Firefly Lane (Briar County 1)

“Don’t really need it.”

“You’re getting it anyway.”

“Uh-oh,” Scott said. “I know that voice. Good luck, man.”

He helped his sister up, and the two of them went for the back door. He would definitely need that luck Scott had wished him, as Jackie got right to the point.

“Mama said she thought so, but I didn’t believe her. I figured you would have told me. I mean, I wondered if you had a thing for him—something about the two of you at movies with goats—but you’re together. I can’t believe you didn’t say anything.” She swatted his arm.

“Damn it. Why are you getting violent with me? And there’s nothing to tell.” But his assumption that his mama knew was confirmed.

“Don’t play coy with me. You’re in love with that man.”

Yeah. Yeah he was. Still, he said, “How do you know we’re not just fucking?” This was Jackie, so he felt comfortable talking to her that way.

“Because I know you.”

“I’ve done plenty of hooking up, sis.”

“Yeah, but I still know you. I see the look in your eyes. Can hear it in the sound of your voice. You love him.”

They stopped, and he leaned against the wall, making sure they were alone. “I’m so fucked,” he admitted.

“Why? This is a good thing. I don’t know Holden well, but he looks crazy about you. I saw him watching you earlier. Scott noticed too.”

Roe’s pulse kicked up a notch. “Yeah?” he asked, never feeling as unsure as he did in that moment, then added, “Wait. No. Stop. He’s leavin’. He knows I feel something for him, and he cares about me too, but he has a life in Atlanta. I’d be smart to remember that.”

Jackie opened her mouth to respond just as Wyatt burst through the back door. “Dad, I’m starving. Is it time to eat?” Sean was right behind him, followed by Dennis’s daughters, all red-faced and breathing heavily.

“It is. Your aunt and I were just coming to get you.”

The rest of the kids came running into the house then, and Jackie said, “If I didn’t know better, I’d say you planned that.”

“Divine intervention.” He smirked and walked away.

Dinner was just as loud as the rest of the afternoon had been. They had a second table set up against one end of the original one, so it was longer and they could all fit. His mom had made a few pans of lasagna, Roe assumed because it went a long way and there were a lot of them. Holden sat on one side of him, Lindsey on the other. Marilee and Sean were across from them, with Wyatt beside Sean.

When Roe’s dad started prayer, everyone closed their eyes, but Roe risked a sideways glance at Holden. Their eyes met, and damned if Roe didn’t have to fight back the urge to reach out and cup Holden’s cheek.

“Amen,” sounded from around the table, making Roe force himself to pull his attention from Holden.

They didn’t do much farm talk because his mom had never liked that at family dinner. Wyatt told them about his trip, and his cousins chatted about things going on in their lives. His family engaged well with Sean, Marilee, and Holden, which wasn’t a surprise to Roe. They were good at that, and being friendly with that Southern charm.

Halfway through dinner Roe noticed his niece watching him. He grinned at her, and she said, “Uncle Roe, you gonna marry Holden like Mommy and Daddy are married? What about Aunt Lindsey?”

Everyone went silent around them, Roe’s heart racing as he tried to figure out how to respond.

Jackie touched Shae’s hand. “Sweetie, Uncle Roe and Aunt Lindsey are just best friends, remember?”

“Is that why Uncle Roe can kiss Holden? I saw them when they was workin’ one day.”

Oh fuck. Roe opened his mouth, but Sean beat him to it.

“You’re with Roe? So you really are gonna stay? I thought maybe you wouldn’t come back, but if you and Roe are together, then I know you will!” Sean said, a world of hope in his voice.

Wait. Staying? Roe turned to Holden. “You’re staying?” And he hadn’t told Roe?

“You guys are together? What about Mom?” There was a noticeable quaver in Wyatt’s raised tone. “Is that why he moved in with you? You lied?”

Everything else faded to the background then, except the pain in his son’s voice. The pain there broke Roe’s heart. “Hey, no. I didn’t lie to you, buddy. That’s not why they moved in. That part’s not permanent. I wouldn’t do that without talking to you first. But yes…Holden is very special to me. That doesn’t change anything about how I feel about you or your mom.” Christ, this so wasn’t how Roe had planned to do this. He already saw Wyatt’s eyes filling with tears, could see the devastation on the face of the boy he never wanted to hurt.