Page 80 of Playing it Country

“I know,” I say knowingly. “I think I’m going to go and stop by and see Rhea.”

“Want me to go with you?”

Shaking my head, I motion toward his truck. “Nah, go home to your wife and kid. I’ll let you know when I need you.”

“You promise?”

“What?”

“Do you promise to call me when you need me?”

“Yes. I already said that.”

“I know, but I want you to have what I have. That’s weird, right? Like somehow, I turned into the guy who just can’t believe he has everything he’s ever wanted.”

“Dude, no one is surprised you turned into this guy, and guess what? We’re so damn happy for you because you and Fallon are perfect for each other and you have this amazing little family.” I blow out a breath. “And yeah, I want that too someday, but I’m trying to be patient, and I need you to be patient for me too.”

Years and months span the seconds we stare at each other. “I don’t even remember her name.”

“Whose name?”

“That girl you were dating back then.” He looks up at the sky. “You gave up so fuckin’ much for me and I can’t even remember her name.”

Staring at him, I squint my eyes. “What’s going on? I already told you it was fine. Also, her name was Amelia. But what—”

“Fallon’s pregnant.” He blurts the words out and then braces his hands on his hips and looks back up at the sky before exhaling a deep breath.

“Really?” I say and I can’t keep the excitement from my voice. “Dude, that’s amazing. Holy shit!” I tackle him in a hug that has him stumbling backwards on a laugh.

“It’s crazy. We weren’t even tryin’. I mean, she was on the pill and we were gonna wait a while so it’s unexpected and—”

“And awesome,” I say, my cheeks splitting wide with happiness I feel in my soul.

“So awesome.” He looks away quickly before meeting my gaze. “I just—”

“I’m going to stop you right there,” I say as sternly as I can. “This isyou,Otto. You’re the guy who’s a big kid being the best dad around. You’re the guy who loves every single person in your world fiercely and the man who finally gets to go home to his forever girl. Don’t make our sacrifices for nothing.”

“I know but—”

“No buts. You’re already an incredible father to Briggs. You’re going to be just as amazing to that little baby you’ve made with Fallon.”

His eyes are watery and dammit if mine aren’t too.

“You gave up so much for me. I just want your dreams to come true too.”

“Dude, look around.” I wave at our trucks and the work we’ve done. “This is my dream. We built this with our own hands and we proved every single person wrong who doubted we could do it.” Lowering my voice, I stare my brother in the eyes as I say, “Seein’ you happy—that’s my dream. I’ll get mine someday. If it’s with Hannah, great. But if it’s not, I know you’ll be there to help me through.”

“I feel like I don’t deserve you,” he chokes out, and I can’t stop the rumble in my chest or the laugh that bursts free.

“You’ve literally been stuck with me since before we were born.”

“Yeah, but I could have picked someone else to be my best friend.”

“Dude.” I laugh to cover the flood of overwhelming emotion and the lump stuck in my throat. “You’re getting soft already.”

Otto wipes his hands down his face and chuckles. “I know, man. Briggs brought home this drawing he did in art class, and it’s a picture of me and Fallon and Tanner with Briggs in the middle and everyone is smiling and—”

“You bawled like a baby, didn’t you?” I tease and he nods.

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