Page 102 of Timber's Line

“I promise to have your back. Timber was right—we saw you drowning, and we didn’t do anything. If we were truly your friends, we would have and should have intervened way before your accident. I’m sorry, man, we feel like shit about it. I want you to find happiness and love. You deserve it. From here on out, we’re here for each other. Unless we’re in the cage, then you’re on your own.”

We both laugh. I needed to hear that.

“I’m ready.” We head up to the door and Shane yanks it open before we can knock. He might be shorter than me, but man, he is scary when he wants to be.

“Dayton. Memphis.”

Memphis just smirks as we are shown to the living room. I’m not sure if I should sit until I’m told to.

“Have a seat.” Sal gestures, and I sit. I’ve never been this nervous, not even in the cage.

“You want to ask for my daughter’s hand?” Shane tips his head.

Memphis laughs. “This isn’t the Renaissance.” Sal just glares at him. I kind of relax. They’re trying to intimidate me.

“I do, sir.”

“You going to drink?”

“I might. But your other daughter told me that I can drink, just in moderation.”

“You’re not going to hurt her?” Austin pipes up.

“Not intentionally, no. But what I told this big goof is we might fight, doesn’t mean you can kick my door in and make her feel better.”

No one says anything and maybe I took it too far. Fuck.

Then they laugh.

“Welcome to the family.” Shane shakes my hand, followed by Austin.

Sal studies me for a minute and then addresses Memphis, “How far into planning are you?”

What?

“We came here. He’s on his way to pick out a ring. The others are making arrangements for flowers and a duck.”

“A duck?” Shane asks, and I actually grin.

“She said one time she wished she was a duck. I want her to have a baby duck,” I tell them.

Austin chuckles. “A duck it is.”

“Where will you live?” Shane asks.

“I know she will want to be close. I’ve started looking at the property on the other side of Mason. She will like that. It will have a pond and it’s near the woods.”

“Will have?”

“I’m going to have a manmade one dug up. I will add fish later in the season. Everyone has asked her what her dream house would be, on the sly, of course. It’s almost ready to move in.”

They are speechless again.

“You want back in the cage?” Sal asks.

“More than anything. But Timber will always come first.”

“He’s perfect,” Shane tells Memphis.