Page 91 of Kyle

“Doesn’t the councilman owe you a favor?”

Cole stokes his chin, and we can all see the wheels turning. His chair creaks as he leans forward and points a finger at Crash. “You might have something there, VP.”

The meeting drones on for another half hour as they toss ideas back and forth and make a plan, but all I can think about is Sutton.

TJ is standing next to me, and I catch his eye and mouth the words, “You get it?”

He nods.

Cole notices. “You boys got something you want to share with the class?”

He makes us feel like fourth grades getting caught passing notes.

TJ throws me under the bus. “Kyle is just impatient to get on to the next of the evening’s festivities.”

Cole’s eyes shift to me. “That so?”

Green is tipped back in his chair, but brings the front legs down with a bang. “Oh, that’s right. Word is he’s got a property patch to hand out. Sweet love is in the air.”

Cole rolls his eyes and slams the gavel down. “Fine. Meeting adjourned.”

We trudge out the door, and Green throws his arm around me. “Now there’s a way to do this thing, kid.”

“Do it any way you want,” Red Dog disagrees. “Leave him alone, Green.”

“Hey, I’m practically his cupid. I set him up with the Love Machine, didn’t I? I think I oughta get some credit for makin’ this whole thing happen.”

“You get no credit,” my father snaps.

“Yeah, what Wolf said,” Shane mutters, shoving Green’s head.

We walk out into the main room, and the ladies spin around.

Cole drags a chair out into the center and crooks a finger at Sutton. “Come here, girlie.”

She looks like a deer in the headlights but does as he says.

“It’s all you, kid,” Cole says, slapping my shoulder.

A moment later, TJ walks over with the vest.

I take it and turn to face the love of my life.

“Sutton, I’m asking you to wear this. It means you’re mine. Always. Forever. No more running away. Understand?”

“That’s romantic, brother,” Rafe says, sarcasm biting his tone.

I give him a death glare, and he lifts his palms up, laughing. Turning to Sutton, I hold the vest up, letting her read it. “I want you to be my ol’ lady, Sutton. You gotta tell me now—yes or no. You know I love you, and I’ll do anything for you, girl. So how ‘bout it?”

“Say yes, Sutton!” the girls all scream.

She stands. “Yes, baby. I want to be your ol’ lady. More than anything.”

I swoop her into my arms and twirl her around.

“Good thing you said yes, Sutton,” TJ adds. “He had to pay a hundred bucks extra to get the patch lady to make that for you in a rush job.”

I set her down and slip it on her, then bend her back with a big kiss, and all my brothers and their ol’ ladies cheer.

---