Page 7 of The Hardest Part

“You can,” Billy insisted. “It’s not breakin’ the stupid fucking rules to hold her. You can let her kiss your cheek or play with your hair.”

“Believe me when I tell you, I can’t.” His hand curling into a fist on his thigh, he dropped his chin. “Come April, you’ll understand.”

Maybe so, but Billy didn’t care to think about that right now. While he could only imagine how difficult this must be for his brother, it was Emily’s feelings that mattered here.

“You gotta at least try. For her.”

He put the truck back in gear. “I know.”

The upperclassmen made a beeline for the stairs at the sound of the bell. Emily, Shiloh, and Griffin were waiting for him, the same as they always did since the senior classrooms were the closest to the stairs. At least they got to have lunch together this year. Last year, when Billy was a sophomore, he only passed them in the hall.

He hooked his arm around Emily’s waist, and drawing her closer, kissed her on the cheek. “C’mon, I’m starving.”

“You always are.”

True, but then he’d woken up late and barely had enough time to wash down a pop-tart with some orange juice, so he was extra hungry today. To make up for it, he loaded his tray with a double cheeseburger and an extra-large order of chili-smothered cheese fries.

“That’s a heart attack on a plate there, Billy.”

“So good, though,” he said, his mouth still full. “My mom wants you and your mom to come over for dinner one night this week, so y’all can start makin’ plans.”

“Already?” With a lift of her brow, Emily’s pretty green eyes widened. “The wedding’s a year and a half away yet.”

“It’s never too soon to start, Ems.” Shiloh nodded, drowning her French fries in ketchup. “You have no idea how much work goes into it.”

“That’s only ‘cause you and Cassie can’t agree on nothin’.” Archer tipped his head back, and staring up at the ceiling, he sniggered.

Ignoring their friends, Billy took Emily’s hand in his. “You want our day to be perfect, don’t you, baby?”

“Course, I do, and it will be.” Her smile beaming, she kissed him on the lips. “Let me ask my mama when’s a good day. She and Grams are doin’ up a room for Arien and we might have to go to Jackson for some things.”

“Arien?” Shiloh put the ketchup down. “Who’s Arien?”

“Shoot,” Emily muttered, clapping her hand over her mouth. “It just slipped out.”

“It’s okay, babe. No one said it was a secret.”

“Okay, so spill it.” Shiloh’s gaze riveted on Emily, she reached for a soggy red French fry.

“Uncle Matty met a lady in Denver and they’re having a baby,” she all but squealed, bouncing in her seat. “The wedding’s Friday.”

“Oh…wow…wait…how come y’all are doin’ a room for her?” Shiloh asked, her face scrunched up all funny. “Won’t she be sleepin’ with your uncle?”

“The room ain’t for her, silly. It’s for her daughter.” And Emily grinned. “Arien’s seventeen. She’ll be finishing her senior year here with us.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.” His mouth falling open, Griffin tossed his shaggy blond mop and grinned along with her. “Their old man called it, didn’t he?”

“He sure did,” Billy agreed.

“The Brooks boys got themselves a girl,” Archer announced to everyone in the dining hall. Then, chuckling, he glanced over to the girls at the next table. “Sorry, ladies.”

“Sit your ass down, Griffin Archer.” Shiloh tugged on his shirt. “She’s an outsider. It will not go over well.”

“Those bitches wouldn’t take kindly to it even if she weren’t,” Emily said with a shrug.

“What if it don’t work out?” Shiloh’s question was valid, especially considering this girl knew nothing of their ways. “She might not take a liking to ‘em.”

“Are you kidding?” Emily disregarded her concern. “Arien’s gonna fall head over heels for Tanner the minute she lays eyes on him. Everybody loves Tanner.”

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