Page 65 of Bailey

Though Reeves struggled to find the words, Graham knew exactly what it was like. He looked from Reeves to OJ. “I imagine it’s probably a lot like how your daddy is, son,” he said. “He’s famous, and people recognize him, but at the same time, he’s just Otis Young. You know, your daddy, and your momma’s husband, and a guy out at the store to get the bananas his kids want. He doesn’t have to be—or even want to be—a country music star all the time.” He looked back to Reeves. “Is that about right?”

“Yes, sir,” he murmured. “That’s about right.”

Graham reached the end of the line and picked up a can of root beer. “Teton Mountain Man. I’ll have to look it up and see what you do.”

“It’s so great, Grandpa Graham,” OJ said as they moved away from the table. “He’s done so many videos, some about camping, and some about hiking. My favorite are the winter camping ones, and he has millions and millions of followers. Me and my uncle Luke watch him and have even done some of his recipes.”

“Is that right?” Graham grinned at him and led OJ and Laney over to a table where they could sit down and enjoy their dinner.

“He seems a little quiet about it,” Laney said, and she met Graham’s eyes before looking back at OJ. “Maybe we should let him bring it up before we ask him anything else.”

OJ looked from her to Graham, and he seemed utterly confused. That made Graham laugh, and he once again put his arm around OJ.

“You’ve been out with Harry, right, bud?” he asked.

“Yeah, of course,” OJ said. “But not when they have their secret cousin night.” He picked up his hot dog and took a bite that seemed a little bit angry.

Graham’s heartbeat accelerated. “What’s this about a secret cousin night?” he asked as nonchalantly as he could.

“Well, I’m not invited,” OJ said around his hot dog. He swallowed it, and then reached to pop the top on his Fresca. “They say I’m not quite old enough yet, but I know they all get together and have dinner and play games and all that stuff.”

“Who does?” Laney asked.

OJ looked at her. “All the older cousins. You know, Harry and Bryce and Cash and Boston.” He waved his hand like that was everyone in his huge family.

“Sure,” Laney said, and she once again looked at Graham, more nervousness in her expression than before. “I mean, Bryce is quite a bit older than you, OJ.”

“Yeah, I know.” He didn’t sound happy about it nonetheless. “They don’t invite Eric either, and it’s fine. I’m not upset by it.”

“Are you sure?” Graham asked. He looked over as Bailey sat next to her mother, and Reeves joined them on that side of the table as well. “You seem a little upset.”

OJ sighed and stabbed a butterfly-shaped noodle. “I just feel a little left out, you know? I’m old enough to go play croquet, or watch a movie, and I’m a pro at eating pizza.”

Laney giggled and said, “Of course you are, OJ.”

Graham took a bite of his hamburger, so he would have a few seconds to organize his thoughts.

“What are we talking about?” Bailey asked.

“Cousin night,” OJ said, and the words definitely carried a hint of bitterness.

Laney looked at Bailey, who looked at her mother, and Laney quickly filled her in before turning her attention back to OJ. She reached over and covered his hand with hers. “Baby, they’re all adults,” she said. “They’re dating, and getting married, and having babies…they might talk about things that won’t mean anything to you, because you’re only fourteen.”

“I’ll be fifteen soon,” he said.

“Does Rosie go?” Bailey asked.

OJ looked at her, something clouded across his face, and then he nodded. “Yeah, because she’s from the first marriage. That’s what Joey told me. Cousin night is for the kids from the first marriage, whatever that means.”

Graham met Laney’s eyes again. “It means the kids that came into your family when your daddies were married before,” he said.

“Rosie isn’t even that much older than me,” OJ said.

“It’s just a different group,” Laney said, her voice quiet. “Your family has a lot of those.”

“Maybe age doesn’t have much to do with it at all,” Bailey said simply.

OJ cut a look at Reeves, and then back to his food. “It’s fine. I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”