Page 104 of She Wolf

He embraces me rubbing my back like he’s always done.

“I only knew how to be brave because of you, Daddy.” I quietly admit to his chest. That makes him crush me even harder and I can feel him wiping at his eyes.

“Come on,” he sniffs. “Let’s get back to the party.” And I don’t know why, but it makes me suddenly feel even lighter.

***

With only two nights of vacation left the boys light a small bonfire so we can all congregate on the beach. We’ll have a farewell dinner tomorrow up on the deck but for tonight the one and two-seater Adirondack chairs have been pulled down and the night has been filled with laughter, light-hearted ribbing, and of course sticky s’mores. But as the flames begin to lower, so too does the noise.

All the singletons, including Jenna, have left and headed to Ripley’s, and my parents, Aunt May and Jack have gone to bed.

Gunner has me wrapped up in his arms, Chloe has her head on Rex’s shoulder and Theo has fallen asleep with Lex cuddling into him. Casey took Anna for a moonlit walk a little while ago and they’re just getting back now.

Rex jabs at the embers with a stick he’s been wielding all night.

“I know we never like to talk about it but if any of us were traded, which is highly likely over the next few years, will things stay the same?”

“Yes,” Gunner and Casey say at the same time without missing a beat. Casey continues. “Even if we have to play against each other, we’ll still end up here every summer. No doubt in my mind. This is an open invitation from this moment forward.”

And I honestly believe them.

“Even looking from the outside, you can see your bond runs deeper than playing a sport together,” Anna smiles warmly, as she takes a seat in Casey’s lap.

“I agree. You’ve got the type of friendship that lasts,” Lex adds.

“Sticks,” Anna says squeezing Lex’s arm. “Plus, no matter what, the foundation will keep you tied.”

Everyone stays silent for a while, each of us in our heads wondering what the future could look like. I know one thing for certain though—Gunner is the love of my life and if he got traded, I’d follow him anywhere. I don’t even think Jack would miss a beat until he realized he’d need to cheer on two teams.

“I can’t believe Jason is actually going to be a Wolf, it’s so crazy,” I say in awe of this incredible journey we’re all on.

“You think Casey is switched on and Knox has some pretty incredible skating but Jase he’s…” I blow out a breath. “I’d watch out if I were you, number forty-four,” I tease and nudge Gunner in the ribs for emphasis. He grabs me around the waist and pushes me down into the sand. I can feel his hard-on press into my leg. I think he’s going to kiss me but instead he ravishes my neck making me squirm and squeal.

These past two weeks have literally been the best time of my life.

Being with Gunner, surrounded by family, Jack having so much fun, and for the first time ever, I feel the best is yet to come.

***

“Goodbye surfboard. Goodbye Mr. Croc.” Jack places his hand on the plastic crocodile pool floatie and sighs. “Goodbye volleyball net.” He’s said goodbye to all the pool toys after yet another splendid day in North Carolina. We need to get on the road if we want to make headway on our journey home today, it’s almost like I want it to rain or something because it would make leaving less hard. We’re all packed up and ready to roll, only we need to wait for Jack.

“I feel bad for the kid,” Gunner pouts as he watches Jack say a final farewell to everything he has to leave behind at the beach house. It’s a sorry sight, but Mom and Dad have promised to bring him out during spring break next year.

“Come on, before you decide to buy the house next door.”

“Like I haven’t been thinking about it the whole time.” He pulls me in and gives me a squeeze.

“Rex and I have been talking about buying property out here. You and I need to discuss that more but what Casey said the other night really resonated with me. Why couldn’t this be our place? A place where we can all meet up well into retirement.”

He’s not asking, more pondering, and I think it could be a really good thing.

They’d need to get lucky with the houses that come up for sale but if there’s one thing I’ve learned being so close to them all, it’s that these boys get exactly what they ask for.

It’s almost like they’re blessed with the Midas touch, and I feel like it might have finally rubbed off on me a little.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Coralie

---