Page 78 of What About Now

I never knew I could have this. I’m so thankful for this life and what’s yet to come. I’d like to think our dad had a hand in guiding us here. Maybe it was Mom too. They’re together now, and I know they’d want nothing more than for Briar and me to be happy and settled.

We’ve found our tribe, our people, our family.

“Let’s eat,” Maddox says, pulling me out of my thoughts.

With a flurry of activity, we all find our way to the kitchen to make our plates, and I can’t help but think back to the day a little over a year ago when everyone was here for the twins’ fourth birthday. So much has changed since then, but I wouldn’t change a single second of any of it.

CHAPTER

EIGHTEEN

Maddox

It’s my wife’s birthday week. It’s a week of celebrating I can get behind with all that I am, because we get to celebrate her. Not just my wife, but my sister-in-law, Briar, too.

Forrest and I have been planning this celebration for weeks now. At first we talked about a kid-free night out with just the adults, but we immediately vetoed that idea. Briar and Brogan would want the girls there, and all the kids, actually. They’re all about family and being together and after all that they’ve lost, we understand that.

So, we enlisted the help of Legend, Roman, and Lachlan, and an idea was born. It was Roman who suggested we reach out to Royce Riggins, a long-time client. He and his family have a huge cabin in Gatlinburg that they let friends and family use if they’re not using it. One phone call and we were booked for this weekend, Thursday through Sunday.

“You’re really not going to tell me where we’re going?” Brogan asks from the passenger seat of my truck.

“Nope,” I say, grinning. The guys and I decided this would be a surprise for not just Brogan and Briar, but for Monroe andEmerson too. We did tell Maggie but swore her to secrecy. We knew the ladies would want her there, and well, she doesn’t have a husband who can tell her to pack a bag and ask off work for a few days. Lachlan is picking her up, so she doesn’t have to drive by herself, and the rest of us, well, we’re taking our families on a trip, and our wives have no idea.

We had to say there’s a “no cell” phone rule for the weekend. It’s a lie. We’ll give them back to them as soon as we get to the cabin, but it was too risky that they would text each other and figure us out.

“Why do you get your phone, and I don’t get mine?” Brogan asks.

“Because I need it for the GPS.”

She pouts in the passenger seat, looking cute as hell. “I’m not good with surprises, Maddox.”

I reach over and place my hand on her thigh. “I know, baby, but I promise you this is going to be a good surprise. I just wanted to do something special for you for your birthday.”

“But I always spend my birthday with Briar.”

“I know, but please, can we have this weekend?” I feel like an asshole not telling her. I have to keep reminding myself that the surprise will be worth it.

“Yeah,” she finally agrees. “I guess this year is different for both of us. We both have husbands now.”

“That’s the spirit.” If we pull this off, it’s going to be epic.

Three and a half hours later, we’re pulling into the cabin. We’re the last to arrive from the looks of the four other trucks parked outside. Brogan gasps as she recognizes the trucks.

“They’re all here?” she asks.

“Yes.”

“Maddox!” She turns to me, and she’s smiling.

“I’d never take you away from your sister on your birthday.”

“I love you.”

“And I love you. Come on. Let’s go inside. I’ll get our bags later.” I don’t bother to tell her to wait for me to get her door, because I know she’s too excited for that. She hops out of the truck, and I do the same, lacing my fingers with hers as we take each step to the front porch. On the final step, the door bursts open, and Briar comes rushing out. I drop Brogan’s hand just in time for her twin sister to launch herself into my wife’s arms.

“Can you believe this?” Briar asks. “You have to see the cabin. This place is insane.”

Brogan looks back at me over her shoulder where I stand watching my wife and her sister have their moment. “Go check it out. I’ll get our bags.” That’s the only encouragement she needs as they rush inside to check the place out.

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