Page 62 of All This Time (Blossom Peak #1)

Laney

One Month Later

Looking toward the Future

Wait, is that a…

“Here’s to making it to the Super Bowl this year!

” Rhonan shouts as our friend group in the back room at Hart Winery raises their drinks up in agreement.

It’s Fletcher’s last weekend in Blossom Peak before pre-season games start, so we decided to have a small party with everyone together before life gets very intense for the two of us.

He got back from training camp last week, so the season starts very soon.

God, those two weeks were brutal being apart. But when he finally came home to me and found me wearing nothing but his jersey, we instantly made up for lost time—over and over and over again.

Fletcher nods his head. “We’re going to do our best.” He kisses me on the cheek. “I have a new good luck charm this year, so hopefully that makes the difference.”

“Way to put all the pressure on me,” I reply sarcastically.

Dilynne tosses me a look. “He’s not wrong. You have a duty now to the Carolina Thunder. You must make sure this man is well-fed, well-rested, and well-fucked.”

Hazel walks over to our table, her drink poised at her lips. “Uh, what the hell kind of conversation did I just walk in on?” Her husband, Gage, comes up behind her, wrapping his arm around her waist.

The two of them finally set aside some time to visit Blossom Peak, primarily so she could meet Fletcher before the season officially started. Having her here has meant so much to me, especially because she knows how hard it is to fight for the ones we love.

Rhonan glares at my best friend. “I just want to say thank you for the reminder that one of my best friends is sleeping with my sister.”

Dilynne leans closer to him, smirking. “You’re welcome. He’s about to be your brother-in-law too.”

“Next summer,” I correct her because even though Fletcher was adamant about proposing quickly, I was insistent on giving us time to plan a wedding and adjust to our new lives together.

However, Fletcher decided he is only going to play for two more years, that way we can start a family sooner rather than later.

“God, I can’t wait to help plan that bachelorette party. The cutouts are gonna come out again, but elevated.”

I close my eyes. “Good God.”

Dilynne walks away, making me question her sanity for the thousandth time in our friendship, but rest assured, no matter what she has planned, I’m going to marry this man and give him as many babies as he wants because getting to watch Fletcher become a dad and love his children will be the last thread he’ll need to be completely healed from his past.

It’s only been a few weeks since Luke entered rehab, but Fletcher and he have agreed to attend counseling sessions once a week once he’s done with his program, and Fletcher has been going to therapy on his own.

After the conversation he had with my dad, his friends, and Henley, Elliot, and my brother, he’s been even more eager to heal from his childhood, and I couldn’t be prouder of him.

Fletcher is still keeping his guard up with his father, but I can tell that he’s optimistic that Luke will finally be able to turn a corner in his life. The scars that he left on him though will only fade with time.

Henley, Elliot, and Rhonan have their own issues to process now, too. I know the four of them have grown closer through all of this, but I’m proud of Fletcher being the first to show them what is possible.

Yvonne steps up to me, wrapping her arm around my neck. “So, when do I get my keys?”

“Tomorrow, like we discussed.”

“Come on. Just give them to me now.” She holds her hand out in front of her, fanning her fingers.

“Why are you so eager for these keys?”

“Keys equal power, Laney. I’m about to be the boss when you’re gone, and I feel like I’ve been training for this my entire life.”

I roll my eyes at her dramatic declaration. “I don’t know, maybe I should have asked Glenn if he would like to become my new manager.”

Yvonne glares at me. “You and I both know that if Glenn were in charge, you’d come back to chaos and glitter everywhere.”

I cringe. “God, I hate glitter. It’s the herpes of craft supplies.”

“ Exactly.” She fans her grabby hands at me again. “Just let me have the keys, that way you can sleep in tomorrow and don’t have to worry about waking up to open the salon.”

Fletcher comes up behind me, burying his face in my neck. “She does have a point. I’m sure we could find other things to do tomorrow morning if you don’t have to get up and go to work.”

Closing my eyes, I focus on the feeling of his lips moving across my skin before handing Yvonne the keys. “You’re lucky I’m addicted to this man.”

“Lucifer was alluring, and people gravitated to him for a reason. I’m just glad you finally gave into him.” Winking, she saunters off.

I let out a heavy sigh.

“You all right?” Fletcher asks me as he takes a seat on the stool next to me.

“Yeah. It’s just weird.”

He kisses my shoulder. “I know, but Yvonne loves that salon as much as you do. She’s going to do a fabulous job of running things during the season for you.”

When Fletcher and I discussed our living arrangements for the next five to six months of the season, I knew I would have to give up time at the salon to make this work.

It was difficult, but the idea of spending more time away from Fletcher was harder to imagine.

So, I asked Yvonne if she would be willing to step up and she agreed eagerly.

As much as Blossom Beauty has been my love for the past six years, my new love is now my focus, and I’m vowing to pour as much energy into my relationship as possible.

We break ground on our house next month too, so in between living in two different cities and finally sitting down to write my book, I’m already stressed just thinking about all the changes. But I’m definitely not complaining.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the past two months, it’s that the “broken” people will always be able to love harder than most. Once you’ve been in the dark, you learn to appreciate everything that shines.

I wanted this, and I’m going to appreciate every single second of the chaos.

Dilynne walks up to us again, holding her drink. “Uh, have you seen my brother?”

I glance around the room. “I feel like he was just here a second ago.”

She looks to the arched entrance to the room just as Henley walks through, holding a baby carrier in one hand and a diaper bag in the other. “Is that a baby?”

When he makes his way over to us, Dilynne prods. “Why do you have a baby? You’re aware that a baby is in that thing, right?” She points to the carrier in his hand.

Henley’s face looks pale as he sets the carrier on the table. The baby dressed in a pink outfit is sleeping soundly inside, but everyone’s eyes are locked on him. “I finally figured out why that girl Meghan has been calling me so much.”

“Who’s Meghan?” I ask.

“Shit,” Fletcher mutters beside me. “Meghan is a woman Henley slept with last year, and she’s been calling him for months.”

“Okay…” Dilynne drags out the word, not putting two and two together yet.

“Your brother thought she just wanted a repeat with him, but I’m guessing that wasn’t the reason she was calling.” Fletcher flicks his chin in the direction of the baby.

Dilynne gasps as everything clicks. “You have a daughter?”

“I—I guess I do.”

Dilynne assesses her. “How old is she?”

Henley clears his throat. “She’s three months old.”

“And where’s Meghan?” Fletcher asks.

Henley takes a deep breath. “She’s gone. She never wanted kids, so she left the baby with me.”

Our group of friends look between each other, completely shocked and at a loss for what we should say.

Henley has a kid.

Looks like the man who never wanted any responsibility is about to eat his words.

THE END