Page 34 of Unexpected Love

Standing up, I tuck my phone into my pocket and splash some more cold water on my face. When I open the door, I’m surprised to find my brother standing with his back against the opposite wall.

“What’s up?”

“Can we talk for a minute?”

I follow him out the front door onto the porch. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah. We just haven’t had a chance to talk, and I wanted to tell you how sorry I am.”

I grab him and pull him into a hug. I’ve never shied away from showing affection to anyone in my family. “Thanks, Park. Did they say anything when I got up?”

“No, they looked concerned, but I told them I’d check on you.” He leans in close to me. “Chloe’s fucking hot. Way to go, man.”

I just shake my head at my brother, and I can honestly say that I don’t like him thinking about Chloe that way. “Watch it, little brother.” I give him a playful shove.

His eyes widen comically. “Is my brother seriously into this woman? I think so.” Parker shoves me back. “Oh, how the mighty have fallen.”

Have I fallen? Maybe…I don’t know, but I definitely want to see where it goes with us. Of course, the odds are stacked against us; she’s seven years older, we live four hours apart, and maybe all she wants from me is a fling—no, she said she felt it too, but what if she just said that because I did?

No, Chloe is not the type to play games. Even when she was still pregnant, she was honest with me about everything.

“Shut the fuck up. I haven’t fallen, but we’re going to see where it goes, and maybe it’ll become something more than what it is right now. How’s Charleston?”

“Fucking great. Uncle Cash redid the basement, so I’ve got a little apartment down there so I can have privacy. Of course I don’t bring girls home, but if I don’t come home at night, I don’t get any grief.”

Our nephew Rion chooses that moment to come to the screen door screaming, “Unc, Unc!” I open the door and grab him, lifting him into my arms. He screeches and then slaps my cheeks before giving me a sloppy kiss. Then the little man lunges for Parker, who gets the same treatment.

After that, we head back inside, and I finish my dinner while Mom and Abby start serving dessert. My mom sets mine in front of me, kisses the side of my head, and whispers, “I love you, honey.”

“Love you too.”

My mom sends Parker and me home with leftovers, and Haddie and I make plans to meet for lunch. I help Abby get the kids strapped into their car seats and promise Natalie that I’ll come over for a playdate soon.

After they leave, Parker and I sit out back with Dad and have a beer. He stares out across our backyard, and I can’t help but wonder what’s on his mind. Parker looks at me with a raised brow, and all I can do is shrug.

Finally, he turns around and sits across from us. “I’m so proud of you boys and the men you’re becoming. I know you both have been wild. Don’t think I don’t hear the stories about you both. I was the same way until I met your mom and she changed everything.” He looks at me. “If you feel like there’s something worth fighting for in Chloe, then you fucking fight for her.” What’s happening? He then turns to Parker. “You…make sure you’re safe.”

After our dad hugs us, he heads inside. Parker turns to me. “Is Dad dying or something?”

I shake my head. “No, maybe it’s Chloe losing the baby and Abby being pregnant again. We’re all growing up. Maybe it’s just freaking him out.”

“Yeah, maybe you’re right. I’m heading in. I have to be up early to drive back to Charleston in the morning, and Mom promised homemade biscuits and gravy if I stayed.” He disappears inside. I swallow the rest of my beer and take the empty bottle inside before saying goodbye to my folks.

Haddie left a while ago to meet someone—she just wouldn’t say who. I hate that my baby sister is a knockout. I haven’t missed the way guys look at her. It makes me borderline homicidal because I’m a guy who knows exactly what is going through their minds. I have half a mind to go track her ass down and see who she’s meeting, but I won’t. She’s eighteen and able to make her own decisions…I guess.

My mom walks me out when I take my leave. “Is Dad okay? He was getting deep with Parker and me outside earlier, and it kind of freaked us out.”

“Oh, he’s fine. We were with your aunts and uncles the other day for lunch, and we just got to talking about all you kids and how great everyone is doing. I think it just hit us how blessed we are.” She grabs my arm and gives it a squeeze. “Don’t get me wrong—you’ve all put us through the ringer at some point, but you’ve all found your paths, and we’re grateful for that.”

I kiss her cheek and promise to come by for dinner one night this coming week.

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