Chapter Twenty
"This place really is magical," I whisper to Nelson. We're standing just behind the tree line of the lookout area. It's late at night, well past the sun setting. The sky is clear and filled with more stars than I thought possible. "It's romantic as hell. If you propose to me one day, do it here."
"Why am I the one proposing?" Nelson asks. I turn and look at him dumbfounded.
"Why wouldn't you be the one to propose? You're older."
"And you're the… more in charge one in this relationship." I stifle a laugh at his floundering for words. He's so cute when he tries to argue with me.
"Well, I'm deciding now. You're proposing to me." I stand up straight and kiss his cheek with a smile.
"What if I never do?" He kisses my cheek back. "Are you just going to wait for me forever?"
"I'll always wait for you," I say quietly.
The moonlight is reflecting in his eyes and I have to remind myself that I'm here to get the picture for my brother.
I can't get distracted and pull my boyfriend away to make out with him.
"But you have two years max. Neither of us are getting younger. Especially you."
Nelson wraps his arms around me from behind, holding me close. His fingers dig into my side and I try to squirm away. I feel his breath against my ear when he whispers the next words. "I won't need two years."
Headlights interrupt our conversation and we both crouch down instinctively to not be seen. Nelson was kind enough to let my brother use his truck to get up here. We used Charlie's truck, parked it a little ways back and off the path, to get up here about twenty minutes ago.
The cookout today was a huge success, even with a few hiccups.
Most of those hiccups being Veronica. I introduced Nelson as my boyfriend to my family.
My mom was welcoming, my dad gave him a cordial handshake but that was about it.
Finnigan and Charlotte were more welcoming toward him and his family.
Charlotte kept going on about how her little ones would love a place like this when they're older.
Despite my parents being city people through and through, they are great at socializing and kept up steady conversations with all of those that joined the cookout.
Veronica was the only one that complained about it being dirty, about having to eat outside, also having to pick the meat straight off the grill.
The food was too delicious to complain about anything.
I could see Finnigan's smile falter every time she complained about something else.
I don't know why he thought surprising her with a trip here was a good idea.
I'm guessing she was under the impression they were going somewhere exotic and this was only a brief stop on the way.
She mentioned more than once she didn't pack for 'a place like this'.
Nelson shifts beside me, dropping to his knees with a small grunt.
He elbows me in the ribs when I cover my mouth to keep from laughing at him.
I want to make a joke about his age, but I hold my tongue.
I watch with bated breath as Finnigan opens the passenger door and helps Veronica out. Her voice travels easily to us.
"Why are we here, Finn?" I wince at the use of his nickname. You would think after two years she'd know only our mom calls him that. "This place is…"
"I was told this is the best place to look at the stars," Finnigan interrupts. "I figured we could hang out here together for a little while."
"It's so loud," Veronica says. I roll my eyes and glance over at Nelson.
I thought the same thing my first summer here.
I didn't know what cicadas were until I experienced them.
Walking around and hearing trees screaming at you is unnerving if you don't know what it is.
Now, the noise is calming and is more like white noise to me.
Especially since spending nights on the farm with Nelson.
Outside of mosquitos, I love the nature on the farm.
I've even been able to fall asleep a lot easier with no lights.
I turn back and watch my brother lead his girlfriend toward the edge of the lookout.
I turn on the camera and poise it to start catching photos of them.
They're too far away for me to make out what's being said, but the moonlight is clear enough that I can see when my brother gets down on one knee.
My sister made sure that he would kneel properly for the photo.
She trained him to keep his back straight, his knee steady.
I snap a photo of him holding out the ring before Veronica turns and notices that he's proposing.
Then I snap another as she lifts a hand to her mouth.
A third one is snapped when Finnigan lowers the box to his knee.
"Bennett." Nelson's voice is quiet beside me. "I don't think that was a yes."
I hear Veronica's voice just as he says the words. "Why would you do this here? God, I thought we were going to the vacation home, not this… Shithole."
"Ouch." I slap a hand over Nelson's mouth to shush him. He grabs my wrist and lowers it, holding my hand. I'm definitely not taking anymore photos so I don't pull away.
"Seriously, Finnigan. When have I ever expressed interest in visiting a farm or being proposed to where there is no one around?
" Her voice is getting louder and I look at my brother.
He's standing now and I can see his shoulders are slumped forward and his face is downcast. She's not done, though.
"I want to share this moment with my friends, to show off the ring.
I can't do that when we're in the middle of nowhere.
God, you don't even know me and you think I'm going to marry you? "
Veronica starts toward the truck and Nelson and I duck down lower, hoping to not be seen.
It's dark enough that I think we're safe.
I doubt Veronica is worried about anything but herself.
Finnigan runs after her. I wish I didn't have to listen to the next bit of their interaction.
I can tell that Finnigan is hurt, it's clear in his voice.
Veronica seems indifferent to it. The final words hit hard.
"I don't want to marry you. I want to go home."
Nelson and I are left there, stunned. Neither of us move even after the truck turns around and disappears. I delete the photos from the camera even before getting a text from my brother.
"They're taking my car and he's taking her to the airport." I tilt my phone to show Nelson.
"God, I hate that."
"I was hoping I'd be wrong, but I was worried this would happen." We start walking down the path toward where we parked the truck. "You remember when he called me? He was thinking about ending things then. I guess he was holding out hope."
