Chapter Twenty-Nine
Warren
Going home for lunch to eat with Maisie is my favorite part of my workday.
Even after two months of her officially moving in, I never get tired of seeing the evidence of her in our house. Her books stacked in random areas, laptop usually left open on the coffee table, and an abundance of self-care products scattered over the bathroom counter.
Honestly, I couldn’t love it more.
We’ve formed a nice routine in the evenings.
I shower after work, start dinner, and then after a few attempts of telling her to come eat, I pick her up out of her desk chair and haul her ass to the table.
I keep the fridge stocked with snacks and protein smoothies so she remembers to eat during the day.
Afterward, we go outside and feed the chickens.
All twelve of them.
For someone who hated them at the beginning of summer, she was quick to ask if she could name them. And because she’s a bookworm at heart, gave all six chicks Disney princess names .
Now I’m walking around shouting at Cinderella and Belle to stop fighting while Aurora and Tiana chase after Ariel and Jasmine .
Going from six to twelve is a fucking shitshow.
But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
On the weekends, I’ve been teaching Maisie how to cook. It’s slow going, but she’s trying. Minus the Salisbury steak incident where she managed to burn it on the outside while the inside was still rare.
In between all the chaos, I’ve been planning Silas’s bachelor party since I’m his best man and he’s getting married soon. Aundrea gave strict instructions on what he was allowed or not allowed to do, so we’re basically left with going to a gay bar so “women won’t hit on him.”
But I wouldn’t be surprised if she shows up there just to make sure.
Most likely, we’ll end up drunk and taking turns on the mechanical bull.
“Sweetheart? Where’re you?” I walk into a quiet and dark house. Her car’s in the driveway, so she must be downstairs reading. We’re going away this weekend, so hopefully she started packing before getting lost in her book.
But when I flick on the lights, people jump out from behind the furniture and scream, “Happy birthday!”
The living room spills out with family and friends. But my eyes scan the area for her.
When she finally emerges with the biggest smile on her face, I playfully shake my head. “Oh hell, you did not.”
She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me in for a kiss. “Were you surprised? ”
“Uh, yeah. How in the world did you plan this without me knowin’?”
“I’m very sneaky.” She waggles her brows. “And had lots of help.”
I walk around with Maisie and thank at least fifty people and my siblings for coming and cramming into my house. My mom gives me a knowing look like she’s also behind this little surprise and then Aunt JoJo congratulates me on joining the dirty-thirties club.
I’m shocked when I see Landen and Ellie. Even after she lost and regained her memory, they fell in love and are now engaged. With how obsessed he is with her, I wouldn’t be surprised if they get married right away.
After we sent in our letters about Angela to the parole board, we later found out they approved her anyway.
It was a major blow, but Landen’s been handling it well given the circumstances.
“I can’t believe y’all made the drive up here.” I pull him in for a hug. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other. “I get to finally meet the woman who’s had a hold on you for the past four-plus years.”
“That so?” Ellie gloats and smirks at Landen. “Tell me more.”
We all laugh.
I like her already.
Once I introduce her to Maisie, we chat for a few minutes before continuing to give Bodie and Colt shit for keeping a secret from me.
“Happy birthday, man!” Silas smacks my back, hugging me hard.
“Thanks, I’m glad you came.” I look around for his other half, who never lets him out of her sight. “Where’s Aundrea? ”
He scratches his cheek and averts his gaze. “She had plans tonight. But she sends her best wishes.”
He’s lying.
But I’m not sure why.
I’ll get it out of him later.
Another face I’m surprised to see is Maisie’s brother and his wife. Not that we aren’t on friendly terms, but they have a newborn baby.
“Hey, how’s my nephew?” I ask, peeking through the blanket to see his face. He’s sleeping against Collins’s chest.
“He breastfeeds every two hours and only sleeps when I hold him,” Collins says. “So as long as I don’t have to eat or shower, he’s great.”
I chuckle. “It’ll get easier, hopefully, someday.”
Maisie hands me a drink and I take a sip when Aaron says, “He’s gonna need a cousin close in age, so chop-chop. It’s been long enough.”
