Page 42 of Somehow You Knew

Dallas waves me off. “I am not. Just riding a winner’s high, is all.”

Parker comes up beside me and mumbles in my ear. “He always loses to Penn and me when he plays with Grady.”

“The man used to play professional baseball but can’t play cornhole for shit,” Dallas says, referring to our family friend, Grady Reynolds, who left earlier with his wife Scottie, which explains why Gage was recruited to play this game.

I turn to the man I haven’t seen in a few hours, checking him for injuries or a façade that he’s perfected while spending time with my brothers. But all I find is that annoying smirk plastered on his lips as he shoves his hands in his pockets. “What can I say, Spitfire? Guess your brothers don’t hate me after all.”

Penn turns to him and leans in slightly. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, man. But after today, I think it’s safe to say it won’t be horrible having you around for the next six months.” He extends his hand, and they shake.

I blink in disbelief. “So you guys are cool with this now?”

“Oh no,” Dallas interjects quickly. “I still have some concerns…”

“Of course you do,” I mumble.

“But we can talk about those later.”

My eyes shift to Gage. “Apparently we can leave now since my oldest brother has given us his blessing.”

As we turn to go, Dallas grabs me by the hand, leading me to a secluded spot by the side of the house. “Hazelnut—”

“I’m a grown woman, Dallas,” I interrupt, ready to defend myself, but my brother presses a finger to my lips, silencing me.

“I know that. Just…let me say something, okay?”

I nod, relenting to his request but crossing my arms over my chest in preparation for a battle.

“The moment you told us you were getting married, I knew something was off. My little sister, the girl who used to dress up as a bride every Halloween, wouldn’t be getting married out of the blue like this. And even though I understand why you agreed, I’m worried about how this is going to affect you long term.”

Hearing the concern in his voice, the protectiveness morphing to worry, has tears building in my eyes. “I know what I signed myself up for. I’ve had many emotions about it over the past week, but I’m managing.”

“And Gage? He’s on the same page?”

I turn back to look at the man in question. “Yeah, he is.”

“You sound disappointed about that.”

Spinning back to my brother, I say, “Believe me. There is nothing more than irritation between Gage and me regarding this situation.”

“He seems like a decent guy, Hazel.” He shrugs. “Granted, I’ve only been able to assess his cornhole skills, but...”

I chuckle. “I’m sure he is a good guy, but earlier this week he acted like marrying me was worse than getting a root canal.”

Dallas glares at him over my head. “Maybe I should put him through a few tests, then.”

I smack his chest. “Please, no. Just let me get through the next six months unscathed.”

He flashes me a sad smile. “Fine. But if at any point he treats you poorly, you tell me. Husband or not, I’ll set him straight.”

My defenses soften just a little bit. “I appreciate that.”

He pulls me into his chest. “I love you, Hazelnut.”

“Love you too.”

“Part of me is glad that Dad isn’t here to see this, though. Not sure how he’d feel about this type of marriage for his baby girl.”

One tear slips down my cheek at those words.