Page 38 of Regaining Integrity

Chase: And it’s bonfire season.

Me: I thought it was deer season.

Chase: Well, that too. But tonight, we’re huntin’ for a bonfire.

Me: What are you getting at?

Chase: Come out to my place tonight and enjoy some good beer, good friends, and of course, let things heat up. ??

I smile at this teasing side of him.

Me: I’ll be there. Just give me a chance to go home and change, then I’ll be out.

If friends are involved, that means no tangling of tongues, legs, or sheets, which I think is for the best … for now.

Chapter Twenty-One

Chase

Thrilled and nervous as hell, I pace from the house to the barn and back again as I wait for Angie to arrive.

When she texted me back saying she would come out, I wasn’t sure if I should go pick her up or if she would find her way here with ease. I decided it would be best to wait in case she wants to leave whenever, and I’m planning on having a few beers with Duke, Holt, and my brother.

Centennial isn’t a huge town, bigger than some, especially if you’re looking in eastern Montana, but small enough for most people to know their way around almost everywhere. If Angie grew up here like Patience and Will said she did, she would know how to get out here.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this nervous.” Patience waddles over to me with Holt’s girl, Jody, at her side. One of Patience’s hands rests on top of her swelling stomach while the other supports her lower back.

It seems like Patience is finally getting some girlfriends. It’s just a shame they had to come through us guys. Aside from Mercy, that is. Daxon and Mercy were both part and separate from our group in high school, but they couldn’t make it tonight.

“Should you even be out here? Aren’t you about ready to pop?” I fire back instead of giving in to whatever she’s trying to taunt me about.

The warm smile growing on her face makes me surge with pride. My sweet, fiery friend hasn’t had it easy, but now she’s getting everything she deserves and more with my other friend. Duke has done everything right by her.

“We’re getting closer, but I’m doing good.” Her content sigh is easy and carefree. Out of all our friends who left at the same time as me, I’m the one who came home to visit the most. I know her struggles, how life was for her while we were all off at war and living our own lives, but seeing her now, I’m overjoyed at her transformation. She isn’t the spitfire she was in high school or the withdrawn woman she was for years in her first marriage, but someone who is a mix of the old her with the scars she has healed from and about ready to bring life into this world.

“As long as you’re okay.” I pull her into a hug and kiss the top of her head while Jody stands off to the side. I don’t think she’d appreciate it if I did the same with her, considering she doesn’t know me.

I’ll be just as protective over her as I have always been of Patience. Not many women can claim that, but these two, along with Mercy and now Angie, who I feel will come to be something more to me in no time and have a piece of my heart.

“I’m good.” Patience laughs as she pushes back and links arms with Jody again. “Jody is here to help Duke out with me. You just focus on Angie.”

“You’re okay with helping handle this crazy-ass snowflake, Jody?” I chide.

The quiet woman nods and looks adoringly at my best female friend. “I’ve got her. She’s not nearly as crazy as you or Holt try to tell me she is.”

This causes us to laugh, and then I’m wedging my way between them. “Just you wait, Jody. Just you wait.”

“I’m sure I can handle whatever she has.” Jody breaks free of me with confidence, puffing out her chest. “I had to deal with a crazy sister for years.”

“Yeah, but I’m the good kind of crazy.” Patience breaks away from me now as well. “I’m tons of fun, and your sister is no fun at all. And there”—she points at the twin headlights coming up the drive—“is the woman who may be able to put up with Chase’s crazy ass. Come on, let’s leave them.” They walk and waddle off to the side-by-side they’ll be driving out to the bonfire so Patience is comfortable.

“Isn’t it too soon to say something like that?” I call to her.

“Possibly, but I have faith in you.” She throws over her shoulder. “Just don’t go around and show her all the places you took girls in high school for a quick hookup.Thatwouldn’t be wise.”

I can’t help but snort. “Like I would do something like that.”

“You now? No, you wouldn’t but the old you would have showed them off like last year’s trophy buck mounted on the wall.”

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