Chapter 32
Kade
The evening rolls on easily, everyone stretched out on the back porch, full and content from all the food we just devoured. Laughter bounces between us, the air warm with stories and the kind of teasing that only comes with family.
I reach over and rest my hand on Liv’s thigh, giving it a gentle squeeze.
She turns toward me, and her smile—it catches me off guard.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen her this relaxed before.
She’s glowing, laughing right along with everyone, jumping into conversations like she’s always been here.
She even helped Mom carry food out earlier, side by side with Aubrey, like it was nothing.
She fits. Like she’s always belonged.
“You doing okay?” I ask, my voice low, just for her.
She leans in slightly, soft but sure. “Yeah. I’m having the best time.”
“I’m glad, baby.”
I brush a quick kiss to her temple before turning back toward Dad’s voice, cutting through the laughter. Liv shifts easily back into conversation with Aubrey, her smile lingering. I can’t help watching her for another second longer than I should.
Dad raises his glass. “I’m proud of you boys,” he says, glancing between me and Brandon. “You’ve really taken care of Jenkins Construction for me.”
Brandon and I trade a look and nod. The old tension between us—it’s gone. We’ve earned this. Built something real.
“And it won’t be long until Conrad joins you both,” Dad adds, clapping Conrad on the shoulder with a grin.
Brandon chuckles. “You ready for some hard graft, Con? Don’t expect us to go easy on you just because you’re the baby.”
I glance at Conrad and catch the way his face shifts. The color drains, his jaw tightens. I already know what’s coming.
“I’m not going to be working with you,” he says quietly.
The laughter dies instantly. Every head turns toward him.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Dad’s voice sharpens. “We talked about this. If you weren’t going to college, you’d work in the family business. That was the deal.”
Conrad swallows hard. “I don’t want to work at Jenkins Construction,” he says, louder now. “I never have.”
I lean forward. “I assume you’ve got a plan?”
His eyes meet mine. Steady. Determined. “I want to join the army. Special Forces, if I can make it.”
The silence is thick. Heavy. The kind that settles in your bones.
Mom’s eyes go wide, her hand already flying to her mouth. “No,” she breathes. “Conrad, no. You can’t be serious. It’s too dangerous.”
“It’s dangerous for me, but not for everyone else who serves,” he says gently. “Mom, come on. You know constructions not me. I’ve never wanted this. I want to serve. I want to make a difference.”
Tears well in her eyes. “I respect anyone who serves, of course I do, but you’re my baby. What about Lucy? Does she know?”
“She knows everything,” Conrad says, quieter now. “She wasn’t thrilled, but she didn’t try to stop me.”
Mom shakes her head, her voice cracking. “Just because she didn’t stop you doesn’t mean this isn’t a mistake. Please, Con… don’t do this.”
She looks at Dad, silently begging for backup. “Henry?”
Dad sighs, tone low. “We’ll talk about it later, son. As a family.”
Conrad shakes his head. “There’s nothing to talk about. I’ve already signed up. Passed the medicals and everything. I leave for basic in September.”
The table falls into stunned, absolute silence.
Mom’s hand drops from his arm like she’s been burned. Aubrey’s fork clatters against her plate. No one says a word.
Dad blinks. “September? You went behind our backs?”
“I didn’t go behind your backs,” Conrad snaps, tension rising. “I made a decision about my life. I’m not a kid anymore.”
“You live under our roof,” Dad snaps back. “You eat our food, you don’t pay rent, you’re barely out of high school. You don’t get to drop this on us and expect us to just roll with it.”
Mom’s voice breaks. “Why wouldn’t you tell us? Why wouldn’t you talk to us first?”
“Because I knew you’d do this,” Conrad fires back. “You’d try to control it. Guilt me. Talk me out of it.”
“That’s not fair,” Mom whispers, visibly shaken.
“Con,” Brandon says, frowning, “the army? Special Forces? Do you know what that actually means?”
“I know exactly what it means,” Conrad says, jaw set. “I’ve done the research. I’ve passed every test. I’m not doing this on a whim.”
Aubrey’s voice cuts in, softer. “And Lucy? You’ve been planning a life with her for years.”
Conrad’s face softens, but he stays firm. “Plans change. We’ll make it work.”
Dad swears under his breath, dragging a hand down his face.
“Alright,” I say, raising my hands slightly, my voice calm but steady. “Enough. Everybody breathe.”
Eyes swing to me. Even Liv’s. Her hand settles on my knee beneath the table, grounding me.
I nod at Conrad. “You’ve thought this through?”
He nods. “Yeah. For a long time.”
I glance at Mom and Dad. “You raised us to be strong. Independent. To make our own choices. You can’t be surprised when he does exactly that.”
Silence stretches, but the heat fades. Little by little.
“Maybe it wasn’t the best time to drop it,” I add gently, “but it’s out now. So, let’s handle it like a family. Not like enemies.”
Mom wipes at her tears. Dad exhales through his nose, not saying another word. Conrad slumps back slightly, tension bleeding out of his shoulders.
Liv’s fingers brush lightly against mine, the smallest gesture, but it feels like the world steadies under my feet again.
Conversation shifts slowly while Avery insists on showing Liv the cartwheel she’s been practicing. It is lighter now, the worst of the storm passed.
Plates are cleared, drinks topped off one last time. The sky fades to dusky purple, the air humming with crickets and distant laughter.
Dad pushes back from the table with a groan. “Let’s call it a night. Some of us have early mornings.”
I smirk. “Tough life for the retired, huh?”
Hugs make their way around. Aubrey pulls Liv in tight, whispers something that makes her smile.
As we gather to leave, Conrad steps up to Liv, rubbing the back of his neck. “Hey,” he says awkwardly. “Sorry for dropping all that on your first real night with us. Hope we didn’t scare you off.”
Liv smiles, soft and easy. “Not at all. Families aren’t perfect. But you guys are real. I liked that.”
Conrad’s shoulders ease. “You’re cool, Liv. I’m glad you’re here.”
Then Mom’s there too, pulling Liv into a hug. “You’re welcome anytime, sweetheart. Don’t let Kade keep you all to himself.”
Liv laughs. “I’ll do my best.”
I slide my arm around her waist, pulling her close. “We’re gonna head out,” I say, catching Mom’s knowing smile, her quiet approval tucked behind teary eyes.
“Drive safe,” she says.
We make our way to the truck, hands laced, the porch light glowing behind us, my family’s voices still drifting through the night.
And for the first time in a long time, everything feels right.