I text him back an apology that it didn't go like he planned and confirm he wants me to delete the photos taken.
I don't get a response back and pocket my phone.
We make it back to the dwindling party within the next ten minutes.
Paul and his wife are still hanging out, as are most of the people that don't have kids with bedtimes.
Clark and a few of his friends are roasting marshmallows over the fire Charlie built earlier.
I catch a glimpse of Clark leaning his shoulder against one of his buddies, who turns and plants a quick kiss on his cheek.
I smile at the moment, but don't bring it to Nelson's attention. That's Clark's business.
Right now, my business is making sure my brother is okay. I'm surprised to see him standing by the table holding all the drinks. Veronica is nowhere in sight and all the adults seem to look slightly uncomfortable or just sad. Finnigan is the one to explain when we get close enough.
"Charlotte took her back to the hotel," he says. "She apparently doesn't want to be alone in a car with me."
"I'm sorry, man." I pull him in for a hug but I'm not sure what else to do or say.
"Guess there was no point in wanting all the family together for this," he says. He tips the red solo cup back and gulps down whatever is in it. "Now I'm just embarrassed."
I've never known my brother to be this soft.
I know he wants to be married, to have a family.
It's been a dream of his to pass down the family name.
Since I distanced myself, figuratively and literally, I didn't realize how bad it'd gotten for him.
I know he's still working in the family business and that isn't a stress free job, but I guess I forgot how good of a person he can be.
He's only thirty-five, but I'm sure he's under pressure from colleagues and our parents to find someone.
"Anyway, someone please give me something else to focus on." We walk toward a group of Nelson's friends. I recognize Paul, at least. "And another beer. I think I deserve it."
"That, I can help with." Someone walks up with a beer in each hand. I don't recognize the guy. He looks to be older than Clark and his friends, but younger than myself. Mid-twenties, maybe. The guy pops the cap off expertly and hands it over to Finnigan with a smile.
"Thanks, Bailey," Nelson says. He looks at the rest of our small group. "Bailey is the neighboring farm's kid. Graduated high school, what, two years ago?"
"Three," Bailey says. "I'm also the new bartender at Cannon Waters if anyone would like to come support your local starving artist with tips."
"You're an artist?" I ask. "What kind?"
"The musician kind," he says with a smile. He's proud of that. "I have a few songs out on Spotify, but I'm working on saving up for some studio time and I'll be taking some classes at the college, too, starting next year."
"If you have the chance, I recommend this guy's class." Nelson wraps his arms around me again, hugging me from behind. It's a little bit possessive, but I love it.
"I don't know if I'll need it, but I'll keep an eye out." Bailey takes a sip of his own beer. "It sucks that you're not going to be my neighbor anymore after this season, though. It's going to suck seeing this place gone."
"What?"
We all turn to see Nelson and Charlie's dad standing behind us, more than close enough to overhear our conversation.
I feel Nelson's arms tense around me. Charlie's eyes are wide, standing next to his dad.
I don't know how to react. I knew they were going to talk to their dad tomorrow, to break the news when there wasn't alcohol present, or a whole crowd of people.
Nelson's arms fall away from my body just as Charlie steps forward.
"We should probably head inside to talk," Nelson says. "Let's not start a scene here. Y'all feel free to hang out as long as you want." He kisses the side of my head. "I'll be back in a bit, but feel free to take my truck if you want to go to the house."
"Good luck," I whisper as he follows his family into the house.
I glance over to check on Clark, hoping that he isn't aware of what's going down.
He is laughing with his friends, his back turned to the house.
Silver linings, I guess. I turn back to the group I'm standing with.
"They were planning on breaking the news to them tomorrow.
Their dad doesn't know the farm was sold. "
"Shit. I didn't know they didn't know. I wouldn't have said anything."
"It'll be okay," I assure him. There's nothing we can do to change it now. The cat is out of the bag, so to speak. No point making someone feel bad about it. "They've been trying to fight the contract since the beginning of the summer, but there's nothing they can do."
Finnigan raises the hand holding his beer and shakes his head. "There's always a loophole in contracts. I should know, I write them all day long."
"I've looked over it myself," I say. "If there is something, I didn't see it."
"Let me take a look at it," Finnigan says. He goes to take a step forward and nearly stumbles over his own feet. Bailey catches him, wrapping both arms around his waist to hold him steady. "Um, maybe tomorrow though. I think I need to lay down right now. There are, like, three of each of you."
"What hotel are you staying at?" Bailey asks, looking over at me. "I just got here, so I've only had a few sips. I'm good to drive."
I'm about to tell him Finnigan can crash at Nelson's place tonight, but Paul's hand on my arm stops me. He leans closer so only I can hear him talking. "I think Nelson is going to need some privacy after this talk tonight. That's not going to go over well with his parents."
I nod. I give Bailey the hotel name and watch him guide my brother to a car.
I can't make out the model from here, but I see Bailey buckle him in before closing the door.
I trust that he's sober and will get him there safe.
Finnigan didn't have a lot to drink today, but I know he's going to be all in his head for the night. He doesn't need to be alone.
I text my sister to let her know that someone is bringing Finnigan to the hotel.
I'm sure Veronica has already booked her flight out of here.
I'm also sure she'll wait at the airport overnight than have to see my brother.
I watch them drive away, then turn my head to look at the house. It's going to be a long night.