I nearly spew my beer all over the baby, coughing it up when it goes down the wrong way.
“Aaron!” Maisie playfully smacks him. “I’m not ready to share my husband yet.”
“You okay?” Collins asks when I can’t catch my breath.
I clear my throat, finally getting it together. “Yeah, great.”
Maisie and I continue mingling, grabbing food and chatting with everyone. I’m still in shock she pulled this off without making it obvious she was up to something. My birthday’s on Sunday, which is why we’re going to Nashville for a little getaway.
“You pulled off quite the party, Mrs. Langston,” I drawl, holding her against me once the last guests leave .
Mom and Aunt JoJo stayed to help clean up and then I kicked them out since we’re leaving in the morning.
Tucking loose strands behind her ear, I lower my lips to hers. “Now I need to one-up you.”
“Why can’t you just let me have this? You’re always cookin’ and takin’ care of me. I wanted to do somethin’ special for you.”
I grab her chin and give the tip of her nose a little kiss. “You did, my love. Thank you again.”
She smacks my ass. “You’re welcome, old man.”
“ Old man ? You’re gonna be thirty soon, too.”
She puts her finger over my lips. “Shhh.”
Instead of arguing, I lift her up and carry her ass to bed where I spend an hour thanking her.
“Silas?”
I rub the sleep from my eyes and squint to conceal them from the bright sky.
“Hey, sorry it’s so early. Can I come in?”
“Yeah, of course.” Stepping back to give him room, he enters the house and then I close the door behind him. He doesn’t seem like himself. “Everythin’ okay?”
I haven’t seen him since my birthday party two weeks ago.
His bachelor party is next Saturday, so we’ve been making plans over text.
On top of getting ready for his wedding, Landen and Ellie decided to give us a thirty-day notice they wanted to get married at the Willow Chalet, so it’s been all hands on deck getting ready for that.
“Not really.” He follows me into the kitchen where I’m making breakfast. “This wasn’t somethin’ I wanted to tell you over the phone.”
“Shit, that sounds serious.” Crossing my arms, I lean against the counter as he takes the stool behind the breakfast bar. “What happened?”
“Aundrea called off the weddin’.”
Considering she didn’t come for the party, I assumed they got into a fight or something or she didn’t want him to have a bachelor party, but damn, I didn’t expect this.
“Shit, dude.” I drop my arms. “Do you know why?”
He explains everything while I finish frying bacon and sausage links. I feel for him, especially with how close they were to getting married and how much he loved her.
But I’m afraid the problem is she loved the idea of him more than him as a person. Always wanting him to change or act a certain way. Practically keeping him on a leash. Forcing him to work with her dad and live a lifestyle that matched hers.
Maybe I should’ve seen it coming.
But by his distraught voice, he hadn’t either.
“Yeah, so…now I’m out of a job and place to live,” he continues when I make him a plate of scrambled eggs.
“Two hot men in my kitchen and the delicious smell of food? Have I died and woken up in a romance novel?” Maisie struts in wearing one of my work T-shirts, adorably clueless of our tense conversation.
“Mornin’, baby.” I give her a quick kiss. “Aundrea and Silas broke up.”
She inhales a loud gasp. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry.” Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she gives her best attempt to hug him.
“He needs a place to crash for a bit,” I tell her. “We could set up an air mattress in the library or living room until he finds his own place.”
“I don’t wanna be an inconvenience,” Silas argues. “I can stay at a motel.”
“Absolutely not.” I shake my head, making Maisie a plate of eggs and meat. “We’ll figure it out.”
“What about Posey?” Maisie asks, and I subtly shake my head, but she ignores it. “She has a spare bedroom and did I hear you need a job? She was just tellin’ me she’s still lookin’ for extra help at the goat farm.”
“Maze…that’s not a good idea,” I tell her carefully.
She doesn’t remember their feud.
Or rather, their one-sided feud.
“Why not? It’s perfect! He doesn’t wanna sleep on an air mattress anyway.”
I glance at Silas, who looks conflicted. “She’ll never agree to it.”
