Page 17

17

Rush

If you had told me a year ago that I’d be there, about to do what I was about to do, I’d have paid for an all-expense paid trip right to the looney bin for you.

Joke’s on me, though, isn’t it, bro?

‘Cause there I was.

Stepping out onto the second deck of Snowdrift Lodge where about half my friends were sitting around a massive stone fireplace with blazing orange and red flames, blankets, and trays of stuff to make smores, a wave of disbelief blasted me, along with the frosty night air. It was chased instantly by a crack of nerves.

Being nervous was stupid, especially for a confident guy like me.

Maybe it wasn’t nervousness after all but pre-annoyance for the conversation I was about to have.

“Rush,” Lars called from the hot tub on my way by. I veered toward the bubbling water that was lit red and steaming.

“Bros.” I acknowledged Lars who was sitting plastered against Win’s side and beneath his arm. Both of them were wearing beanies. “You freezing in there?”

“Nah, it’s good as long as you keep your shoulders in the water and leave on a hat,” Lars said.

“You wanna join?” Win asked.

“Where’s Landry?” Lars asked, looking past me, expecting to see her.

“She’s inside fussing over Jess’s dress with the other girls,” I told him. Which is why I need to do this now.

“Just you, then,” Win said.

I shook my head. “Can’t. Gotta talk to Emmett.”

Lars jerked up, Win’s arm falling away and his bare shoulders definitely coming out of the water. He came forward, draping his forearms on the edge of the tub. “You’re doing it?”

I nodded. “That thing I was working on came through, so yeah.”

Lars’s light eyes widened. “I’ll help you,” he said, standing up. His skin pimpled instantly, and he shivered as his wet body met the air.

“You’re gonna freeze,” Win told him.

Lars turned back. “It’s tonight,” he hissed.

Win stood up too. “My bad, bro. Let’s do this.”

I couldn’t help but smile at both of them standing there half naked, wet, and shivering. “Do you even know what this is?” I asked Win.

“No. But you can fill me on the way.”

A wave of something knocked back the awe and disbelief I’d been imbibing earlier. “I, ah, really appreciate you guys.”

Lars flung his arms around me. They were wet and cold. “That’s what kidneys are for.”

Don’t tell him this, bros, but I got him a shirt that says Kidney across the chest for Christmas. Win was going to be pissed. I couldn’t wait.

Smiling, I returned the hug, then pushed him back toward the water. “Get back in the water. You really will freeze.”

“But what about?—”

“I already took care of it.”

Lars’s eyebrows shot up. “Already?”

I shrugged. “I’m a determined man.”

“Is that where you disappeared off to this afternoon?” Win asked.

“You should have said something. I would have helped,” Lars said.

“I know, bro. But I wanted to do it on my own, you know?”

He nodded. “So tonight?”

I blew out a breath and nodded.

Lars held out his fist. I smashed mine against it.

“You got this.”

I started away, but Lars called me back. I turned, not saying anything, and tucked my hands into the pockets of my jeans.

“Tell my sister I want to see her when you guys get back.”

“It’s gonna be late.” I warned him.

“I don’t care,” Lars said.

I smirked and glanced at Win.

“We’ll be expecting you,” he said.

“Really?” I pressed, another wave of emotion pummeling me.

“Of course.” Then Lars frowned and turned to Win. “Well, is that selfish to want to see them first, before anyone else?”

“It’s brother privilege, angel.” Win assured him, putting his hand on the top of his head to rub. Win’s eyes slid to me. “Right, Rush?”

I heard the subtle warning in Win’s tone as if I’d better not dare contradict what he just said.

As if I would.

“Duh,” I said. “Of course you’ll be the first we come see. Better not hear any complaints when I wake your ass up.”

“I’ll keep him awake,” Win vowed, a salacious smirk curling his lip.

“On that note,” I said, “I’m out.”

Leaving them to their hot tub foreplay, I crossed the deck to where Emmett was sitting near the fire with Bodhi in his lap.

“Incoming!” Jamie hollered just as something was flung right at me.

I sidestepped, and a flaming marshmallow dropped onto the deck right where I’d been standing. I gazed down at the blackened hunk of sugar as it continued to burn.

“You mind putting that out, bro?” Jamie called.

Shaking my head, I grabbed some snow off the nearby railing and smothered the scorched snack. The fire went out, leaving behind a gooey, half-blackened marshmallow covered in snow.

“You’re cleaning that up,” I told him.

“Sure, bro. Just after I finish creating the perfect s’more.”

“Obviously, it’s going well,” I quipped.

Ryan laughed and pulled a long stick from the fire to present a perfectly browned marshmallow.

Before anyone could even say anything, Jamie leaned over and ate the entire thing right off the stick.

“Bro!” Ryan chided.

Jamie’s lips fell open, and he made a sound of distress while fanning his mouth. “Hhhot!”

“Karma.”

“Somewhere, a tree is producing oxygen for you and feels ashamed,” Emmett deadpanned.

“See if I make one for you,” Jamie told him.

“Get away from the fire, Owens. You’re gonna burn the place down.”

