“We need help,” Corbin says. This conversation couldn’t have played into his hand better if he tried.
“Yeah, I hate seeing him drained like this. Oh, not to change the subject, but have you seen the forecast? Thunderstorms all day tomorrow.”
My stomach falls. We were supposed to spend another day at the lake. “No. I hadn’t heard.” I try not to let the disappointment show. At the same time, my mind is racing with ideas to see McKenna. “We should just get together at my place anyway.” Normally, I’d keep up on the weather for my job, but all I can seem to focus on is McKenna. Thankfully we have excellent farmhands to keep the place in line while I’m distracted.
“You sure?”
I shrug as if I’m indifferent when I’m anything but. “Why not? I have the spare bedroom, and the couch in the living room, and the recliner. I can even dig the air mattress out if we need it.”
My little sister gives me a knowing grin. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll spread the word. You two be safe. Call me if I need to give either of you a ride home.” With a side hug for each of us, she’s out the door.
Corbin grins. “She didn’t even know I was planting the seed.” His smirk tells me that he’s proud of himself. It’s good that he mentioned them needing help without coming out and suggesting she do it.
I just shake my head. “That’s what it’s going to take. At least she sees Colby exhausted, and I’m sure he’s complained about the office work. You all might just get lucky. It might not be as hard as I originally thought to get her to work for you.”
Corbin nods. “She’s family. She belongs there as much as Colbs and I do.”
Call me sentimental, or maybe it’s all of these feelings seeing McKenna and spending time with her has brought to the surface, but his words pull at the strings of my heart. I love my little sister, and my best friend, and his brother. They’re family to me too. Knowing my sister is marrying into a family who’s going to be good to her and treat her right is comforting.
We finish eating and shoot the shit for another half an hour or so before we both head home. Alone. I want to call McKenna just to hear her voice, but I refrain. Instead, I curl up in bed and drift off to sleep, thinking about her.
“Well, gang, it’s been fun, but I gotta bounce,” Corbin says, standing from his spot at the dining room table.
“Where are you headed?” Colby asks.
A glance at the clock on the wall tells me it’s just after ten on Saturday night. The forecast was correct, and it’s been pouring rain since early this afternoon. Everyone arrived a little before six. My sister and McKenna made a ton of snack food, and it looks more like we’re having a Super Bowl party rather than a casual get-together. Every surface of my kitchen is covered with food.
“Hot date.” He wags his eyebrows.
“Come on now,” Colby gives him shit. “Let’s call a spade a spade.”
“Fine. I might be meeting up with Sara to keep her company.”
“Is that what the kids are calling it these days?” McKenna teases.
Corbin aims his index finger at her. “You’re lucky I’ve missed you,” he says with an easy smile. “Besides, everyone is coupled up.” He motions to where Laramie and Colby are snuggled on the love seat, and McKenna and I are on the couch. We’re not cuddled up, but we are sitting closer than two people need to on this big couch. “Now, unless you need me to perform another wedding….” He glances around the room, wearing a cocky grin.
“We’re working on that,” Colby replies.
“I’m only getting married once,” I tell him. It’s true. I want to settle down and do it right.
“Well, you’ve already fucked that up. You married Mac twice now.”
“Hey! Are you saying I’m a mistake?” McKenna asks, barely holding in her laughter.
“No, but you could have chosen the better-looking of the two of us.” He taps his hand to his chest.
“And what would Sara think?” McKenna teases.
“Well-played, Mac. Well-played.” He winks at her. “Anyway, Russ bowed out. He’s working on his truck, and Josh is out with Stephanie at her sister’s wedding. So, yeah, fifth wheel.” He points at his himself. “I’m out.” He waves to all of us as he turns for the door.
“You good to drive?” I call after him.
“Yeah. Only had two beers, and that was hours ago, and a whole hell of a lot of food later.”
“Call me if you need a ride.”
“Oh, I think Sara can handle that.” He wags his eyebrows, and then he’s out the door.
“Well now, since it’s just the four of us, why don’t we play some cards?” Colby suggests.
“I suck at cards,” Laramie complains.
“Let’s just watch a movie,” this from McKenna.
“That. Let’s do that.” My sister nods and points at her best friend as if the idea is the best one she’s heard in her entire life. “I’ll grab some more wine, and you pick,” she tells McKenna, tossing her the remote.
“Me? I don’t care what we watch.” She then tosses the remote into my lap.
“No,” Laramie whines dramatically. “They’re going to make us watch some thriller or shoot-’em-up movie.”
“Come on, it won’t be that bad,” McKenna says.
“Yes, it will!” she calls over her shoulder from the kitchen.
“Choose wisely, my friend,” McKenna says with a smile for me.
“Please, choose wisely,” Colby pleads. “You know she’s more opinionated when she’s been drinking.” While he says the words, there’s a soft smile playing at his lips that’s always there whenever my sister is involved.
Laramie comes back with her hands full. She passes me a beer and then does the same with Colby. She tops off McKenna’s wineglass, which is almost running over, and does the same to hers before setting the empty wine bottle on the table, taking a hefty drink, and then sitting on Colby’s lap.
Lifting my arm in the air, I’m ready to launch the remote to the love seat my sister and Colby are sitting on. A loud crack of thunder so loud it feels as though it rattles the house strikes, and then the lights go out.
“Shit.”
“Well, that makes the decision for us.” McKenna laughs.
“I’ll dig out some flashlights, candles, and a lighter.” I stand to go searching for what we need. “I have a couple of oil lamps too,” I tell whoever happens to be listening to me ramble on in the darkness of my living room.
“I’ll help,” comes from Colby as he turns on the flashlight of his cell phone and follows me into the kitchen. Using my phone light as well, I rummage around in the drawers until I find the lighter I used to light the candles for my dinner with McKenna’s Thursday night. Then I make my way to the dining room and snag them from the table.
“When did you get those?” my sister asks once the candles are lit and sitting on the coffee table.
“I’ve had them.” It’s a lie, and we both know it, but she doesn’t call me out on it either. “I have a few more. I just need to dig them out.”