Page 111 of Need You Now

Christmas Eve and the mouthwatering scent of barbeque wafts through the air. Crisp air and pine tree scent. A thin frost of snow covers the ground. The sun, shining bright through the clouds, takes away the chill of the winter afternoon.

Seth sips his beer and roves his eyes around the sprawling backyard. The group circles the fire pit, Luke stoking the flames. It’s been an afternoon of backyard shenanigans. Corn hole, bocci ball, running Seth’s ATV across the frozen field. Laughter. Beer. Music. The best kind of day. Everyone happy. Celebrating together.

Seth can’t believe that only three years ago this wouldn’t even have been an option. Sal was gone. Luke off his fucking goddamn rocker. The Brothers Kincaid lower than low. And now—he’s got his brother, his best friend, his band back.

He can’t stop being so goddamn grateful.

But best of all, now he’s got Lacey.

He watches as Lacey exits the house, two bottles of champagne in her hands. She stops by Emmy Lou, pouring her a glass, then heads to Sal’s side. The sound of her laugh launches his heart into the sky.

Goddamn, last night ruined him.

A promise of her being in Nashville ...

It’s more than he could ever hope for.

Because he’s over the moon, he’s in. He’s finally experiencing that full-tilt, no-holds-barred, howl-at-the-moon kind of love that Luke and Sal have, and goddamn if he doesn’t want to hook that to his veins.

Now all he’s gotta do is say it. I love you. Just three little words.

How fucking hard can it be?

Apparently pretty damn hard because it’s got him shaking in his boots. He’s never been in love before. Never said it. What if he fucks it up? What if she’s not ready?

Alabama, bundled in a black puffer jacket, backs away from the roaring fire. “Good Lord, Luke. You’re gonna char us all.”

“Don’t listen to her.” Emmy Lou makes a praise Jesus motion with her hands. “More fire, Luke, I think I’m about half frozen.”

A loud bark echoes across the lawn.

Sal rises from her chair, shielding her eyes against the sun to watch Winston skirt the edge of the choppy lake, which sits fifty yards away. She turns to Luke, her pretty face worried. “He’s getting too close to the water.”

“He’s fine, darlin’,” Luke says, his amused eyes flicking to Seth.

Seth smothers a smile. Sal loves that damn dog.

“It ain’t iced over,” Jace says, taking a sip of his beer. He juggles a beanbag in his hand. He and Griff have been engaged in an epic beanbag battle for the last hour. “Not yet at least.”

Sal bites her lip. “It’s cold, though.” She takes a step forward, only to be stopped by Luke.

“You ain’t goin’ anywhere near that water,” he says, eyeing Sal. She’s off-balance with her stomach. Something that doesn’t sit well with Luke, not when she can slip and fall.

Seth slaps his hands on his jeans. “I’ll get him.” Relief fills Sal’s face. Seth’s eyes land on Lacey. “You wanna take a ride on ol’ June, princess?” Taking a chance to be alone with Lacey, he jerks his head toward the ATV.

She downs her champagne and stands, her posture haughty. Her cheeks a faint pink. “Ugh, let’s get this over with.”

A snort from Griff.

They hop onto the ATV. Seth gives her a wicked grin and then he guns it. Lacey lets out a squeal, bracing herself on the frame as he zips them down to the edge of the lake. He throws it in park. And then Lacey laughs, like some brilliant sun lighting up his world.

He grins at her. She’s as damn adventurous as he is. Her little wild streak showing itself more and more these days. Everything he’s discovering about her a better surprise than the last. “You like that?”

“I do.” She looks amazed at herself. “That is fucking fun, Seth.”

“Yeah, well, try tellin’ Luke that,” he grumbles.

His brother had been a stick in his ass all morning as he raced the ATV around the backyard. Luke worries too much. Still thinks of him as that wild, reckless kid, when all Seth wants to do is let loose and have a little fun.

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