“Oh, ye of little faith, Coach. This next one is going to be superb. Just watch. Now that I know how fast the little suckers catch on fire, I’m about to perfect my roasting game.” He grabbed a big white marshmallow off the tray and stuck it to the end of his stick.

“The first one’s for you, bro,” he told Ryan, jamming it into the flames.

“Where’s everyone else?” I wondered, basically stalling for time.

Yeah, I’m nervous. Sue me.

Good luck trying to beat my lawyer, though.

“Arsen and P are out to dinner with his gram,” Ryan said. “Max and Wes are… not here.”

“Probably boning,” Jamie announced. “And all the girls are doing girly stuff.”

“Where’s Kruger?” I asked.

“Trying to spy on the girls,” Bodhi replied. “Jess already yelled at him.”

It really was the perfect time. I stepped around the chair Emmett and Bodhi were in, and they both looked up. Awkwardness tightened my throat, so I cleared it. Then, “Can I talk to you a minute?”

“I don’t know. Can you?” Emmett replied.

“In private.”

That got his attention, and he looked up, gaze much sharper. “Landry?”

“She’s fine. Currently fawning over Jess’s gown.”

“All right.” He agreed, standing up and bringing Bodhi with him.

“ Fuck! ” Jamie yelled from the mouth of the fireplace. Another fireball hurled by, nearly smacking Bodhi.

“For Christ’s sake,” Emmett growled, plunking Bodhi onto his feet. He stalked over, pushing himself between Ryan and Jamie to smack Jamie in the back of the head.

“Ow, Coach!” Jamie whined, rubbing his head.

“Pay attention, nimrod,” Coach ordered, plucking the stick out of Jamie’s hand and snagging a fresh marshmallow to jam on the end. “Clearly, you were never a Boy Scout.”

“I was too busy swimming.” Jamie defended himself.

Emmett grunted. “Well, thank God you swim better than you do this,” he muttered. “The key to a nice brown crust on the outside with a gooey warm center is all about going low and slow,” he explained, sticking the treat into the fire.

“Don’t get it too close to the hottest part of the flame.” He went on as the rest of us stared in astonishment. “Then it will just burn too fast and you’ll be left with one black patch and the rest raw. Put it up higher, like this,” he instructed. “And rotate it. Round and round so all the sides cook evenly.”

He continued twirling the stick, and a minute or so later, he pulled a perfectly browned marshmallow from the fire. “You boys gotta learn some patience. I know, in the pool, it’s all about speed, but some things you gotta take slower.”

The only sound was the crackling and popping of the fire as the rest of us stood there staring between Emmett and his marshmallow. Finally realizing our silence, Emmett thrust the stick to Jamie, who immediately accepted it and once again housed the entire thing.

He moaned like it was a blow job, not dessert. “Coach,” Jamie broke the silence. “I never knew you were a marshmallow god .”

“Oh, fuck off,” Emmett muttered, then winced. “I can say that here because this is a family vacation and we aren’t at the pool. And I said you could all call me Emmett this week.”

We all continued to stare.

“We just had a bro-ment with Coach,” Ryan mused.

Emmett groaned. “Don’t act like I never taught you anything before. It was this or watching the house burn down while Kruger cried about his wedding getting ruined.”

“Make me another one.” Jamie thrust the stick at him again.

Bodhi slid in front of Emmett. “Make your own. The next one he makes is for me.”

“Greedy,” Jamie mourned.

Ryan took his stick. “I’ll make you one.”

“We don’t even have to get married,” Jamie implored. “It’s me and you in sickness and health forever, bro.”

“This is heartwarming, but do you mind?” I said to Coach.

He gestured for me to lead the way.

Partway inside, I turned to see Emmett trying to drag Bodhi with him. Bodhi saw me staring and glanced away.

“You too, Bodes. Let’s go.”

His shoulders loosened, and he followed.

We went into the great room where the fire was almost out save a few glowing red embers among the ash. I paced in front of the hearth, and Emmett took up residence beside the chair, crossing his arms over his chest and studying me.

God, I hoped he didn’t see my nerves.

“What’s this about, Rush?”

I was down to the wire with time and also with patience, so I came right out with it.

“I’m going to ask Landry to marry me.”

“So you keep saying,” Emmett replied, unfazed.

Planting my feet, I dug into the front pocket of my jeans and pulled out a small black velvet box. “I’m not talking about someday. I’m talking about tonight.”

Emmett’s arms fell to his sides, and he stepped forward, eyes on the black box.

Bodhi made a sound and came forward. “Holy shit, for real? Never thought I’d see the day Jason Rush went down. I’ve got to see this rock.”

I snatched the box away, holding it up out of his reach.

“I think Landry gets the right to see it before anyone else.”

“You really bought my daughter an engagement ring?” Emmett’s voice was low and even. Kinda made my stomach clench.

Never tell anyone I admitted that.

“Of course I did. It’s a quality diamond, custom set just for her. I can show you if you?—”

Emmett held up his hand. “Keep the box closed,” he said. “I agree. My daughter gets to see it first. Besides, I don’t care what kind of ring you got her.”

