Deal Breakers (Dealing with Love 1)

“Sweet!” he says. “You get started on the corn and I’ll take care of the ribs.”

She busies herself digging through the fridge. “I’m on it.”

“Rainey—” I start to say.

She holds her hand up. “Not now, Dev. Drew and I have to feed the natives before they get restless. We’ll talk later.”

“This conversation isn’t over,” I warn.

She does an exaggerated eye roll. “Trust me; I know I’m not that lucky.”

Lorraine and Drew cook while Brody finishes assembling the patio furniture. I smile when I see Riley and Nathan coming out to join us on the deck.

Nathan holds out a miniature model of a jet. “Mom, look what Daddy gave me! He said I can make planes just like he does when I grow up if I wanna!”

“He doesn’t make them,” Drew mutters. “He draws pictures of them.”

Riley laughs. “Aircraft design is a little more involved than that, dude.”

Drew rolls his eyes. “Whatever.” He crouches down to Nate’s level. “I thought you said you want to be a big strong fireman like your Uncle Drew when you grow up?” He flexes his ridiculously large biceps for emphasis.

Nathan mirrors the move. “I can be a big, strong fireman and make planes!”

Riley laughs and ruffles his hair. “You sure can, bud.”

Nathan beams. “See Unca’ Drew? Daddy says I can!”

Drew stands up and resumes his position at the grill. “Well, if Daddy says it, then it must be true,” he says dryly.

I smack Drew’s chest. “Behave.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Drew mutters.

The six of us spend the rest of the evening eating, drinking, and sharing plenty of laughter. I smile to myself as I look around. I’m so lucky to have these people in my life. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I keep a close eye on Lorraine and Brody but they’re careful not to slip up again. I find myself wondering once again what is going on between those two. Lorraine is certainly open to exploring her sexuality but she doesn’t take sex lightly. She says they’re just scratching an itch but it’s so out of character for her that I have trouble believing that. Why Brody? Why now? She’s seen him go through a string of meaningless hookups. Why would she want to get involved with someone like that?

I catch Riley’s eye and bite my lip when I realize that he behaved exactly like Brody back in the day. And now look at him. You know that saying that the right person can make anyone change their ways? It took us far too long to figure it out but I’ve learned that it’s certainly true. At least for me and Riley. I don’t know what’s going on with Rainey and Brody—I just hope that she doesn’t get hurt. Things might get a little awkward between me and Riley if I have to remove his best friend’s testicles.

Drew sits at the end of my lounger and nods to Riley. “Are you sure about moving in with this schmuck?”

I roll my eyes and laugh. “I’m positive, Drew.”

He pouts. “I’m going to miss you guys.”

I slide down the chair and pull him into a side hug. “We’re going to miss you too. You’re always welcome here, you know.”

He hugs me tighter. “I’m holding you to that.”

RILEY

NATHAN IS ASLEEP AND everyone but Rainey has gone home. I keep fingering the ring box that’s been burning a hole in my pocket, thinking about what I want to say to her. I need to make this perfect.

Devyn walks Rainey to the door. “I mean it, Lorraine. We’re having a long talk tomorrow.”

“Yes, mother,” Rainey replies. “Goodnight.”

“Night.” After locking up, Devyn turns around and surveys the room. “Man, we’ll be unpacking these boxes for a while.”

I clear my throat nervously. “Uh…yeah. Lots of boxes.”