Page 70 of Playing it Country

HANK: No

CASE: Enhanced—for his and her pleasure—we gotta know!

HANK: Man you guys are annoying

OTTO: Brother it’s going to be fine. You won’t hurt Isla or the babies.

CASE: Agreed

WAYLON: Absolutely

SORREN: Agreed

HANK: …

HANK: Fuck. I was worried—am worried.

CASE: You’re going to be an amazing dad and you know your wife is going to tell you if something isn’t right.

WAYLON: Trust yourself man—we do

OTTO: You helped raise us and look how we turned out!

OTTO: (gif of a guy flexing)

SORREN: Not your strongest argument

CASE: Because we’re awesome

I lookup when Isla’s phone buzzes and watch her face light up when she reads whatever is on the screen.

“Thank you,” she whispers, and I pull her in for a hug.

“Be gentle with him. He’s big and scary but he’s also just a guy who doesn’t want anything to happen to his girl.”

She pinches my side and I yelp as I jump back.

“Stop makin’ me cry or I’ll cancel the bracelet order.” She wipes violently at her face but laughs when I rub my side. “And thank you. You’re still my favorite.”

“I’m tellin’ everybody that. Maybe I’ll get Cheyenne to put it on a shirt.” She rolls her eyes but the heaviness is gone. “Go do things with your husband I want to know absolutely nothin’ about.”

“Thanks, Case.”

“Always. And make sure you let me know if you get cravings so I can stock the fridge when you visit.”

She waves me off as she walks across the field toward their house.

“Do you wanna ride?” It’s not far but Mama would kick my ass if she knew I didn’t at least offer.

“Exercise is good for us.”

Us. Her and the babies.

“I bet you’re about to get a lot of exercise.”

She winks at me over her shoulder, and I swear there’s a spring in her step. I’m happy for her—for him—and the life they’re creating. Blinking back tears of my own, I head back inside the greenhouse and let myself get lost in the quiet for just a little while.

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