She furrows her brows. “How come?”
I remind her how they always fought like siblings in high school, and ever since, she refuses to be around him. Though I never knew exactly why she hates him so much. I always assumed it was because he picked on her like a little sister while she crushed on him.
“That was years ago. Surely she’s not still upset about it.”
“Trust me, she is.” Silas stabs a piece of sausage. “She hasn’t talked to me in years.”
“ Years? ” Maisie gasps. “That can’t be right. ”
“It’s true,” I confirm. “Posey deemed him enemy number one. Anytime he’s around, she leaves or blatantly ignores him.”
Maisie’s quiet for a moment, stewing on our words.
“Hm…I’m gonna call her. Doesn’t hurt to ask.”
She pulls out her phone, and although I know it’s about to be a shitshow, I don’t stop her.
“Good mornin’, my favorite sister-in-law,” Posey singsongs.
At least she’s in a good mood. For now .
“Hello to my favorite sister-in-law,” Maisie says, grinning. “I have a big favor to ask.”
“Okay, shoot.”
“It’d mean a lot to both me and Warren, so please remember that.”
“You’re pregnant? And you want me to be the godmother? I accept!”
Maisie snorts. “No, not quite. We have a friend who could use a place to stay while they look for an apartment, so would you mind a roommate?”
“Depends. Who is it?”
Maisie pauses briefly. “It’s Silas.”
“Are you fuckin’ kidding me? Not happenin’. Please tell me you’re jokin’.” Her voice goes up an octave with each fuming word. “Did your asshole husband ask you to fuck with me?”
Yep, there it is.
“Posey, I’m being serious. Aundrea broke up with him and he has nowhere to go.”
“That’s literally not my problem. He can sleep with the goats for all I care.”
“Posey,” I drawl, deepening my voice. “He can hear you.”
“Motherfuckers! I hate y’all.”
“It’s fine,” Silas blurts. “I’ll figure somethin’ else out. ”
“Time to get over your unrequited crush, Posey. You’re the most forgivin’ person I know. Why can’t you let this go?”
The line goes silent.
“Posey?” Maisie cautiously asks.
“It wasn’t unrequited,” she murmurs so softly, I almost don’t hear her.
My eyes snap to Silas, confused by what she means. His cheeks redden and he averts his gaze.
“What the fuck does that mean?” I bark. “Please tell me it doesn’t mean what I think it means.”
Did they…were they… no . There’s no way.
But I was going through my own shit when Maisie left for college and even after, so it’s possible I missed the signs.
I guess? In high school, I was obsessed with spending time with Maisie as much as I could, but I also made time for Silas, and he would’ve told me if something was going on between them. Right?
“It was a long time ago,” Posey says. “I have valid reasons for hatin’ him, but if you wanna know why, ask him.”
Then she hangs up.
Silence fills the air and my glare doesn’t leave my best friend, who’s pretending to be more interested in his food than our conversation.
“Told ya she wouldn’t agree to it,” he finally mutters.
My tongue flicks the inside of my cheek as I try to calm my racing heart. “You have a lot of explainin’ to do.”
He blows out a breath. “It’s not what you’re thinkin’.”
Maisie scoots in closer to Silas, a wicked grin on her beautiful face. “Tell me everythin’ and leave nothin’ out.”
I snort, rolling my eyes at how nosy she is. No wonder she and Posey get along so well.
“But please limit any gross details…” I hold up my palm, assuming the worst. “As her brother, I don’t wanna know everythin’ .”
“Well, I do, so you can plug your ears.” Maisie grins, focusing her attention on Silas. “Start at the beginnin’.”
After an exhausting thirty minutes of Silas sharing the story and Maisie interrupting to ask him follow-up questions, I’m torn between kicking his ass for keeping secrets from me or feeling bad he’s really shit out of luck on getting back on her good side.
“You need to apologize,” Maisie tells him. “Make amends. Not ’cause you need a place to stay, but because it’s overdue and you owe her one. And you never know…” She smirks at me. “Sometimes apologies can lead to somethin’ more.”