I grab my keys and phone, pocketing them as I exit the truck and walk around to the other side of the truck to get Andy out of his booster seat.
After helping him down, which, thanks to his squirming, took a little longer than expected, we make our way toward the backyard. I feel like a dick for showing up to a cook-out empty-handed, but if Finn tries to give me shit, I’ll just say I brought Andy and that’s good enough.
Andy and I are halfway to the gate when a familiar voice calls out, “Hey, man.”
I look up to see Finn’s brother-in-law, Chase, walking toward us, holding his son, Liam, in his arms. Holy shit, Liam grew up. I feel like it was just yesterday that Finn was beaming after he learned he was going to be an uncle for the first time.
“Hey, Chase, good to see you.” We shake hands, and Andy clears his throat beside me. Smart-ass.
“Woah, Andy. Sorry, I almost didn’t recognize you. What, are you heading off to college soon?” Chase jokes. Fuck, it sure feels like time is going that fast. He was born, and then I blinked, and here we are. Somehow, I’ve managed to enjoy the moments in between.
“No,” Andy laughs, shaking his head. “I’m only four. I will go to kidorgarten next year.”
Chase and I both laugh at his mispronunciation.
Andy tugs on my arm, trying to pull me toward the gate again. Patience is clearly not a virtue my son was blessed with.
We continue our walk before Andy goes into meltdown mode.
“How was the move?” Chase asks, and all I can manage is a grunt. He laughs loudly. “That good, huh?”
“All that matters is we’re here.” I let out a sigh of relief. It feels like it took forever to get here, though. And there’s still plenty of unpacking left to do when we get home. And when I say plenty, I mean basically everything.
Chase slaps my back as we enter the backyard. “I know it means a lot to Finn and Kels that you’re here.” Finn’s sister is the CFO of Reynolds Contracting, and it was her suggestion that they needed to bring someone on so Finn didn’t run himself ragged.
“Well, look what the cat dragged in,” Finn shouts as he sets a plate of food near the grill. Speak of the devil.
“Uncle Finn!” Andy runs and nearly knocks Finn over with the speed he was going.
“Ahh, Andy. I’ve missed you.” Finn scoops him up and hugs him tightly.
“Jeez, way to make a guy feel like chopped liver over here,” I joke.
Finn sets Andy down and pulls me into a manly hug, slapping my back dramatically.
Two other guys I don’t recognize come up to join us.
Finn introduces me to Kyler and Zach.
“Andy, I was going to show Liam the little pond Uncle Finn has set up in the backyard. I think he just put fish in there. You want to check it out with me?” Chase asks, and I feel a sense of relief at the slight break. Does that make me a shit parent?
Andy looks up at me for permission, and I nod. I can still see him from where I stand, but my eyes move off him for a second when a little girl rushes over, and Zach scoops her up in his arms. Holy sparkling blue eyes, Batman. She is adorable, and judging by the way she buries her face in his neck, I’d bet good money she has him wrapped around her finger.
“And this crazy girl is my daughter, Emme. Don’t let the shyness fool you. I think we’re getting on to nap time.” Andy never really had that shy phase. He has a bit of his mother’s outgoing personality. “Maybe we can have a playdate one day.”
“Thanks, I’m sure Andy would like that.” I’ve known this man all of five minutes and already he’s offering playdates. No wonder Finn loves this group. They’re extremely welcoming. I feel like I’ve known them for years.
“Babies everywhere.” Finn’s brother-in-law, Kyler, laughs with a huge smile on his face. He and his wife are expecting twins soon. “Finn, when are you and Lauren going to start a family?” Ky pauses and then cringes. “Not that I need to think about my sister like that.”
“Hey, welcome to my world, man,” Zach teases, slapping Kyler on the shoulder. I really hope there isn’t going to be a quiz after all these introductions. I had trouble keeping up with how everyone is connected in the introductions. But Kyler is married to Zach’s sister, Dani. And Zach’s wife is also his sister’s best friend. It’s moments like this that I miss Courtney even more because whenever I couldn’t remember someone’s name, which was often, I was forever grateful when she would be the buffer and swoop in and introduce herself.
“Someday.” Finn glances over his shoulder. “Speaking of my girl…” He leans over to me. “Jax, there’s someone I want you to meet.”
Finn is going to be a great dad one day. He’s had plenty of practice with Andy, his nephew, and I assume Emme based on how close this group is. I follow Finn away from the guys, but loud giggles from the other side of the yard turn my attention back to where Chase is playing with Andy and Liam.