Page 38 of It Happened Back Then (Nilsson Family #3)

“ T his is some real country shit right here. You wouldn’t get away with drinking on the front lawn back in Florida.”

I’m leaning against the front porch railing, sipping a beer while Cole lines up a row of shot glasses on the hood of his truck.

"I'm telling you right now," Jimmy says, "if Lief doesn't show up soon, we're starting without him. Strippers don’t wait forever."

Drake chuckles, grabbing a shot glass from the hood. “Don’t say the “S” word too loud, jokes or not. My woman will come out here and flip you to your back.”

Jack laughs. “He’s not kidding. I’ve seen her in action. Besides, this is Bluemoon. The craziest thing we could see would be a cow on Main Street."

"Nah," Jimmy says with a wink. "Not with me in charge. I’ve got plans."

Tonight is Drake’s bachelor party, and honestly, it’s the last place I want to be.

After Blossom dropped the baby bomb, I wanted to call off all responsibilities and just stay locked in the house with her. I wanted to prove to her over and over how good it’s going to be. How this is the life we planned from the beginning and how it’s really happening.

But this wedding is getting close, and she also has obligations.

We promised we would talk and get things worked out.

Clear the air on things I didn't think needed clearing up, but I will because that's what she needs from me. She needs me to tell Savannah it’s over. I never thought I had to say it, but I guess I should have known. She moved here to see me. That isn’t normal.

Me, Cole, Jack, Drake, and Drake’s friend from the delivery place, Jimmy, are all standing outside January and Drake’s home, securing rides for the night while waiting for Lief.

I laugh at them, but I’m secretly hoping Jimmy is kidding. Drake does not need to be married in a full body cast. "There he is now."

Lief pulls up to the curb of the house throwing the truck in park with a sudden stop. I furrow my brows when he jumps out quickly.

Jack starts clapping. "Finally! We’re about to get trashed on your sister’s front lawn if–”

Lief slams the truck door harder than necessary, and it makes Jack stop talking instantly. Something is wrong, and when he makes a beeline for me, I brace myself. His fists are clenched and his jaw tight.

"You asshole," Lief growls, stopping just in front of me, but I can still feel his hot breath on my face. His whole damn body radiates anger. "You got my baby sister pregnant."

I hear the hiss of the guys behind me and a few oh shits . I try to speak, but before I can get a word out, Lief shoves me with two hands to my chest, completely catching me off guard.

"Don’t even think about feeding me some sorry-ass excuse, I swear to God–"

"I’m not," I say, putting my hands up and stepping back further from him. "I'm not making excuses."

“I saw the text.“ Lief glares and steps forward again, trapping me against the porch railing, and I worry he may actually swing on me right now. "You are not done. And if you ever make her cry again, I'm gonna put you through that goddamn windshield."

Him showing up here like this, on Drake’s day, picking a fight with me before he even knows my side, is pissing me off.

I stand tall in front of him, noticing the guys are circling close, ready to pull us apart if need be.

"I'm not going anywhere, Lief. I already told you this. I'm not running. I love her."

"And what about the other one?" His voice is hard. "You tying up all your loose ends, or is my sister about to find out you’re playing house with two different women?"

"It’s over. Savannah’s done. It has been since before I came back to Bluemoon." I drag a hand through my hair, frustration and anger still getting the best of me.

Lief steps closer. "You don’t get to stand here telling me you love my sister while someone else still thinks she’s got a shot at being Mrs. Bennett Hayes."

I meet his glare. “Lief, I'm telling you. Savannah’s the type who could wreck a weekend. But Blossom? Blossom would wreck my life if she left.”

"You sure about that?"

"I’ve never been more sure of anything."

“Does she know that?”

“She should.”

“Should?”

“I’ll make sure she does. ”

Silence stretches between us. Finally, Lief huffs a bitter laugh, shoving me one more time before backing away.

"I spent the last fifteen years trying to keep my sisters safe. After my dad died, I became the man of the house, and it was my job to step up. I failed them by leaving. When I came back, I swore it would be the last time any man didn’t do the right thing by them.

” He stares me dead in my eyes. “Do you understand what I’m saying? ”

I nod once. "You won't have to come find me, Lief. I’m already here. And I'm not going anywhere."

Lief holds my stare for another long second. "You’re a good guy, Bennett. I’m glad it’s you.”

"Thanks." My voice is choked because I know that was a lot for him to admit .

Lief slaps the side of my arm before yanking me closer to him. "Good. Because if you fuck this up," he smiles wide in my face, " I won’t be the only one coming after you. Meadow’s got a sick left hook."

I laugh but know he’s one hundred percent right. "That’s what I'm afraid of."

Cole chuckles nervously. “Good to know.”

Lief glances at him. “I don’t even have to give you the big brother talk. If anything, I should warn you to leave.”

“Wow, that was some serious big bro energy.” Drake comments. “I’m glad we had our little talk in a public place.”

We all laugh, and Cole passes out a round of shots. “Now that we’ve cleared the air, can we get this party started?”

“Hell yeah!” we cheer together and down the shots. I take a breath and realize this is the start of the rest of my life.

Crazy brothers and all.