Page 20 of What About Us
It makes me feel better knowing my brothers have something for me to focus my attention on. Leaving the bathroom, I dress in a clean pair of joggers and pull a T-shirt over my head, then pull on some socks and plug in my phone next to the bed.
When I get downstairs, Paige is half-asleep on the couch. Finn has already set up the chessboard on the coffee table and has the TV queued up to Netflix.
“Come on, Pip. Let’s get you into bed.”
“Ok, Daddy,” she says, threading her little arms around my neck as I uncover her and lift her into my arms.
She snuggles her face into my neck and rests her head on my shoulder.
“Goodnight, sweet girl.” Finn stands and runs a hand over Paige’s hair and back. “You want a beer, Huddy? I’m going to get more wine.”
I glance down at Paige to gauge how sleepy she is and if she’ll need a bedtime story. Her eyes are already closed. So, I nod at Finn and turn to the stairs. She doesn’t stir as I make it to the bedroom and get her under the covers.
Shutting the door behind me so that it’s barely cracked, I head back downstairs to find Finn on the couch. Her wine’s refilled and there’s a beer open and waiting for me next to the chessboard.
“She asleep?”
“Yeah, didn’t even wake up when I put her down.” I scrub a hand down my face and tip back my beer. “Thanks for doing her nails for her.”
“Oh, yeah. It’s no problem. I love having you guys here. Any time I can help, just let me know.” She smiles and scoots closer so she can reach the chessboard, her thigh right up against mine. It’s oddly comforting.
I nudge her knee with mine. “Speaking of help, is there anything I can do to help at Timber Haven for the fourth?” I lean forward and move my first piece—the king pawn—two spaces, then lean back into the cushions.
She takes a sip of her wine, then sets it down, glancing over her shoulder at me. “Nope. Between me, Allie, and Skye, we’ve got it handled. Besides, you and Paige just got back into town.” She moves her king pawn one space.
I lean forward and move another piece. “You work too hard. You’ve been going nonstop since we bought the place.”
“You’re one to talk.” She scoffs, but it’s playful. “Just because I have a completely full house for the first time, doesn’t mean I need help. And I’m taking the entire weekend off for our concert.”
“But I had to persuade you,” I counter. There’s a 90s rap and country mashup band we’ve been obsessed with for years. This is the first year they’ve come to Montana in five years, and we’ve had tickets for six months.
She lets out a sardonic laugh. “You basically threatened me with my life.”
I shoot her a wry smile. “Dramatic much?”
“Pushy much?” she throws back, then grins. “It’s going to beepic.”
I move another piece on the board and lean back into the cushions. “At least show me the ropes sometime. I might be a silent partner, but knowing how shit works day-to-day could be helpful. What if you’re sick one day? I could help if I knew what to do.”
“Ok.” She taps her lip as she studies the board. “Butonlyone day. And don’t make a habit of helping.” She points a finger at me, bossy as all get-out. “I started this business so I would have something that’smine. And you came home to spend more time with Paige, not to get wrapped up helping me keep my life together,silent partner.”
“Deal.” I crack a grin at her. “Now, you ready to get your ass handed to you again?”
“You’re going down, Huddy buddy.” She moves her knight, then leans back with a smirk.
Forty-five minutes later, my sides hurt from laughing and I am still undefeated.
“I swear to God, you cheat.” She huffs and shoves my shoulder before she resets the board, and I finish off the handful of popcorn left in my bowl.
“You’re such a sore loser,” I say with a laugh and stand to clean up the bowls, two empty beer bottles, and her wine glass.
“You probably did something to the board while I was making the popcorn.” She narrows her eyes at me, and I shake my head at her.
She always does this. Promises to kick my ass, and then when she loses, accuses me of something shady. She likes to give me shit, and I love giving it back. It’s what makes us such good friends.
“I told you to take a picture of it before you went into the kitchen. It’s not my fault you trust me.”
She blows a raspberry at me, but there is no malice in it because she knows there is no way in hell I cheated.
