Page 19 of It Happened Back Then (Nilsson Family #3)

“ T hanks for dinner mom. Somehow it always tastes better when someone else cooks it.”

She laughs, “that’s why everyone flocks to The Luxury on nights you work.”

Mom called and asked me over for dinner and I told her only if she’s cooking. She was, so I was there. Plus, Lief and I had made plans to go out, so I figured I’d fuel up before heading to the bar. I knew we’d end up staying out late, so a home-cooked meal felt like the perfect pregame.

“Good point.” I laugh before checking my watch. “I’m heading to the bar with Lief in a couple minutes.”

“That Nilsson boy?” my dad grumbles from his chair, not looking at me.

I laugh. “Yes, that Nilsson boy. Come on, like they haven’t been our neighbors all our life.”

Dad shrugs and continues to watch the television. “Just surprised. I thought he moved.”

“He moved to his own home.” I speak slowly. “Dad, what are you talking about? You know they all still live here. They run Dress Me Up, just like their dad did. Your friend . His sister Blossom is my best friend? Why are you acting weird?”

My mom chuckles and Dad shakes his head grumbling out, “Can’t I ask a question?“

“Are you losing it in your old age honey?”

Dad rolls his eyes. “Don't drink and drive. If you need a ride, call.”

“I’ll catch a ride with Lief. I’m probably staying at Blossom’s anyway tonight.”

Dad scoffs and it stops me in my tracks. “What's that noise for?”

“Nothing.”

“Something.”

He puts down the remote and looks at me. “When are you going to find a nice girl, Bennett?”

“A nice girl?”

“You won’t meet anyone if you’re always with Blossom. She won’t let anyone get to you.”

“Oh Henry–”

“No, Maggie. The point of him going to Seattle was to get out of this small town. There's nothing here for him.”

I’m stopped in my tracks. Where is this coming from? “Nothing here for me? My entire life is here. I have an amazing job. You and mom are here. My friends. What are you talking about?”

He shakes his head again and focuses on the television, dismissing me. I look at Mom and she’s giving him the same look I am.

“Not happy I’m home, dad?”

He grunts. “I didn’t say that.”

“Go have a good time honey. Dad is just cranky.”

“I’m not cranky,” he grumbles.

She gives me a look with a raised brow and pursed lips and I laugh at her. “Mm, Cranky. ”

Just then I see lights turn into the driveway and a horn beeps. “There’s Lief, catch you guys later. Love you.”

“Love you, honey.”

I walk out the door and down the steps. It's warm tonight for spring in Montana but this is also why I love it here. The seasons. Seattle had rain all the damn time. I need sun, I need warmth, I need rain, and I need snow. The change makes me feel alive and always leaves possibilities for the day.

“Hey man, how ya doing?” I ask as I climb into Leif’s truck. I grab my seatbelt and lock it in as he pulls out.

“Not bad. Glad to be going out tonight. It’s been another long week.”

“How's the shop going? Blossom said you and Jack are going away next week for inventory?”

He nods. “We’re going a county over to check out the warehouses. It's prom season so we need to find tuxedos and suits. I’ll let January handle the dresses.” He laughs.

“Good choice.”

We drive down Main Road to the Swoops Nest Bar and park around back. Walking in through the back entrance, the place is busy.

“There are two seats at the end of the bar, want to grab them?”

“Sounds good.”

We quickly make our way over before they disappear and Cole spots us and comes right over. Cole has been a cool addition to our little group. When he and Drake moved here from Florida, they fell right into a perfect fit with our crazy bunch.

“Hey guys, what’s going on?”

“Not much. Just needed a night away. I’m telling you, having all sisters makes me weary.”

Cole and I both laugh, and then I respond, “After spending holidays with you all, I’m glad I’m an only child.” Cole bumps my fist.

“I’m with you. Now, what are we drinking?”

“Beer and a shot.”

“Same.”

Cole knocks on the bar, and a moment later is back with our drinks.

Friendship with Lief is easy. Even as kids, even though he was older than me, he never treated me like I was less.

Mr. Nilsson was a wonderful role model and really taught his kids well.

I think back to my dad and how he acted tonight.

It was strange and I don't know why he was saying things.

“So, are you ready to gain a brother?”

