“I’d love that. Let’s plan something before we leave tonight.”
I’m surprised by how relaxed I feel about the two of them getting together. Maybe it’s because Adley knows about my childhood, or because I’m comfortable in our relationship. Either way, it feels good.
“Absolutely. So, tell me about your family,” Chloe says. “Linc told me you have a few brothers, but Rhett’s the only one I’ve met.”
“I do. I have four brothers.”
“Wow. That must be difficult. I have a hard time putting up with just this guy,” Chloe says, pointing at me. “I couldn’t imagine having three more.”
“It’s not too bad. They’re a little overprotective.”
“A little?” I say, grabbing my water.
Adley nudges my arm. “They’re not that bad.”
“How are they gonna handle it when they find out you’re dating Linc?”
“They’ll be fine.”
I furrow my brow. She doesn’t really believe that, does she?
“Really?”
“Yeah.” Adley looks at Chloe and then at me before repeating herself. “Yeah, they’re going to be fine. You’re practically a part of my family. My brothers love you.”
“Because they don’t know I’m dating their little sister. Trust me, once they find out, they’re going to be pissed. Especially Rhett.”
“When are you going to tell them?” Chloe asks.
“We’ve only been official for a week,” Adley tells her. “The moment hasn’t exactly presented itself.”
“That doesn’t matter.”
The more I think about it, the more pissed at myself I get. I should’ve talked to Rhett long before now. It doesn’t matter that Adley and I have only been official for a week. The longer we wait, the more pissed he’s going to be.
And her parents…shit. I don’t even know what they’re going to think. My stomach sours as I imagine sitting down to have dinner with the Allens—something I’ve done more times than I can count—and explaining to them that the man their daughter is dating can barely pay rent because he’s financially responsible for an alcoholic father and his kid sister.
Knowing the Allens, they’ll rally around me, do whatever they can to help. I don’t honestly think they’ll shun me or look at me as anything other than Rhett’s friend. But it’s still nerve-wracking.
“We’ll tell him soon. Maybe we’ll have him and Mo over for dinner or something. And then we’ll tell the rest of your family.”
“That sounds good. And Mo will make a great buffer.”
“Who’s Mo?” Chloe asks.
Adley smiles. “Rhett’s fiancée. Linc and I are both in the wedding.”
Our waitress approaches our table, her arms full. “I have food.” One by one, she sets our plates in front of us. “Does everything look right?”
“It looks perfect,” Chloe says, unwrapping her silverware.
“Delicious,” I add, my mouth already watering.
But when I look at Adley, she’s frowning at her food.
“Something wrong?” I whisper.
Her head snaps up. “Oh, no. It looks wonderful. There’s just a lot there, that’s all.”
The waitress laughs. “We don’t want you to leave hungry. Let me grab you some more water, and I’ll be right back.”
“Should we say grace?” Adley asks.
Chloe and I look at eat other at the same time and say, “Grace!”
Adley laughs and grabs her fork. “Good enough for me. Let’s eat.”
23
Lincoln
The next afternoon, Dad shoves his hands in his pockets and looks around. “So, this is The Barn, huh?”
“This is it. Except there’s usually not all the girly shit,” I say. There are purple and pink balloons and streamers everywhere. “Rose went a little overboard.”
I wait for him to make some comment about The Barn, because he hated how much time Chloe and I spent here, but he doesn’t.
“It looks great,” he says instead. “Chloe is going to love this.”
The first thing that pops into my head is You know nothing about what Chloe would or wouldn’t like, because you don’t know her. I keep my mouth shut, but it’s difficult keeping those thoughts at bay when I’ve been having them for so long. I’m going to have to work on that.
Roy catches my attention from across the room. He turns and says something to Rose and walks toward us. He’s smiling, but when he sees Dad standing next to me, that smile dies. For years, Roy took me and Chloe in whenever we needed it. Gave us a quiet shoulder to lean on, food when we were hungry, and a place to escape. Several times he’s voiced the desire to beat the shit out of my dad. I should’ve told him I was bringing Dad today, but I never got around to it.
“Roy MacElroy,” he says, holding a hand out to my father.
“Chris Bennett. Lincoln’s father.” Dad grabs Roy’s hand for a firm shake.
“I know who you are.”
There’s a bite to Roy’s words, and I can tell by the chagrined look on Dad’s face that he hasn’t missed it.
Dad releases Roy’s hand and clears his throat. “Thank you for always being there for my son. He speaks highly of you.”
Well, son of a bitch, I did not see that coming.
Obviously Roy didn’t either, because he turns to me with a cocked brow. I can tell by the look on his face that there are a million things he wants to say to my father. However, Roy may own a gym and train men to be strong, but he’s not a fighter at heart.
“You’ve got a great son. You should be proud of him. I know I am,” he says, squeezing my shoulder.
Dad concentrates on the floor for a few seconds before he looks up and nods. “I’m very proud. He’s come a long way in life—no thanks to me. If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the restroom.”
His words catch me off guard, and all I can seem to do is point toward the back of the room where the restrooms are located. Dad disappears, and Roy guides me away from the center of the room.
“Didn’t know he would be here.”
