Page 15 of Playing it Country

“Uncle Case!”

“What’s up, dude? Are you ready for a fun night?”

“Yes!” He fist pumps as Fallon walks up the porch steps and drops his bag inside and kisses me on the cheek.

“Thanks, Case.”

“Always.”

“Hey, what’s that?” Otto asks as he spies the bag and his gaze volleys from Fallon to me.

“You’re going to let me spend time with my nephew. Now git.”

“Yeah, git,” Briggs says as Otto’s eyes widen and Fallon snickers.

Lowering my voice, I say, “You can’t say that.”

His brows furrow and my brother pouts. Fallon rubs his back but fails miserably at holding back her smile.

“How come you can?” Briggs asks and I school my expression the best I can.

“Because he’s my brother and I’m teasing him. When you say it, it makes him feel bad because he loves you and wants to spend time with you.”

Briggs mulls this over before looking around at us. “Cause he’s your brother?” I nod hesitantly as he turns to his mother. “Can I have a brother?”

I choke on a laugh, Fallon’s mouth opens and closes a couple of times, and Otto’s expression is wicked as he says, “Not if we keep standing here.”

“Go give your Mama a kiss,” I say and then move to hug my brother. “Go have fun with your girl. I raised us just fine.” He snorts and squeezes me tight before stepping back.

“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.” We exchange a grin, but deep down under all his new-dad crazy, he knows I’ll take care of Briggs.

Moving over, I hug Fallon and then look at the clock on the wall. “Ten minutes. This might be a new record.”

“Don’t jinx us,” she whisper hisses, and Otto looks at us accusingly.

“I’m notthatbad.”

Fallon says, “Of course not,” at the same time I say, “You’re worse.”

Grabbing his hand, she kisses his cheek and then steers him outside with a parting wave and a kiss blown to her son. When the door finally closes, Briggs turns to me and beams.

“Can we have pizza?”

“Yes.”

“A movie?”

“Totally.”

“Build a fort?”

“It’s a given.”

“Ice Cream?”

“Got your favorite.”

He fist pumps the air and runs into the living room where I’ve already stacked every available blanket and sheet for fort construction. I chuckle and follow him as the front door opens.

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