Page 136

DEKE

“Mom, keep Kels inside for me, please,” I tell her when she’s in the kitchen gathering some kind of charcuterie-style contraption she saw on some social media site. Kelsey is currently in the bathroom, and now is the time for Asa to get his lick in while she can’t interrupt.

“If I have to get the water hose and my cushions get wet, you’re both in trouble.” She doesn’t look up from her task; Mom’s head is shaking. At least we’ve learned to take it outside.

“We’ll try our hardest.” I kiss her cheek, then head out to the back patio.

Dad’s sitting at the table. Montana is inside going through a bag of something Mom picked up for her.

So, it’s just us guys. Truth be told, Asa and Montana weren’t supposed to be here.

I told him I’d like to apologize to his woman, which I did.

Asa gave her the condensed version, and it ended in a hug.

I don’t deserve her empathy, not in the least. I’m going to take it, though.

Our family needs this divided highway closed.

Yes, it was my fault. Seems only fair that it’s my responsibility to mend it.

“Asa, no blood. I’m not looking to sleep on the couch because your brother feels like this needs to be done and you’ve got no problem taking the offer he’s extended,” Dad grumbles, setting down the newspaper he was reading, pretending to be oblivious.

He and Mom have eyes in the back of their heads, a sixth sense from raising all of us crazy hellions.

“Yeah, I know. Montana would put me there, too, if I pushed it too far.” Asa is on the grass, away from the pool decking and any object that could knock me out. There’s no need to throw a broken bone or concussion into the mix.

“Can we get this over with? Kels knows what’s happening.

She’s not thrilled about it, and neither is Mom, but I’d like to have this over and done with before the girls make their way out here.

” I don’t see it coming, barely having my feet planted shoulder-width apart when I’m sucker-punched in the gut.

Fuck, I should have known Asa doesn’t fight fair, dirty little cocksucker.

I don’t back down, though, keeping my footing, refusing to hold my stomach like a teenage boy would do.

“Christ, that felt great.” Asa is shaking out his fist. I’m not so sure how his hand is feeling. The last time he and I tussled, we were younger, scrawnier, and a fuck of a lot scrappier.

“Thanks for not bruising my face,” I blow out after catching my breath, which, believe me, took way more than a minute, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.

“Who said I’m done? I’m pretty sure Kelsey doesn’t have a brother.

The shit you’ve pulled, you deserve one more.

This time, I guarantee there’ll be a mark.

” If this fucker hits me in the stomach again, there’s no way I’ll stay standing or be able to keep the food from our early breakfast down.

It sucked waking up without Kels in bed.

The only thing that made up for it was walking out to the kitchen and seeing her swaying to the beat of the music, spatula in her hand, cooking eggs, and wearing my shirt.

I’d take days like this any day of the week, nights burning us alive, mornings where the heat level is simmering and little things making it rise to the top.

“Fuck, just get it over with. This is the last time. You didn’t see Tanner and Keller whooping your ass not too long ago.” That’s the wrong thing to say. Knuckles hit my lower jaw. I’m unable to brace myself this time, and end up ass to the ground, legs propping up, arms hanging over my knees.

“What the hell, Asa Hart!” That’s Kelsey in full-on protection mode, pissed as hell, carrying a watering can. Mom clearly got a hold of her and figured we could use some cooling off.

“He thought since you didn’t have a brother, he’d step in. Little does he know Emily can do ten times worse than a couple of sucker punches.” I laugh even though it hurts.

“That’s enough. This shit is done and over with.

Deke apologized. Now you need to do the same thing, Asa.

The whole situation sucked, but it’s in the past. We could all use some good days, so please, shut this shit down.

Momma Joyce made mimosas, and no one is ruining our girl time,” Montana states.

With that, both Kelsey and Montana walk away from us.

“Think we’re outnumbered, man,” I tell him, attempting to regroup.

“No thinking about it. Our days of ruling the roost with more men than women are over. Even Jace can outnumber us like nobody’s business. We’re screwed.” Asa offers his hand, helping me up. “That’s gonna leave a mark. Maybe Kelsey will kiss it all better for you,” he says in a baby-like voice.

“Fuck off. Don’t you have a woman to annoy?” I take his hand, letting him take most of my weight. It’s the least he could do after knocking the shit out of me, twice.

“Yep, looks like they’ve got the table ready, and you know we’re driving the girls home.

Mom is going to get them shit-faced hammered, take it from me.

Don’t try to drive three hours home after it, either.

” Asa visibly shivers. Looks like we’ll be staying in Florida another night, and if Kelsey does, in fact, get sloshed, I’ll be calling Emily, begging her to open the store tomorrow.

“Fuck, it’s going to be an all-day affair, isn’t it? We never had a chance of this being a few hours.” I run my hand through my hair, thinking about everything that needs to be done early Monday morning.

“We’re Harts. We don’t exactly come in a small doses.

It’s time to settle in and enjoy the ride.

” He claps me on my shoulder. I smile at the reminder and make my way to the table, where Kels is sitting down, a smile on her face and a champagne flute in her hand that holds more champagne and maybe a drop or two of orange juice.

I’m hopeful I’ll reap some of the benefits of her booze, but something tells me she’ll be out like a light in two seconds flat the second I get her in the vehicle later today.

I wouldn’t change it, not for anything in this world.

I’ve come a long way to feel this kind of joy and contentment.

I’ll take it any way I can as long as Kelsey is with me.