Page 88 of Headed for Home

“Um, wow. I didn’t mean literally. Get your mind out of the gutter. It’s like peacocking. Sword fighting.”

“A dick measuring contest,” Cassidy adds.

“Exactly. Fun for us, right?” Amusement is thick in Paisley’s voice.

“Until they need medical attention.”

“Not our problem,” her cousin chirps.

“Just mine.” Cassidy doesn’t sound too upset to be hitched to my wagon.

“You claimed him. It’s your responsibility to spank him upright after he collapses.”

Which happens the instant I pitch the final bale. My knees crash into the wooden floorboards before buckling completely. I flop flat on my back, staring at the cloudless sky. Every nerve is pinched. The numbness from running on autopilot cuts off and allows pain to flood me. Spots dance in my vision. I’m panting, fighting for oxygen.

The only consolation is that Scott must be in a similar state.

Cassidy’s beautiful face appears above me, blocking out the sun. “Hey, trouble. Still ticking?”

My heart thumps triple its regular rate but going strong. I try to lift my arm to pump the air but fail. “Victory is mine.”

“Worth it?”

“That depends,” I rasp. “Are you proud of me?”

“Sure.” Her tone lacks a convincing edge.

“Am I doing better than the other guy?”

She peers over to the left, humor immediately curling her lips. “Yup.”

“Home run, beauty.”

Cassidy extends an arm and wiggles her fingers in invitation. “Need a hand?”

“Nope, change of plans. How about you eat dinner off me?” I wince when a spasm attacks my calves. “Not sure I can move.”

Iprop an elbow on the kitchen island, my focus riveted on Drake and his adoring fans in the living room. He’s sprawled on the couch while Scott occupies the loveseat. The twins sit on the floor beside my boyfriend, gazing at him in awe.

A sigh buzzes my lips. “What’re they doing in there?”

Paisley shrugs. “Bonding.”

“Didn’t the men hate each other this afternoon?”

“Guys are weird.” My cousin states that comment as a fact. “They’re probably regaling each other with tales of the great hay battle. At least they stacked the bales afterward. Great teamwork in the end. Kenzie and Charlie are hanging on every word.”

“I still can’t believe those two nincompoops did that.” My back hurts just thinking about it.

Paisley scoffs. “Seriously? Drake will do anything to win you over. Even if that involves aches and pains. You better rub him the right way later.”

“Stop it.” But the heat collecting in my lower belly confirms our thoughts are following the same path. I grab my drink to cool the rising flush. “He doesn’t have anything to prove.”

My heart melts into the consistency of mush as the twins begin doodling on Drake’s arms. They’re coloring in his tattoos while adding their own designs. The big softie reclines deeper into the cushions and lets them have their way with him. Scott mumbles something about lacking discipline.

“Just jealous,” Drake retorts. “Mac and Cheese can do no wrong.”

“Wow. He’s incredible,” Paisley breathes.

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