Rough Edge (Tannen Boys 2)

Brody

If it’s one thing country folks know how to do, it’s tailgate. We’ve got trucks backed up along the grassy area Ed deems ‘the safe zone’ and we’re sitting in truck beds and camping chairs. Cooper has big earmuffs on, his eyes and smile huge even though Allyson is hovering about while Brutal keeps telling her to ‘leave him be.’ Marla took Cindy Lou for the day, so the gang’s all here.

They all came out for Erica. For me.

Because like it or not, we are one big, happy family.

Mama Louise and Janice sit talking like old friends, and I wonder what they’re up to again. But I don’t really care.

Because we’re all good.

Hell, even Reed and Manuel came. Manuel’s wife sits next to him, holding his hand and looking excited. I think she’d get behind the wheel of one of these monstrous machines if she could. Reed is alone, but I’ve seen him texting a lot lately at the shop and Manuel says he’s joined some dating sites.

I’m glad. He’s a good guy, and deserves to be happy.

We watch as Erica races again and again, winning in her bracket of gas-powered cars until she’s up for the main drag.

Keith stands. His eyes are laser-locked on Erica, tense but powerful. I get up and go stand next to him. “She’s something else.”

It’s praise for Erica, but it’s just as much for Keith. He helped her grow into the powerhouse that she is.

“She is,” he nods, agreeing. “What’re you gonna do about it?” He’s acting casual, eyes never leaving his priority, but I know the weight in the question.

“Gonna marry her one day,” I say without hesitation.

He chuckles. “If that was your asking permission for her hand, it sucked.”

“If you think I’ll be asking you, then you don’t know your daughter at all,” I tell him quietly but intensely. “We’ll know when the time’s right.”

I look back to Erica, who’s staging.

“If you don’t, I’m sure she’ll let you know.”

I chuckle, knowing he’s right.

We’re silent as the lights change and she roars away down the track. Every single time she gets the green, my heart still stutters and stops, my breath locks in my lungs, and I don’t blink until I see the red of her taillights and know she’s slowing down and safe.

“Best time of the day,” Keith says proudly.

I grunt, knowing the best time is still to come.

And when Erica pulls around, getting out with her helmet held high in celebration, I know she’s it for me. For however long I get on this Earth, I want every single moment with her, and I’m going to do my damnedest to make them amazing.

She deserves it.

I deserve it.

With everyone cheering for her loudly, Erica only has eyes for me. She runs my way, and I catch her easily, hands under her ass as her legs wrap around me and her steel-toed boots lock behind my back. “Best ever!”

Yeah, she is.