Lief turns to me and says, “It's actually why I’m out tonight.”

I recoil the slightest as he stares intensely at me. “Something wrong?”

“No, but I’m hoping a chat will clear some things up.”

“Uh oh, do you need me to take care of him?” I laugh and Lief looks at me with confusion until he realizes who I’m talking about.

“You’re talking about Drake, aren’t you?” he questions me.

“Yesss.” I draw the word out. “ Drake, your sister’s fiancé , is going to be your new brother. And by the sound of it, it seems you need a bit of testosterone to even things out. But tell me what you're talking about.”

“Fuck”, he says under his breath before grabbing the shot and throwing it back. He makes a face as he swallows and slams the glass on the bar a bit too loud. Cole looks over and he signals for more. “So, I don't know how to bring this up.”

“Just talk, Lief.”

“Are you in love with my sister?” He lets out a long breath as Cole drops two more shots. I do both of mine in rapid succession because I think I’m going to need it to get through this conversation.

We sit for a moment in silence. “Lief, I'm going to be honest with you. I’ve loved your sister since we were kids. Really, I’ve loved your whole family. You always welcomed me in, and I said I wanted a family just like that as my own.”

“Have you told her that?”

I turn away from him. “She knows.”

“Does she? Because she seems very unsure lately.”

“Blind woman.” I grumble. “She pushed me away. She’s always known how I’ve felt.”

“Well, I think what she thought she knew in high school changed when you went to college.

“Which she pushed me to do,” I say angrily.

“I know she did,” he concedes.

“We were going to make the long-distance thing work. Then all of a sudden, she told me there was more out there and I needed to find it. Does that sound like someone who wants me?”

He leans back and crosses his arms. “I think she didn't want you to feel forced to stay in this small town.”

“I wanted to be in this small town. Fuck, both her and my dad pushed me away. I don’t get it.”

He furrows his brows. “Your dad?”

“Yeah, he got weird around senior year.” I rub my hand over my face.

“He really started pushing me to go away to college and once I got the acceptance letter from Gourmet Academy it was like the choice wasn’t mine anymore.

” I fall silent thinking back to that time.

Dad seemed to shut down any idea I had of staying in Bluemoon and always made a comment about me exploring the world on my own.

“Maybe he just wanted you to have a bigger opportunity than what was here at the time. Bluemoon has only just expanded in the last ten years. ”

I nod, feeling bad I’m even bringing it up since Lief’s dad passed away before they could discuss college options.

Lief continues, “And to be fair, you started dating.”

“I did. And I hated it. Then I met Savannah, and well, she’s just different, Lief. I needed something, someone , separate from my life here, to keep my mind occupied. Blossom said she was happy for me. She was dating, too. I thought we could all be friends.”

“But that didn't work for you, did it?”

“No, the fuck it didn’t!” I erupt then clear my throat, working on getting control of myself. “She’d call me and talk to me about a date she’d went on as if I was one of her sisters. I hated hearing about it.”

“And I'm sure she hated seeing you with Savannah.”

With a sarcastic laugh, I think back to how she used to make fun of her. “No, she didn't like her much.”

“And why do you think that is Bennett? Come on, you're not a stupid guy.”

I take a breath. “Then why couldn’t she just say it?”

Why couldn’t she let her guard down? I don’t want to tell Lief that we’d previously had a serious relationship. He doesn’t need to know all the details but clearly, she’s been talking to him.

“I don't know why my sisters do the things they do. Hell, I don't know why any woman does the things they do.”

His tone is loaded with more than just talk of his sisters. “I know it’s been a while but whatever happened to Charlotte? When I left for college, I heard she was going to New York with you.”

He’s silent for a long while before he says, “Going to New York was the worst thing I could have done.”

“I’m sorry, man.”

I watch as he finishes off his beer and calls for another. I have a feeling we’re going to need a ride out of here tonight.

“Well, now what?” he asks.

“I haven’t a clue.” I’m afraid that if I tell Blossom what I want, like, really lay it out on the line, maybe even an ultimatum, she’ll drag my heart along again, side by side with hers, but not in it.

Hearing Lief question my love for her, means he knows something, but even if she's talking to him, it doesn’t change that she isn’t talking to me.