Page 105 of Home: Posy 5

"Did you think they’d say no?" Peri chuckled. "You guys arealwaysat each other’s houses."

"And then on Sunday, we're going to a party!" Ignoring her, he turned toward our new friends. "Are you sure you wantmethere? You can invite Wayne and Arch without me, you know."

"Of course we want you there," Sophia said with a kind smile. "Why wouldn't we? You're sweet and funny and kind."

"Iam?" He tilted his head to the left as his eyes widened, and Spring huffed out a laugh.

"Yes," we all said together, making him grin.

"So you are my friend, too?" His pretty eyes grew even wider.

"Yes, Thoreau, we are your friends." Bram smiled at him.

"Woo-hoo!" he howled and sprinted off toward the football field.

"Where's he going now?" Archer grumbled as he and Wayne came over with the Hall twins. "I asked him not to wander off."

"Dude, he's fine." Wayne's laughing eyes followed Thoreau as he ran full speed around the track. "Might need another shower after running around in this heat and humidity, but he's fine."

"How that little guy has energy left is beyond me," said one of the twins. "Big brother was trying to kill us or something today!"

"Quit your bellyaching, or Monday will be worse," said a deep, gruff voice.

I turned my head to see Jared Hall looming behind his younger brothers. He surely was a big man - on par with Emerson, Mason, and Cole - and I could definitely see him being a leader in the world of professional football.

Although I wonder what a sack is.

"Where are you guys off to?" Grace asked.

"Camping in the mountains," the twins said together.

"But you'll be back in time for the party, right?" Bram’s face grew anxious.

"Of course!"

I grinned. Did these two sayeverythingtogether?

Then Thoreau pounded up to us, his chest heaving and his shirt soaked in sweat.

"Did you get all of the ants out of your pants?" Delilah teased him.

Knowing what was coming, I put my hand over my mouth to stifle my giggles.

"Ants? What ants? I do not have any ants, and I am not wearing pants, Dellie! These are called shorts!"

Even Jared cracked a smile at that one.

"Mate!" shouted an unfamiliar voice, and we all turned to see a large, handsome man running towards us.

"Oo, Bram! Is he here for you?" Sophia squealed. "You said Smoke is restless today!"

"I don'tthinkso. I don’t smell anything unusual, but Smoke is wiggling around even more than before."

Then Delilah gasped, and we all turned toward her.

"Mmm! A nice, thick Daddy for Dellie," she purred with love-struck eyes.

Most of us flushed red, but Thoreau asked why Delilah's father was here, and Wayne and Archer shushed him by promising they'd explain later

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