Forever After All

“Fine as frog hair, my friend.” His speech is slow and a little slurred.

Rip is back in no time, sliding behind the wheel. “What are you doing over there?” he asks me.

“Riding home?”

He pats the seat next to him. “This is your spot. It’s our wedding night, after all.” He gives me a lopsided grin, and even though I know I should stay put, I find myself lifting the console yet again and sliding to the middle of the bench seat to sit next to him.

“Better,” he mumbles, placing his arm around me, and putting the truck in Drive. He expertly maneuvers us through the bumpy field with one hand. Not that I would think anything else. Rip has been driving these fields since his legs were long enough to reach the pedals.

“Are you sure?” I ask again. “I can go home. You’re going to have a full house.”

“I have the room,” he says, and leaves it at that.

I know he has the room. Laramie has sent me pictures of the house he remodeled on the family farm. It’s huge and gorgeous. I don’t know why a single man needs that much space, but then again, his house is full of family history. If I remember correctly, his great-great-grandparents built it. It was old and rundown, but you’d never know it now. Rip has restored it to be a beautiful, modern farmhouse. At least from the pictures I’ve seen. Instead of arguing with him and asking him to take me home, I ride quietly, enjoying the feel of his arm around me.

When Rip pulls up to his house, I wish it was daylight so that I could see the building. The view from the cab of his truck, with just the headlights, isn’t enough. I guess I’ll have to wait until in the morning.

“You need help inside?” Rip turns to look at Corbin in the back seat.

“You going to hold me close like that girl of yours?” Corbin sniggers. I stiffen at the mention of a girl. Laramie didn’t mention he had a girlfriend.

“Nope,” Rip replies. “My wife is the only one I’ll be holding tonight,” he teases, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“Told ya, McKenna, pussy-whipped,” Corbin says before opening the back door and falling out of the truck.

Rip smiles at me. “You would think he would learn.”

“Does this happen a lot?” I inquire.

“More than it should. Corbin’s all about the good time.”

“And you’re not?”

“Sure. I like to have a good time, but drinking to where I can’t stand or even climb out of a truck without falling on my ass doesn’t sound like a good time.”

“I’ve seen you wasted,” I tell him.

“Yeah. When I was younger. Adulting takes brain cells, and I can’t run this farm without them. Come on. Let me get his drunk ass inside.” He pushes open the door and climbs out. I scoot across the seat, ready to jump from his tall-ass truck, when his hands find my hips once again. “I’ve got you,” he says huskily.

When my feet hit the ground, I take a step back. Being this close to Rip is making my head spin. He referred to me as his wife, and although I know he was joking, I didn’t hate it. Not in the least little bit.

“Come on, James, let’s get your ass inside.”

“Wait, tonight is your wedding night. You’re finally going to go all the way with your dream girl,” he slurs.

Rip chuckles softly. I wait for him to reject the idea or call Corbin out on his claims, but neither happens. Instead, he slides his arm around Corbin’s waist and slowly walks him up the wraparound porch.

“Babe, can you grab my keys and phone?” Rip calls out.

I stand frozen. Babe. My heart flutters in my chest. Turning back to the truck, I step up on the running boards, grab his keys from the ignition, and search around for his phone. Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I use the flashlight to search on and under the seat. I don’t see it anywhere. I go to step down and lose my footing. I’m prepared to fall when two strong arms wrap around me.

“Easy, beautiful,” Rip says softly.

“S-Sorry. I couldn’t find your phone,” I tell him once my feet are planted firmly on the ground.

He pats his shorts pockets and grins. “Oops.” He smiles, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

“Here are your keys.” I hold out my shaking hand.

Rip takes the keys and then laces his fingers through mine. “You ready for bed, or do you need to wind down a little?” he asks, guiding me into the house with his hands still linked with mine.

“Uh, wh-what is everyone else doing?”

“Lara and Colby are in the spare bedroom. Corbin is passed out on the couch.” I open my mouth to say something. I’m not sure what when he beats me to it. “I was hoping we could maybe watch some TV or something?”