Page 95 of The Fake Out Flex

I give Oakey another push and take a proper look at my sister. Gone is the decked-out-in-all-black goth girl she used to be—including her jet-black hair; she's back to her natural auburn color—and in her place is a beautiful, smiling, happy wife and proud mom-of-one.

"You're looking well," I say, before returning my attention to Oakey.

"That's because I am well."

"Mooore!" Oakey cries out again, so I make some grunting noises behind him to make him think I'm pushing him harder. I'm already swinging him pretty high.

I miss the little guy so much when I'm on the road. I love seeing how he's growing and developing every time I come for a visit.

Being an uncle is awesome, but it's got nothing on what I really would love someday—kids of my own with the woman I love.

I glance around the pretty park, nestled in the heart of the small town of Cedar Crest Hollow. The January air is crisp, carrying the fresh scent of pine from the nearby forest. Snow caps the distant mountain peaks. While a few locals are wandering about, we're the only ones crazy enough to be using the playground equipment.

I never pictured Dawn settling down in a place like this. She and I spent so many nights dreaming about leaving Comfort Bay. I was sure she'd end up in a big city like LA or New York. Maybe even Chicago. Not a tranquil, picturesque small mountain town.

"Is this enough for you?" I ask.

It's a blunt question, but the thing about Dawn and me is that even though we aren't natural talkers, when we do talk, we get straight to the point. We say what we mean, and we never sugarcoat anything.

"Life is what you make it, Fraser," she says, taking over swing-pushing duties. "And if someone wants to make their life about chasing money or power or success or whatever, then that's fine. More power to them. I've chosen to make my life about people. My husband. My son. My family. That's more than enough for me."

Warmth fills my chest. "I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks." A smile spreads across her face as she looks my way. "What about you? Are you happy?"

"Yeah. I guess. The season's going great."

"True."

"No issues with the family. Everyone is doing well."

"Also true. But what about love?" When I struggle to find an answer, she hedges, "You know that thing, when you're in something and can't make sense of it, but it's actually pretty clear to someone else on the outside observing the situation?"

I kick the ground. "Yeah. Sort of."

"Would I be overstepping if I shared with you my observation about what might be going on with you?"

"It would be, but you were born in Comfort Bay, so it comes with the territory. Go ahead."

"I only say this because I recognize it as something I went through, the tension that comes from wanting to desperately protect your heart at all costs and yet, at the same time, longing for the type of connection that only comes from being truly vulnerable. Am I in the right ballpark?"

Nail, meet head.

"You got it in one."

"You and me, Fraser, we're different from the rest of the family. We're introverted, naturally reserved. We need time to establish trust and really get to know someone on a deeper level. And even with the people closest to us, the ones we love and trust the most, we still don't always find it easy to open up. Right?"

"Right."

"But if Evie is your person, I really think you should?—"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa…Hang on a minute." Dawn is the only person I've told that Evie and I aren't actually dating. But she still has no idea that I've been secretly in love with Evie for years. "This whole relationship thing is fake, remember?"

"Is it, though?" Her blue eyes meet mine. "Because if I'm being honest, it's kind of obvious you have a thing for her."

I sag against the swing set. "Not you, too."

She smirks. "Who else picked up on it? Levi?"

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