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“I’m never late.”
“There’s always a first time.” He gave her ass a playful spank. “Go on now.”
“Okay, okay. I’m going.”
They were all in the living room waiting on Arien. Dressed in his best blue jeans and a white button-up, Kellan had his head tipped back on the sofa, staring up at the ceiling. Fidgeting in her seat, Jennifer went from rubbing her belly to pressing a hand at the small of her back.
“I got you, Mama.” His dad took over. “You sure you feel up to goin’? Arien would understand if you didn’t.”
“I’m fine. Can’t miss seeing my baby graduate. It only happens once.” Choking up on her words, Tanner handed her a tissue. “Thank you, honey,” she said, dabbing at her tired blue eyes.
“We could FaceTime you and—”
“Nope, I need to be there.” Shaking her blonde waves, she held her hand to her chest. “I’m so proud of her. You know, that blog of hers is starting to take off.”
“Yeah?” Like he didn’t already know, Tanner grinned.
“Uh-huh.” Jennifer nodded. “She got monetized. Her little school project has ten thousand subscribers on YouTube already.”
“I didn’t know that.” Kellan’s head shot up, glaring at him. “Why didn’t I know that?”
Maybe ’cause you’ve hardly talked to her in five days, dickhead.
She came down the stairs in a pretty little dress and cowboy boots, carrying her cap in her hand, the gown draped over her arm.
Smirking at his brother, he winked. “That’s our girl.”
The ride into town was quiet. She sat in the middle of them in the back of the dually, yet neither Arien nor his brother spoke. They didn’t look at each other, Kellan staring out the window while she looked straight ahead. But Tanner saw his hand reach for hers. He interlaced their fingers, and she let him.
Standing room only.
In true Brookside fashion, everyone turned out to see the latest class of graduates—all thirty of them—walk across the stage in their burgundy caps and gowns to receive their diplomas. This place wasn’t just a town. Folks here weren’t just neighbors. It was a true community, an extended family, that took as much pride in its future as it valued its history.
He and Kellan whooped and whistled as Arien’s name was called. Jennifer, proud mama that she was, got all emotional, blubbering away through the entire thing. And for that matter, so did Aunt Kim. Matthew had an arm around his sister and his wife, consoling them.
They were still sniffling at the reception afterward.
Tanner and his brother stood back where most of the men were, next to the punch table, drinking the adult version out of clear plastic cups. They looked on while Arien took pictures with their cousin and her friends.
“How’s my two favorite grandsons?”
“We’re your only grandsons.” Kellan smirked, slapping their grandfather on the back.
“So?” With a chuckle, he punched him in the arm. “Still my favorites.”
“Hiya, Pops.” Tanner passed him a cup of punch. “We’re good. Everything’s good.”
“Glad to hear it, boy.” He grinned, showing his teeth, and guzzled it down in one swallow. “So, when’s the weddin’? I ain’t heard no announcement yet.”
“Uh.” Tanner traded a look with his brother. John Jacoby wasn’t a man to reckon with. He couldn’t outright lie, so he’d just have to skirt around the truth. “Still workin’ that out, Pops.”
“Been holdin’ off with the new baby comin’ and all, but we’re thinkin’ September maybe,” Kellan added for good measure. He had no trouble lying, evidently.
“Good, good,” he said, glancing at their stepmother. “I gotta get me a slice of Maizie’s cake. If I don’t catch you before, I’ll see you boys at the Archer weddin’ next weekend. Pass on my congratulations to Arien, will ya?”
“You and Maizie’s cake.” Tanner sniggered. “We’ll be sure to do that, Pops.”
They waved as their grandfather moved along. Keeping his voice low, Kellan yanked on his arm as soon as the old man was out of earshot. “Has Arien been sayin’ anything?”
