“She’s coming home, Ryder. She robbed you of a goodbye. Maybe she’ll answer when you call her. Maybe she won’t. But you still have connections to her. So what if the best friend won’t tell you where she’s staying. I bet she’ll tell you she’s okay. That she’s safe and how she’s enjoying her time there. Use what you have here to your advantage, and when she steps back on American soil, you fight for her.” Rushton sits back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest, clearly proud of himself.
“Not a bad idea,” Deacon speaks up. “If you still feel this way, if your heart still only knows her, then this is your best option. Use what you know about her, what you know about what she wants for her future, and yours, and combine them. Have you met the parents?” Deacon asks.
“Yeah, we’ve met each other’s families. Her parents remind me a lot of Mom and Dad.”
“Capitalize on that,” Orrin jumps in. “Go visit them. Let them know you’re waiting for her. Let her best friend know that you’re waiting for her. Word will get back to her. She might not be willing to talk to you because it hurts too much, but she will talk to them.”
“So, immerse myself in her life without her being here?” Ryder asks, a little bit of a spark in his eyes at the idea.
“Exactly.” We all sound off at once, and he laughs, shaking his head. He looks down at the bottle of Jack Daniel’s. “In the meantime, we’re getting drunk.” He takes the lid off the bottle, takes a big swig, and passes it to Archer, who does the same.
The bottle makes its way to each of us before we start talking about our camping trip that’s coming up with Dad in a couple of weeks. It’s a Kincaid tradition, and we all look forward to it every year.
“I hate leaving Palmer and Remi for the weekend,” Brooks tells us.
“Have Piper come and stay with her,” Declan suggests.
“Yeah, if my stubborn wife lets her.”
“She’s doing great, right?” I ask him. “She’s a big girl. She knows that she has support even with us out of town if she needs it. She has Piper, Mom, Kennedy, Jade, Alyssa, and let’s not forget Blake.” I smile, thinking about my niece.
“Let’s be honest here,” Deacon speaks up. “It’s not leaving them alone that’s eating at you. It’s leaving them, period. Trust me, and I know the feeling. We don’t have kids yet, but I feel the same thing about my wife.”
This is Deacon’s first year for the annual Kincaid camping trip. Since he’s married to Ramsey, he’s now included on the guys’ trip weekend.
“Agreed,” Orrin and Declan say.
“But it’s three days. It’s good to get a break. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that,” Maverick says.
“We really should consider a trip with the ladies too. Two trips a year, one just the guys, and one with the women and kids too,” Orrin says.
“Yes.” Brooks is quick to agree. “Let’s plan that while we’re on our trip. Dad can help,” Brooks says. “He’s going to want input on this.”
“Good plan.” Orrin holds out his hand. “Now pass me the bottle.”
* * *
I’m drunk.
We’re all drunk. We finished off the bottle of Jack and started on a bottle of Crown. We’re all cutting up and laughing and just being noisy drunk guys when Jade walks into the living room.
“Hey, babe.” Orrin’s eyes light up at the sight of his wife.
“Hi.” Jade laughs. “Looks like you all had a good night.” She moves into the room and bends to give Ryder a hug. He holds onto her as she whispers something into his ear.
“I think I need to call in reinforcements.” She laughs lightly as she walks to Orrin and kisses him quickly before placing her phone to her ear and stepping out of the room.
“Are we in trouble?” Deacon asks.
“Nah, they love us.” Brooks grins sloppily.
“Yeah,” Deacon agrees. “They love us.”
I don’t know how much time passes, but the next thing I know, all the ladies are here, and when I see mine, I stand on wobbly legs and make my way over to her. “Missed you, Tink,” I say, hugging her close. I bury my face in her neck, letting her scent wash over me.
“You ready to go home?” she asks.
“With you? Yes.” I nod. At least, I think I do.