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“You hear that, Chewy Charles?” Mac says and makes the horse neigh. “We are fucking horse people.”
“Yes, of course. You did such a good job.” Mac goes in for a hug while Hattie looks in my direction. She mouths, “What the fuck?”
“Can we offer you a bruise or two?” Ryland gives off that playful smirk that he’s so good at. “We’ll take the bruises.” “Great, I can also offer you dessert. What’s between the bruises.” “Oh my God, Bower!” I shout this time, making Ryland laugh harder.
they look cute together. Like Gabby was supposed to hold her hand all along.
Aubree: I don’t understand. Different from what? Ryland: I don’t know . . . other people. Hattie: Yes, she’s different from other people because she’s her own person. Aubree: ^^^ Facts.
“Coach . . . I got called up. I’m going to the show tomorrow. Starting.” “What?” Ryland yells and leaps to his feet, stealing the phone from me. He then takes my hand and helps me up as well. “Holy fuck, man. That’s incredible. Fuck, I’m proud of you.”
I want to be there for you. I want to hold your hand. I want to capture the moment of you watching your brother play his first big league game so he can watch it over and over and see how much pride you have for him.
Gabby continues to cheer and clap while I do the same. The people around us probably think we’ve lost our mind, but we don’t care. Bennett Brinkman just got his first hit in the big leagues in his first at bat.
“What’s that?” I ask. “The ball of my first ever hit.” He turns it over, showing me his signature and the words To my sister, who made this all happen. “It’s yours, Gabby. I want you to have it.”
:')
You’re the ten percent.” “Ten percent?” Bennett asks. “Ten percent of players who make it. You’re now a part of that elite club. Hold on to it, and don’t take it for granted.”
“Let you try?” He nods. “Let me try to be the man you deserve?” Doesn’t he realize he’s already that man?
“Golly?” I ask, never in my life hearing my friend say such a thing. It almost feels like a swear word coming out of her mouth. “Yeah, golly.” She clears her throat. “Now that I’ve adjusted to the girth you just shoved into me, tell me how it happened.”
She laid the new horse throw blanket down on the floor in front of the picture and played with the Chewys, and every once in a while, she stared up at the picture and smiled at her mom.
“Got her. She’s been destroyed,” Mac says with pride, only to turn toward me, see that my eyes are open, and then clash the sword down to my neck,
“Because it’s inappropriate to eat butts.” “But Uncle Hayes said he was going to eat Aunt Hattie’s butt, and she laughed.” Jesus Christ.
Her brow forms a V. “No,” she says loudly. “You’re my best friend. I can’t get bored of you.”
“Are you good?” Gabby smirks at me and whispers, “Better than your uncle Ryland.” Mac gives me a side-eye accompanied with a smirk. “I’m better at baseball than him too.”
“Good night,” she whispers. “Dad.” My lip trembles. My hand shakes. And my eyes get misty as I say, “Night, kiddo.”
Hayes speaks softly to Hattie, holding her hand, and after a sob escapes her, she nods. Hayes scoops her up and kisses her senseless.
Ryland: Says the girl who took a picture of me with my girls. Aubree: *whispers* Hattie, he said MY GIRLS. Hattie: I know, I saw it. I inwardly squealed.
“Did you see that?” I whisper to Gabby. “See what?” she asks. “The way your brother looked at Bower.” She pauses our stride, bringing us to a stop. “He didn’t look at her.” “Uh, he did, babe.”
“You know I love you, right?” Her eyes meet mine, and she nods. “I love you, too.” “Yeah?” I ask, that lump forming again. “Of course, how could I not love you?”
“Do you like her?” “I do. I do. I do.” She cutely jumps up and down. “So if I did marry her, you would like that?” “Yes! But . . .” Her nose crinkles. “Does that mean I have to play with her brother?” I let out a laugh. “He’s a fun guy, I promise. Watch, next time you see him, he’ll play with you.”
“Raising you has been the greatest honor of my life, MacKenzie.”
“And being Uncle Dad will go down as my greatest accomplishment. Thank you for letting me be that man for you.” Tears stream down her face. “Dad,” she says. “Huh?” “Not Uncle Dad, just . . . Dad.”
