Page 6 of With You Forever

“Yeah.”

Seth’s throat constricts. He already knows he’ll be a mess when he sees her. His wife. Walking down that aisle to him.

Two beers later, a gruff growl signals the arrival of Griff Greyson. The stocky country singer runs a broad palm down his scruffy beard as he sits beside Jace, leaning down the bar to look at Seth. “Saw your girl today.”

Seth straightens up at the mention of Lacey. “How’d it go?”

“Spendin’ too much money.” Griff grins, accepting the beer the bartender slides him. “And that’s alright. Alabama gets what she wants. I just sit back and watch.” He shrugs. “They got whiskey on the menu, so I ain’t complainin’. California does it right.”

Seth laughs, pride warming his chest. “Yeah. That’s Lacey.”

“When’s the party?” Jace asks.

“’Bout three weeks.” Griff’s tawny eyes look them over, his tattooed hands lifting a beer. “Y’all better be ready to get rowdy.”

A chorus of agreement and beers are raised.

If someone had told Seth three years ago that the Brothers Kincaid and their families would be close as kin with Griff Greyson and Alabama Forester, he’d have called bullshit. But that was then and this is now, and he’s damn proud to consider them family.

For a few long minutes there’s the quiet chaos of the bar and the jukebox switching over to Hank Williams Jr.

“Hoo boy,” Jace exhales and nods at the television hanging crooked above the bar.

Griff shakes his head, disgust on his face. “Who’s theStargot its fangs into now?”

In silence, they watch the tabloid news show skewer some newbie country singer, picking apart his past secrets like a bunch of vultures.

“Poor bastard,” Jace says, and the men stare at the TV for a long second.

Luke chuckles, but there’s no humor in it. “How ’bout you invite ’em to the weddin’, Seth?”

Seth rolls his eyes.

That’s when Luke leans over the bar, grabs the remote and changes the channel.

A round of applause sounds in the bar.

The music kicks up. Skynyrd. The men’s conversation drifts from their girls to their lives. Luke leans into Seth. “How’s the house hunt goin’?”

Seth smirks, thinking of earlier today. He and Lacey bumbling around like two fools in love. Two fools with a goddamn space problem, that’s for sure.

“Ain’t even started.” Seth smears a hand down his face, facing his brother fully. “We need a new place.”

“I got a piece of land,” Luke says, even-voiced. “You want it?”

Seth does a double take. “You ain’t serious.”

“Damn serious.” A smile cracks Luke’s face. “I got a fifteen-acre lot sittin’ a few miles from us. Ain’t sure if you’ve thought about buildin’ but ...”

Seth knows exactly what plot of land Luke’s talking about. Killer views in all directions, the property’s located up on a hill with a small rough road that drops from the hill to the river.

“Sal and I talked,” Luke says in a low voice. “Weddin’ gift.”

Seth arches a brow. “Goddamn big gift.”

“You’re my brother. My family.” Seriousness clouds Luke’s expression. “Best gift I can give you. Hell, you livin’ next to me and Sal, to Cash, best gift you can giveme.”

His chest tightening painfully, Seth sits there, choked up. The knot in his throat won’t let him loose. Boatloads of gratefulness consume him. His brother understands him like no one else in his family. It’s always been him and Luke. Since kids, Luke’s always had his back and he still has it. He wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for his brother and Sal.

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