Page 126 of Ever With Me

Maybe he and Dan had more in common than he realized.

The topic changed again to something more pleasant, and within a few minutes, Dan had pulled into her grandfather’s street and dropped them off at Maddie’s grandfather’s driveway.

Brooks reached for Maddie’s hand.

When was the last time he’d met anyone’s family?

The normalcy of it was more intimidating than anything else. He was just a guy, dating a woman, about to meet her family. That was how it went in the movies, right? A family barbecue was tame enough.

“You look like you’re holding your breath,” Maddie teased, poking him in the ribs. “Don’t worry, they’re not going to hurt you. Naomi is the most likely to give you a grilling, and she’s too repentant right now to say anything.”

“I’m fine. I’m just not the biggest talker, you know.” They drew closer to the back gate. A white picket fence.Of course.“Give me the rundown. Who’s here?”

Maddie tucked her arm into his, her breast curving against his arm.Dammit, woman.Was she doing that on purpose? “Well, you know Naomi. She’s over by the swings with her husband, Jeremy, and her two daughters, Emily and Olivia. And that guy over there by the grill is Jake, who is talking to my dad, Larry. You’ve met Travis. He’s playing corn hole with my sister Lindsay—the one who looks like me—and his sister, Grace. And Bunny is right next to my grandfather?—”

“Peter.” Brooks jerked his chin up with surprise.

Maddie’s grandfather was Peter—the old guy from the fishing boat.

He let out a chuckle of disbelief.

Maddie drew her brows together as she studied his profile. “You’ve met him?”

“Yeah, he—uh . . .” Brooks rubbed the back of his neck. “Drove me out of Main Street the first day we met. Then he took me fishing a week ago with his friend Brian.”

“You’ve gone fishing with my grandfather?” Maddie’s jaw dropped open.

“He’s . . . a good listener.”

It all made sense.

No wonder he felt he could bear his soul to the chatty man.

Maddiewasjust like him.

Peter saw him and raised his hand in a greeting. “Brooks!” He crossed the yard, ambling toward them with a wide smile. “I was wondering when I was going to meet you officially.” He kissed Maddie on the cheek, then shook his hand. “Looks like you solved that woman problem, eh?”

“Womanproblem?” Maddie crossed her arms. “Did you talk to my grandfather about me?”

Brooks laughed. “I didn’t know I was talking to your grandfather.”

“Don’t worry, Maddie, it was nothing bad.”

“You know, I don’t even want to know. If that old letch Brian Pearson was there, all bets are off on what could have been said.” Maddie lifted her hands and started to walk away.

Brooks caught up with her and grabbed her by the waist, dragging her back against him. He kissed the side of her neck as she laughed. “Mostly, we talked about how I shouldn’t offer you any sausage, but I didn’t listen,” he hissed in her ear. “And you’re not abandoning me to meet everyone on my own.”

“Oh my God!” Maddie’s cheeks predictably grew red, but her eyes danced with amusement.

“Awww, you guys are so cute,” Lindsay cooed and left her game of cornhole. She extended her hand to Brooks. “I’m Lindsay. Maddie’s nice sister.”

“Hey!” Naomi gave a shocked look. “Just because I was a jerk one time doesn’t mean you’re the nice one. I was protecting my sister.” She joined them. “But seriously, I’m sorry about my behavior, Brooks.”

“Wait, you women can’t hog Brooks all to yourself. I’m Jake.” Jake came jogging over. “And?—”

Jake scanned the laughing expressions of his sisters. “. . . and I’m going to immediately go shotgun a beer and burp to prove my masculinity.”

“Oh, honey,” Lindsay said with a laugh, “it’s going to take a lot more than a beer to prove that.”

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