Page 10 of Seein’ Red

Nash rounds the fire, handing everyone their gift, giving me a little wink as he drops the orange bag in my lap, turned just enough so no one else can see. Warmth spreads through me, something I wish I could claim was from the fire in front of me, rather than the gift I was just given.

My phone buzzes in my back pocket, and I take a moment to reach for it, watching out of the corner of my eye as Nash slides his into his jeans. There’s no guarantee that whatever notification I just got was from him; it could just be a coincidence. Regardless, I’m like a little kid waiting on Santa wanting to know.

Nash

in case you worked up an appetite ;)

Fuck, I hate him…

I click my phone off, returning it to my pocket without bothering to reply. Because the only proper response to that is no response.

“Now that we’re all here,” Noel announces, pushing up from his stump. He raises up his water bottle, holding it high in a toast. “Let’s kick this off properly. To Dustin and Kenzie, may you enjoy a lifetime of happiness chasing falling stars.”

My throat constricts, tears welling up in my eyes at his beautiful sentiment. Noel’s never been a talker, preferring to only speak when necessary and carefully choosing his words. So it’s no surprise that he would bust out a toast that heartfelt.

“To Dustin and Kenzie,” we all echo.

“And to Noel for saying more than six words in a row out loud,” Sylvie giggles.

Noel grunts in response, and we all laugh. Now that’s the Noel we’re used to.

“To us,” Dustin continues. “All eight of us. This week is going to be insane. We all know it. Everyone in this town will try and make this wedding about them somehow, but this weekend, the next few days—this is about us. I couldn’t have asked for better friends, and I’m really thankful y’all stuck with us through everything.”

“I’m so excited for what we have planned,” Bronwyn says, waggling her eyebrows.

“You’re not going to let me in on it at all?” Kenzie asks.

“Not a chance!” I tell her.

“You’ll find out tomorrow after we drop the boys off at the Braves game,” Sylvie adds.

“I am still a bit sad I’m going to miss Dustin throwing out the first pitch.” Kenzie frowns, looping her arm around Dustin’s and leaning into him.

“Don’t worry, we’ll video it for you,” Camden says.

Kenzie mouths “thank you” to Camden, who nods you’re welcome. Sniffling, I once again push my emotions down, not letting them get the best of me. Just because my bestie is getting married doesn’t mean I need to lose control.

Neither does the fact that as I look around, I realize just how cute all my friends are coupled off. It was one thing when it was just Dustin and Kenzie. They’ve been a couple since we were kids, even though they were broken up for a few weird years.

But now it’s Sylvie and Camden too. Don’t get me wrong; I’m thrilled she finally saw what the rest of us did and let him in. They could not be a better pair.

And then there’s Noel and Bronwyn. Again, beyond excited that Noel found the woman who “cranks his tractor,” as he put it for so many years. And that Bronwyn found the family she was missing with the Kellers. I love having her in Hickory Hills and as a part of my family’s company.

What I don’t love is being the odd one out. I wasn’t lying to Mrs. Chamberlain earlier when I said that my brothers and I are all happily single. We are. I am. In moments like this, though, I think it might be nice to have someone to be cuddled against, whispering things to that the rest of the group can’t hear.

“Time to really kick off this party! Truth or dare!” Nash announces.

And then Nash opens his mouth.

“For the love, no, Nash. We’re not ruining this with Truth or Dare,” I snap.

“It’s tradition. And how are we going to start off the bachelor party without it?”

“Ever think the bachelorettes don’t want to play?”

“I think you’re hiding a secret that you’re afraid we’ll all find out.”

Oh, fuck you…