Page 64 of Stuck with the Grump

“Damn right,” I chuckled. “Now, what do you say we go finish up those burgers so the real drinking can start?”

“Sounds like a good idea,” Leigh said, grinning.

As we rejoined the group, I couldn’t help but think that I was the luckiest man in the world.

Of course, that thought only lasted as long as it took for Camille and Drew to start arguing again. Leigh was quick to join in.

“Look at what you would have been missing if you had walked away from all of this,” Tyson said as he joined me at the grill. “Life wouldn’t have been the same.”

“No, life would have been so much quieter.”

Tyson nodded, opening his beer and taking a long drink. “I’m nervous as hell to find Haley.”

“What do you think will happen when you do?”

“Best case scenario? She only threatens to use horse tranquilizer on me once.”

“I’m sure it won’t be that bad.”

Tyson shook his head. “You don’t remember Haley well then.”

“Oh, I remember her.” I grabbed a beer of my own from the cooler at my feet. “It’s going to be fine.”

“I hope so,” he said, finishing the rest of his beer.

Leigh came over and sat on top of the cooler, crossing her legs at the ankles. She smiled as she took a sip of my beer before handing it back. That smile stayed etched onto her face as she watched our friends laughing and playing games.

In that moment, with Leigh by my side, I was the happiest I had ever been. I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else.

With her, the notion of ‘home’ went from being a place, to being a person.

Leigh was my person.

And I was finally home.