I cringe. “I should’ve told you.”
“Does Chloe know he’s going to be here?” he asks.
“Yeah, I told her last night.”
“And she’s okay with it?”
“She says she is. I guess we’ll find out.”
“Linc…” Roy runs a hand through his hair and narrows his eyes. “What the fuck is going on?”
“I don’t fuckin’ know. He’s not drinking. He got in to some old photos of us growing up and started reminiscing. He’s been different the last few times I’ve seen him.”
Roy doesn’t look convinced. “And you really think he’s making a change? After all these years? How many times has he done this?”
“I know,” I growl, blowing out a breath. The last thing I want to do right now is fight with Roy, or anyone else, about my dad. “I get it, okay? But what am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to be a better person than him and my mother if I can’t recognize when he’s making an effort?”
“First of all, you’re already a better person than either one of them ever were or will be. Second, I get it, okay? I don’t necessarily agree with it, but I get it. He’s your dad.”
Wrapping an arm around Roy’s shoulder, I pull him in. “Thank you, Roy. He might be my dad by blood, but you’re the one who shaped me into the man I am, and I swear to you I’ll never forget that.”
“Don’t go gettin’ all emotional on me now.” Roy tightens an arm around me and claps my back several times before pulling away. “Now go fetch me a beer, and don’t let Rose see ya.”
“I heard that,” Rose yells. Hands on her hips, she walks toward us. “Is that what you’ve been doing when I’m not around, sneaking beer?”
“No.” Roy scoffs and pretends to look offended, but Rose and I both seem to know he’s lying his ass off.
Rose rolls her eyes and turns to me. “His blood pressure has been high, and the doctor sa
id he needs to cut back on his salt intake and all the beer.”
“Who in their right goddamn mind would give up salt and beer at the same time?” Roy grumbles. “No one.”
“Maybe if you’d quit barking orders at all the guys and actually get out here and do some exercising yourself, you wouldn’t have to give up all the things you love.”
Roy waves his daughter off and turns toward the food table. “These boys wouldn’t know what to do if I got into the ring with them.”
Rose waits until her father is halfway across the room before turning to me. “How does it look?” she says, waving at the decorations.
“It looks great, Rose. You went above and beyond.”
She shrugs and grins. “It was nothing. I love this sort of thing.”
“Do you need some money? Like I told you before, I don’t mind helping.”
“And I told you before that we wanted to do this for Chloe.” Rose’s eyes drift over my shoulder, and she pokes me in the chest. “Now go get your father before he does something he’ll regret.”
Huh? I spin around. Dad is standing over the beer cooler, staring at it like it holds some sort of giant secret.
Shit. When I invited him, I wasn’t thinking about the fact that there would be beer here, and I sure as hell wasn’t thinking about how Dad would deal with that.
“Excuse me for a minute, Rose.”
She pats my arm. “Go.”
I’m at Dad’s side in five long strides. I mimic his stance beside the cooler and look at him. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking about there being alcohol here. I can take you home if you want.”
“No.” He turns to look at me before moving his gaze back to the beer. “Beer never was my kryptonite. Well, maybe early on it was, but it’s the hard shit I crave.”
“Dad—”
He raises his hand. “I’m okay, Lincoln. I’m not going to lie and say it isn’t hard, because it is. It’s taking every ounce of strength I have not to reach in there and pop a top. But that’s not what I want for myself or for Chloe. She deserves better than that from me, especially on a day like today.”
Resting a hand on his shoulder, I squeeze it. “Let’s go stand somewhere else.”
“That’s probably a good idea.”
We walk to the food table. I snag a handful of grapes, and Dad reaches for a cookie.
“If it’s gets to be too much, just say the word, and I’ll get you out of here.”
“Quit worrying about me for once and go enjoy the party. I’ll be fine. Is Chloe here yet?”
“I haven’t seen her. But knowing Chloe, she’s going to make some dramatically late grand entrance.”
Just then a set of arms wraps around me from behind. “You know me too well.” Chloe kisses my cheek and steps back.
“Chloe.” Dad takes a small step forward. “You look great.”
“Thanks.” Her eyes sweep over him. I imagine she’s looking for signs of intoxication, something the both of us have gotten good at spotting over the years. When she doesn’t find any, she looks to me and smiles. “Have you guys been here long?”
“Nope.” I say, popping a grape in my mouth. “Just long enough to say hi to a few people.”
“And raid the food table, I see.”
“Of course. That’s the only reason we’re here. Right, Dad?” I nudge my old man in the arm.
“Speak for yourself, Linc. The food looks good, but I’m here for Chloe.”
Chloe’s eyes widen. Her mouth opens and closes and then opens back up.
“I know you’ve got a lot of people here to spend time with you today, but if you get a second later, I’d love to sit down and catch up.” Dad manages a smile.
Chloe nods, still unable to find her words, and he continues.
“It’s just… I haven’t seen ya in a while and, well, there’s a few things I’d like to say.”
“I’m—” She stammers and looks to me for help, but she isn’t getting any. This is her thing. Her eyes shift back to our father. “I’ve been busy.”
