed drawls. “So, to my brothers. One day, I hope Dean will be free to join me on one of these excursions so he can meet all of you.”

I have to spin to put my back to him to avoid laughing directly into his face. Then I choke up at the acceptance of strangers who have never met me but simply love Jed that much.

Bradley Meyers lifts his glass. “Hear, hear! To you and Dean.”

Nick Cain—holy fuck. Kevin would never believe this. The most legendary MMA fighter is toasting my marriage. He lifts his glass. “Don’t stop fighting for your love, Jed.”

Kody Laurence—whose love story breaks my heart every time Jed retells it. His lips curve into a smile that holds nothing but good tidings. “Keep building your forever. Make it last.”

Jennings—just being this close makes me want to choke the fucker— leans forward and clasps my husband by the shoulder. “To loving fearlessly. To holding on to Dean with both hands and never him letting go despite any turbulence you may face.”

Jed’s voice is choked up when he thanks the brothers of his heart. Reluctantly, I tune back into their conversation. “... Regrets? About what?”

“I don’t know. Maybe not inviting all of us to your wedding?” Nick’s voice sounds just like it does when he’s smack talking an opponent.

Jed doesn’t take the bait. “It was just Maris and Dean’s family. If either of us had expanded the guest list, it would have been a hullabaloo—not to mention ridiculously expensive.”

“Come on, man, you know we would have...,” Jennings starts.

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