Page 85 of Spur of the Moment
Callan popped in between them. “Guys, guys. We both know Lennon’s just salty that Beck is leaving soon.”
My eyes flew to Beck. “When?” I didn’t know he was leaving, especially soon.
His expression softened. “Couple days.”
Bailey’s hand rubbed circles idly on my back, but it did little to soothe the sadness that crept in. I hated when Beck went back on the circuit. I wanted him here to know he was safe and not breaking his spine in half being thrown off a bronc. I can guess that’s why no one wanted me to leave Bell Buckle in the first place, minus the bronc stuff. They just wanted to know I was safe and I should have never punished them for caring about me by disappearing.
Callan’s gaze landed on me, seeing the shift in my demeanor. “C’mon, Lettie, let’s not think about it. Let’s enjoy the day and celebrate you.”
I nodded as Beck said, “Yeah, no getting all sappy about me leaving. I’ll be back before you know it, and I can promise it won’t be five years.” He winked at me.
Lennon landed a soft punch on Beck’s arm as Callan turned to head into the kitchen. Brandy came in the front door behind me, and I made room for her beside me as we got lost in conversation with my brothers and Bailey.
It was a tradition of ours to have cake before the main food on birthdays. Afterall, eating the sweets was part of the celebration, not the savory food. My mom lit candles on the cake, and Reed picked it up, bringing it over to me as everyone sang “Happy Birthday.” Once they were done with their off-pitched harmony, I blew the flames out.
I blinked, and suddenly my entire face felt wet.No, not wet.Reed threw the goddamn cake in my face.
Everyone burst into laughter as I wiped the cake from my eyes and nose. “Did you really think you got away from our pranks?” Reed said through his fit of laughter.
“No. Just thought maybe I could get a break on my birthday,” I griped.
Someone handed me napkins, and I rubbed the frosting from my face as best I could. I caught Bailey smirking as he watched me clean myself off. “I made a second cake just for this.”
“Thank God because I really wanted a slice,” Callan said from the kitchen where he was getting plates out of the cabinet.
“Bailey Cooper, that is no way to treat a lady,” Bailey’s mom exclaimed.
He waved her off. “She’s used to it, Mom.”
The deep rumble of my dad and Bailey’s dad’s chuckle filled the room. Our mothers pointed glares at them, and they both said, “What?”
“Don’t you remember when I’d prank you back in the day, honey?” Eddie asked.
Debby shot glares at him. “All too well.”
I hiked my thumb over my shoulder. “I’m going to go shower.”
Bailey leaned down, muttering, “Want me to come with?”
I frowned. “You need to clean up this mess.”
He straightened. “This istechnicallyReed’s mess.”
“Then you can help him,” I said sweetly before turning and heading down the hall for the bathroom.
I never minded the jokes they played on me, but they did it to get a reaction. Whatever it was, they were always the ones to clean it up. Just because Bailey and I were together now didn’t mean I was going to let that part slide - as much as I did want him to join me in the shower.
43
Lettie
After cake and a few gifts, we’d all moved to the back porch to eat our official dinner. Who didn’t eat cake as an appetizer on their birthday?
“The barn is looking really good,” my dad said from the end of the table.
Bailey grabbed his fork, stabbing at his potato salad before saying, “I can’t take the credit. Lettie’s been doing all the hard work.”
“Not true. Bailey’s been doing twice the amount of work as me.” Though I’d been getting a lot done to help, my energy drained so fast working in the heat. Most days, before afternoon even hit, I was finding some task I could do sitting down in the shade.