“I know you have,” he says. “Linc told me all about graduating college. I’m real proud of you, Chloe. I always knew you’d do something great with your life.”
“You did?” she asks.
He nods. “Do you have a minute so we can talk?”
“Uh…now isn’t a good time. I need to go thank Rose and Roy for throwing me this wonderful party.”
Dad’s face falls. “I understand. Maybe later.”
“Maybe.” She touches my arm softly and disappears into the growing crowd.
“She’ll come around.”
Dad looks at me. “I’m not so sure. And I can’t say I blame her.” He takes a bite of his cookie.
24
Adley
“There you are,” Chloe says, snagging my arm as soon as I walk through the front door. “I was wondering when you were going to show up. Come with me; I want to introduce you to a few people.”
“Okay,” I laugh, allowing her to drag me through the small crowd.
“Hey, baby,” Lincoln says when I stumble past him. “I was hoping you’d get here soon. I want to introduce you to Roy.” He tries to pull me into his arms, but Chloe is having no part of it.
“Oh, no you don’t,” she says. “If you get your hands on her, I’ll never get her back. Let me have her for fifteen minutes, and then she’s all yours.”
Lincoln holds his hands up and steps back. I mouth “Sorry” as I’m pulled away.
“You have to meet my best friend, Rose. She’s Roy’s daughter. You’re going to love her.”
“Oh, uh, Chloe—”
“There she is. Rose!” she hollers.
Rose turns around, and her smile falters when she sees me. Chloe practically shoves me in front of her.
“This is Lincoln’s girlfriend, Adley. Adley, this is my best friend, Rose,” Chloe says. “Oooh, there’s Deacon. Stay here,” she says to me. “I’ll be right back.”
Chloe disappears, and I’m left standing in front of Lincoln’s ex.
“Hey,” she says.
“Hey.”
We stare at each other in an awkward silence, and then Rose blurts, “I’m really sorry about the other night. I promise you didn’t walk in on anything bad.”
“I know I didn’t. Lincoln explained the situation. How’s your ankle?”
She shrugs. “It’s fine. Just a sprain. Still sore after a long day, but nothing I can’t handle.”
“That’s good.”
“So, uh, you and Lincoln talked… Did he tell you about…”
“About the two of you?” I ask.
She nods.
“Yeah. He told me you have history.”
She nods, but it’s feeble and a little apologetic. “A tiny history. And by history, I mean that I was head over heels in love with the guy, and he never really saw me as anyone other than Roy’s daughter and his sister’s friend.”
I shift uncomfortably. It doesn’t seem right to talk to Rose about her relationship with Lincoln without him being here.
“Sorry,” she offers. “I’m not trying to make things weird. I just want you to know I’m not the type of girl to stir up trouble. I see how happy you make him, and I would never try to come between that.”
Tension drains from my shoulders. “Thank you for saying that. It means a lot to me.”
She smiles thoughtfully. “Chloe and Linc mean a lot to me, and if you’re part of their lives, I’d really like for you to be part of mine.”
It took a lot of courage for Rose to give me those words. And Lincoln may not love her the way she loves him, but he still cares for her, and I don’t want mess that up.
“I’d like that,” I tell her.
“You two played nice, I hope,” Chloe says, dragging Deacon toward us.
“Hey, Deacon,” I say, waving.
“Hey. Thanks for the food the other night. It was delicious.”
“Any time. I hope there was enough for everyone.”
“Wait. You two already know each other?” Chloe asks.
Deacon wraps his arm around her shoulders in a brotherly fashion—although the way he looks at her is anything but brotherly. “Yup.”
“Same,” Rose says. “If you’ll excuse me, I just remembered something I need to take care of.”
Rose slips away, and Chloe looks at me. “I’m guessing you’ve already met my father too?”
I nod. “The other night.”
“And…what did you think?”
Deacon tightens his arm around Chloe’s shoulders. I’m guessing if she didn’t want me talking about it in front of him, she wouldn’t have asked.
“That’s a difficult question, because I know about his past. It’s hard to look beyond that.”
“Try,” she says.
“Okay. He was nice—normal and funny.”
Chloe looks up at Deacon.
“Maybe Lincoln is right,” he says. “Maybe you should try talking to him.”
“I don’t know if I’m ready.”
I notice that with Deacon’s arm around her, Chloe looks a little more vulnerable than when she talks to Lincoln about her dad. Deacon studies Chloe and then looks at me.
“Would you give us a second?” he asks.
“Sure. I’ll just be over there.”
Lincoln said this party was going to be small, but there are tons of people here. I weave through everyone and search for Lincoln, but come up empty, so I go to the food table instead. Chris is getting a sandwich when I walk up.
“Great minds think alike,” I say, reaching around him to take a sandwich for myself.
He looks at me and smiles as he drops some potato chips on his plate. “Would you like to join me?”
“I’d love to.”
We find a small empty table off to the side, and I set my stuff down. “Would you like something to drink?”
“A beer would be great.”
My eyes widen, and he laughs.
“I’m kidding. Calm down; that was a joke. I’ll take a diet soda.”
“Not funny,” I say, giving him a pointed look. I return a minute later with two diet sodas and sit down next to him.
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