Page 111 of Sweet Like Whiskey

They exchange a glance, each shaking their head.

“What do you think it is?” Remi asks. “Being apart from Wendy so much? That’s gotta be hard.”

“Might be that,” I agree before shrugging. “But I dunno.”

“Well, what do you suggest?” Colton asks, grinning before I even have a chance to answer. “Brotherly intervention?”

“Brotherly intervention,” I concur.

Colton pumps his fist. “I’ll bring the mallows. And the whiskey.Ooh. Strippers?”

“No strippers,” me and Remi say at the same time.

Colton pouts. “Y’all are no fun.”

“Will you invite Ash?” Remi asks.

I grunt. “’Course.”

He smiles, a knowing thing.‘You love him,’he signs, watching me closely. Maybe because he knows how hard it might be for me to see those words. Or it would have been.Before. Back when I was still bitter. When I was hurting over Otto and didn’t want to put my heart at risk again.

Now?

Now it’s not so hard at all.

Remi’s smile widens, but he doesn’t push. Colton looks between the two of us, having missed Remi’s unspoken words.

“What?” he asks.

“Nothing,” I answer, standing. “Bonfire tonight. I’ll make sure Lawson’s there.”

Colton claps his hands together, he and Remi discussing marshmallow options as I head out of the barn. A smile lifts my lips when I think about the man inside the ranch house making bread. The one with the perpetual hum and a fierce sort of resilience I can’t help but admire.

I think, quite possibly, he might be the strongest person I know.

“Okay, so tell me again why none of you have simplyaskedyour brother what’s wrong?” Ash says, pulling on his boots. It’s dark out, the fire already going out back. When I don’t respond, Ash pauses, looking up at me. “Jack?”

His hair is falling over his cheek, eyes wide and stormy blue. All I can do is shake my head, not knowing how to articulate the random rushes of affection I’ve been feeling for him. For months, really, but especially these past few weeks.

“Not the way we do it,” I mutter, distracted as Ash tucks that hair away. It falls again, and there goes my chest, feeling as if it’s being wrung in a vise.

Ash huffs a laugh. “No, you Darling brothers just throw bonfires and use whiskey as an excuse to air your feelings. Which, look, I’m not opposed to your methods. But do you have stock in the town’s distillery or something? ’Cause I swear you guys go through more—”

“Move in with me.”

His eyes whip my way.

“Move in,” I repeat, my heart thudding. “You’ve been staying here every night anyhow. Just…move your stuff here. Stay. With me.”

He drops his head forward, muttering a, “Fuck.”

My gut sinks. “You don’t wanna—”

“Yes, I’ll move in with you, Jackson Darling,” he says, pushing to his feet. My heart races as he steps forward, coming to a stop right in front of me. “I’m going to owe Virginia lunch thanks to you. You mean it? You want me here?”

My breath leaves me in a rush. “More than anything.”

Ash’s eyes run over my face. “Christ, Jack. You’re too good to be real.”

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