“You don’t?”

“No. I only care if you understand that ring means a commitment to my daughter. One that doesn’t end.”

“That’s why I’m giving it to her. So she knows I’m going to love her my whole life.”

Emmett was quiet a moment. Usually, his quiet was annoying, but now it was tense and made the back of my neck tight.

“I know you love my daughter.”

“I do,” I said plainly. “More than anyone.”

“Marriage is about a lot more than love.”

I pushed the ring back into my pocket and crossed the space between us. I might have been nervous, but I wouldn’t back down. I’d never back down when it came to my little siren.

“I know that. It’s about being there for each other no matter what. The way she was there for me when I first came to Westbrook. They way she believed in me, tried to protect me when no one else would.”

Nearby, Bodhi made a sound, and I flicked a glance in his direction. “This isn’t about you, Bodes. This is about me and Landry.”

He nodded. “I know.”

I met Emmett’s dark, unflinching stare once more. “I know we’re young, but I am committed to Landry, and that will never change. I know it won’t always be easy, but I swear I’ll always put her first and do my best to take care of her. She’ll never doubt that I’m all in with her.” I dragged in a breath. “And I’m asking you for your blessing because I respect you and your relationship with her. It would make her happy to have your approval. But…”

Emmett made an amused sound. “There’s always a but with you.”

“Because he’s an ass,” Bodhi said.

Emmett’s lips twitched.

“But,” I said, still serious. “I’m not asking your permission. This is what I want, and I’ll still ask her even if you don’t approve.”

“I really wonder what my daughter sees in you,” Emmett deadpanned.

“That’s easy,” Bodhi said, slipping up to Emmett’s side and looping his arm through his. “She sees you.”

Emmett blanched. “Seriously, Goldilocks?”

“Not like that,” he scolded. “Such an old pervert.”

Emmett growled, and Bodhi smiled. “I mean Rush is strong and loyal. He’s also a leader and a protector. Those are all qualities you have, Em. It seems natural Landry would be drawn to them.”

I didn’t bother to tell the room my dick was bigger. No point in embarrassing my future father-in-law.

What’s that, bro? You know whose is bigger because you’ve “seen” both?

Who’s the old pervert now?

“You guys going to finish college before you get married?” Coach asked.

I shrugged. “I’ll see what she wants.”

“You gonna move her to California?”

He knew that was what I planned after graduation. “You know I want to work with my dad at the Corvette executive level.”

He pursed his lips.

I rolled my eyes. “You know you plan on coming out there too so Bodes can design his underwear.”

“Lingerie,” Bodhi snapped. But then he whipped his face up toward Emmett. “You really want to go back to Cali for me?”

Emmett glanced at the blond latched to his arm, everything about him softening. “I need to work on my surfing.”

Bodhi jumped at him.

I flung my arm between them. “Uh-uh. Gross. Save it for later. I need an answer.”

Pouting, Bodhi backed off, and Emmett met my stare again.

“I’ll give you my blessing,” he said, thrusting his hand between us.

It took me a moment to realize what he’d said, and I gazed down at his offered hand. “Really?”

“Did you really think I’d say no?” he asked. “I mean, you’re a lot of things, but I never took you for stupid.”

I pushed aside his hand and hugged him.

Air punched out of his chest, and then he patted me on the back. “Never thought I’d meet anyone good enough for my baby girl. And while you aren’t…”

I made a face.

“You’re pretty close.”

I pulled back. “Thanks, Emmett. I swear I’ll give her the best life.”

“I know you will, son.”

I tried to remain neutral, you know? Like impenetrable to asking my girl’s dad for her hand in marriage, but the son took me out. True, I already had a dad. One I loved and admired. But hearing him call me that meant something to me.

“Thanks,” I said.

“Guess I’ll have to let you call me dad now,” Emmett said, and a lump formed in my throat. “But not at the pool. Don’t even think about it.”

I nodded.

We stood there awkwardly for a moment, and then he let out a grunt. “Go on, then. Go get my daughter. Next time I see her, she better blind me with that ring.”

I hugged him again. He didn’t even grumble about it. He just hugged me back.

“I’m proud of you,” he whispered in my ear.

Suddenly, my allergies were acting up.

Sniffing, I pulled back. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

I started away.

“Isn’t anyone going to ask my opinion?” Bodhi asked, stopping me in my tracks.

I turned. “I didn’t know I needed it.”

“As the official stepdaddy of your future wife?—”

I gagged.

Emmett moaned. “Dammit, Goldilocks, I told you to never say that.”

Bodhi cackled. “Can I give her away at the wedding?”

Emmett tossed him over his shoulder, his palm cracking against his ass. “Say one more word, Goldilocks. I’m two seconds away from punishing you.”

“And that’s my cue to leave,” I said, hurrying from the room.

“But I haven’t given my permission!” Bodhi yelled after me.

Another smacking sound followed by a moan chased me.

I sped up.

I did not need to be a witness to whatever kinky shit they were into.

Besides, I had a proposal to get to.