Page 51 of The Forever One

“Anyway, moral of the story? Do not let River cook, man. She’ll destroy your heritage.” They both nod at Ev’s words and I agree. Not to mention our chef would keel over with a pride-induced heart attack.

“Duly noted.” We drink to that before changing the subject.

“Are you nervous about the baby?” I’m curious about this. Ev and Petal are still quite young and I can’t imagine being their age and expecting.

“Not even a little, man. That kid is going to be so loved and appreciated. We’re opting for the simple life, nature-based and nurtured with love and understanding. Petal wants to homeschool just like we all were, but we’ll see. The public school in our district is pretty cool with lots of nature-based activities. They let us farmers come in and teach them how to care for plants and vegetables. I don’t know… we’ll see. If we have, like, three or four kids, then we could homeschool since they’ll be together but if this kiddo is an only child, I want him or her to have a social life, too.”

I listen to Everest and wonder what River and I would do. We haven’t talked about children much besides the casual “we’ll see” conversation. In fact, when I really think about it, she has a tendency to avoid the subject and hop onto something else.

Making a mental note to ask her about it later, I stand and walk to the cooler where the beer should be.

“Fuck, let me grab some more. Here, take the last one and I’ll bring out a few more.” Ev stands and heads for the kitchen.

“Five bucks says he passes out on the kitchen table for ten minutes.” Kai grins as he looks inside through the open back door. Ev is walking around the kitchen doing God knows what and making lots of noise doing it.

“On the table?” Why would he do that?

“Yeah, pot makes him tired but he only needs like a ten-minute nap, then he’s all good and ready for another.” Kai’s chuckling then turns serious eyes on me, his tone losing its lightness.

“I may joke about being in love with River, but I need you to know something.” Clearing his throat, he takes a deep pull from his beer before he continues. To be honest, I’m not sure what he’s going to say but I’m hoping it’s not something that’ll piss me off. The evening is going too well for me to pummel his face for disrespecting my marriage.

“Lay it all out.” I sit up, my elbows resting on my knees as I hold the neck of my beer bottle between my thighs, my eyes fixed on Kai.

“I’ve never seen her happier, even with all the shit she went through back in June. The way she looks at you? She never looked at me like that.” I’ve got a little lump forming in my throat knowing that what he’s saying to me can’t be easy.

“I’m sorry that you have to see that but I’m definitely not sorry that she’s mine.” We both nod and he sits back, relaxing.

“As long as I can keep her as my best friend, we’re all good, man.” The muscles in my shoulders loosen and I lean back on the Adirondack chair, eyeing him from across the circle.

“I don’t have a say in that. Her choices are her own, I just make sure that people who hurt her… well, can’t anymore.” His eyes widen at my admission but he tries to hide his reaction by grabbing the pretzels from the side table.

“Fair warning.” Kai is interrupted by something that sounds like a diesel engine roaring to life in the kitchen. We both turn to face the door, then each other, before laughing.

He was right. Everest is lying on the kitchen table, face down, arms hanging from the side, snoring like his lungs can’t get enough air but his nose refuses to accommodate safe passage.

“Jesus Christ, is he okay? How does Petal sleep with him snoring like that?” Thank fuck it’s not hereditary because I’d have to take drastic measures if River had that problem.

“Ear plugs.”

I nod.

“Okay, I’ve gotta piss.” Kai stands and, before heading inside, walks over to me, his hand out like an olive branch.

I stand, because peace is achieved eye to eye.

“Take care of her.” All humor is completely gone as our hands clasp and we lean in for a side hug and a clap on the shoulder.

“Until my dying breath.” I do not make my vow lightly. I will always protect River, even if it means sacrificing myself to do it.

“Good.” We stare at each other for a couple of seconds, signing a treaty with just a handshake and a nod, then we finally break apart and Kai walks away.

This truce is going to make River so incredibly happy, I can’t wait to see the smile on her face. It’s been her greatest wish, that her best friend and I find a common ground so she can feel comfortable and relaxed at family gatherings.

That said, it won’t keep me from busting his balls once in a while. After all, he’s the dumbass who let her go.

Standing, I decide to stretch my legs by taking a stroll around the property while Kai takes his piss and Ev sleeps off his joints. This area is quiet, barely any cars rolling down the street. The house isn’t on the water, but it’s close enough that I can smell the salt of the ocean. The sun hasn’t set yet even though it’s nearly eight at night, but the oranges and pinks in the sky are breathtaking.

It’s the last peaceful thought that I have as I stand under the thick branches of the willow tree. Everything after that happens in slow motion, like a movie on the slowest setting.

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