Page 147 of The Way We Play

“Ah, I’ll show you later.” I turn back to where everyone is congregated, laughing.

“My man, Cray!” Garrett goes to where Craig is loading plates, and the two of them launch into a discussion of hot music and dance moves for Thursday.

Salina Duck enters the room, glancing at me with a pouty frown. “We still have customers, you know.”

“Three orders up,” Thomas calls from the grill, and Craig quickly plates them.

Salina cuts a glance to where Rachel stands with Allie, eying her hand curiously, until my future wife catches her.

“Something you want to see?” Rachel walks over, crossing her arms so that her engagement ring is visibly prominent on her bicep. “Somethingratchet?”

Salina shakes her head, rolling her eyes. “It was a joke, Rachel. Let it go. Like Zane Bradford would ever be with anyone messy.”

Rachel’s eyes narrow, and she chews the side of her lip. “You’ve been really sweet to my brother, and I know how it feels to crush on someone as amazing as my future husband.”

That sounds better than I expected, even if she is rubbing it in a bit.

Salina’s cheeks pink, and she lifts the tray holding the three hamburgers and fries. “Whatever. Zane is clearly in love with you.”

Stepping closer, she puts her hand on the girl’s arm. “I’d like us to be friends, and maybe, I don’t know. I hear Sam Allen’s a really nice guy.”

Rachel smiles, and Salina eyes her up and down before shrugging. “You might be okay. Edward’s the coolest kid I know.”

“He really is.”

As if summoned, Eddie walks in with Kimmie right behind him, holding Smokey under his chin.

“Uncle Grizzlaaay!” Kimmie yells, breaking into a run to her uncle.

“How’s my little peanut?” He swoops her up into a hug, and she crawls around to get on his back. “Did you get your new cooter?”

Exhaling a laugh, I shake my head. He’s as bad as she is.

“Everybody loves my cooters!” She waves a hand over her head like she’s riding a bull.

Edward stands back, looking up at my brother, who smiles down at him. “You must be Eddie Nashville.” Garret reaches out to shake his hand. “I’ve heard you’re a genius.”

Eddie shakes his hand. “You’re very tall.”

“I’m going to be your new big brother.”

“You might be a giant.”

Garret nods at his shirt. “That’s a great band. Named afterDon Quixote.”

Edward’s eyes widen, and once again, my brother has made an instant best friend for life.

Rachel walks to me smiling, rising onto her toes to give me a brief kiss. I turn her back to my chest, wrapping my arm around her shoulders so I can hold her as I survey the room.

This place, this kitchen, full of family, strong as ever, unbroken, and pure gold.