Page 18 of Playing it Country

“I still have some mix CDs.”

He chuckles. “You’re an outlier.”

“It’s been said,” I agree and then take a minute to appreciate just how much I’ve missed him. My uncle is handsome with thick brown hair that is only slightly gray at his temples. His shoulders are big enough to take up a doorway, but he’s more easygoing than not.

I’ve never known life without him. He and my Aunt Holly are high school sweethearts and have the kind of love you read about in books. The fact that he and my aunt are complete opposites only seems to make them better together.

“Your aunt said she asked you to stick around so we could go to that conference in a couple of months.”

“I told her I would.” He smiles but I hold my hands up. “If I stay I need to find an apartment to rent.”

“You know you don’t have to do that. We like having you here.”

“I know but…” I worry my bottom lip with my teeth and he laughs.

“You just want some space of your own.”

“I love visiting and staying, but if I’m here for an extended stay”—I mock shudder and he chuckles—“then I just want to get the whole experience.”

“You ready for your initiation into the chaos that is a Thayer get-together?”

“I was really hoping I could stick around here while you guys go mingle.”

“Not a chance.” He grins.

“Come on,” I whine extra for dramatic effect. “You know I hate socializing.”

“Which completely contradicts how good you are as a bartender.”

“It’s a job, not who I am.”

He stares at me but doesn’t say the thing we’re both thinking—who am I?It’s a question for a later time.

Waving my hand in front of my face I say, “We’re getting off topic. I spent the evening with most of the Thayers on Thursday night at that concert field thing. I think I should be exempt from this gathering.”

“Yeah, Flora isn’t going to take that as an excuse.” He smirks. “Also I heard you had a good time at that concert field thing.”

I lift my shoulder and nod because I’m not ashamed of dancing and laughing with a couple of good-looking guys.

“It was really fun.”

“See?” He takes a sip of coffee. “Clementine Creek isn’t so bad.”

“Technically that was Blackstone Falls.”

He waves his hand. “Practically the same thing.”

I laugh and shake my head as I move up the steps. My hand is on the doorknob when Uncle Marcus speaks again.

“Don’t write off your time here, Hannah. You might find something you didn’t know you needed.”

His remark has my stomach doing a weird dip I don’t want to think about, so I go for sass instead. “The only thing Ineedis a pair of earplugs after being traumatized by your late-night activities.”

“Brat!” my uncle bellows on a laugh as I let myself inside for a well-deserved shower.

* * *

We arrive at the Thayers’right on time, and it feels a little weird climbing out of the backseat of a car like I’m a kid again. The place is packed, but from what I know already, it’s mostly just family.

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