133. Complete Sentences, Caveman
COMPLETE SENTENCES, CAVEMAN
LAYTON
Two days fly by. The elation I felt in seeing Livy and meeting Kimpton was such a high… one I wouldn’t have experienced had I been numbed out. And now, I’m going home.
My first stop is at the ranch for a celebratory dinner.
“Mr. Ranger, your brother is here.” The young girl smiles as she leaves my doorway.
“Thank you.”
I walk to the office to find Cynthia. “I’m indebted to you. Please let me know how and when I can help you or Natomas Hills, okay?”
“I’ll take you up on that. Give me a call if you get triggered or feel overwhelmed. Our doors are always open. You’re welcome when you want to come sit in group or just talk privately.”
“I’ll take you up on that.”
With one last wave, I walk out the doors into the afternoon sun.
Braxton is in Emberleigh’s SUV, and I climb in after tossing my bag in the back seat.
He gives me a fist bump and hands over my wallet, which I slide into my pocket.
He points at my phone. I tap the screen and see several dozen messages from Livy and nearly as many from a group called “Team Takedown,” whatever that is.
A handful are from George and another scattering from friends and family.
I set it face down in the charging spot. It can wait.
“This thing is so weirdly quiet,” I say, looking around the Tesla
“It’s eerie. I like the sound of a motor.”
“Same.”
“It’s smoother than my dually, though, and not nearly as high.”
“Appreciate the thought, Brax. How’s Emberleigh doing with her mom’s anniversary coming up?”
“I’d love to say I’ve asked. Shame on me. I’ve had my mind on other things and didn’t give it a second thought. Thanks for reminding me.”
“Do you ever look up and realize how fast life is moving?”
“You made fun of my Goonies line only to hit me with a Ferris Bueller one? But seriously, yeah. Two years ago, Mom was still with us, and Colt hadn’t been born.
A year ago, I didn’t have a fiancée, and Pop hadn’t been shot.
A year ago, we didn’t know about Bright and Eli, and you wouldn’t have considered moving home… ”
“A year ago, Livy and I hadn’t crossed paths.
I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you. So thank you, Brax.
Thanks for sticking your neck out for me at a time when I couldn’t for myself.
Thanks for hiring Livy. Thanks for getting her here and not taking no for an answer.
Thanks for rallying when things changed. ”
“You were right, you know.” Brax stares out the windshield.
“I’m sorry. Come again.”
“I’m admitting I was wrong, and you were right. About the ranch and watching my kids grow up. We have the staff, and I don’t have to work fourteen hours a day. Not most days anyway.”
“Whoa. Back up. For clarification… I was right?”
He nods.
“And you said kidssss,” I draw out the ‘s’ to make a point. “As in more than one?”
If my brother could blind me with his smile, it would be happening to me right now.
“We haven’t told anyone, and it’s super, super early.
The home test yesterday says she’s pregnant.
We haven’t even gone to the doctor to confirm, so we’re not saying anything.
Besides, Kimpton was born the day before yesterday, and you come home today, so it’s a joy sandwich but not our moment. At least, that’s what she says.”
“Get the blood test, urine test, poop test – however it is they figure things out officially and then share that shit far and wide, Braxton. We need some happy!” I clap him on the shoulder as he turns into the ranch gates. “But I’d love to hear it again. Say it with me now… Layton was right.”
“Shut up, fucker.”
“So damn happy for you, Brax. Now make an honest woman out of that girl. She’s already said yes. You just haven’t made it a priority.”
“If that’s how you feel, you’ll hear something you’ll like tonight at dinner. Certainly not stealing your thunder.”
“Steal away. You’d be doing me a favor. I think Layton is no longer a druggie is a bad theme for family dinner anyway.”
When we pull up at Pop’s, I grab my bag and slide my phone into the side pocket. I look at the stairs I can climb nearly pain-free, without a walker or a guide dog or drugs, and think about what a difference several weeks has made.
The front door opens and, much like the hospital, I’m accosted, but the humans take a back seat this time, mostly because they’d be bruised by how Kyle wields his tail and by Looney fending off everyone who isn’t named Luna.
“Well, don’t just stand there. Come in,” Pop calls from the kitchen over the racket of a houseful of Rangers.
“I’m trying, but the dogs need love.” I give Kyle a good head scratch and reach for blondie when Kyle launches up on his hind legs like a horse, drops both paws onto my shoulders, and licks my face from chin to hairline.
“Luna, don’t even attempt it,” my sister corrects her dog before watching Sola imitate Kyle and try to lick my face.
“Kyle!” Livy looks horrified. “Down. You know better.” She turns to me, hands still on her hips from her canine reprimanding, and asks, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, but I wouldn’t mind a wet paper towel.”
“Let’s go.” Bright makes quick work of ushering the three dogs into the house, before looking back over her shoulder. “Well, you’re not a vampire. You don’t need an invitation.”
Elias meets me at the door and gives me a firm handshake and a knowing look, and I’m curious about the progress our threesome has made while I’ve been away.
Brighton returns with a paper towel. “You spoil the dogs too much.”
“And?”
She rolls her eyes at my response and heads back to the kitchen.
I find Livy giving Kyle a dissertation on acceptable behavior in the corner. He sits, head hung low, taking it all in. I make my way to her, give her a kiss, and tap my thigh on Kyle’s side until he leans into me. “Honey, I’m home.”
“Finally,” she whispers against my lips and circles her hands around my neck.
“I’m going to finish saying my hellos and I’ll be back. Don’t fuss too much at Kyle. I’ve missed him.” I rub his head and get a spot under his chin that has him reaching for more.
I stop at Willa on the sofa with Kimpton wrapped in a sarong thing. “Hey, Mama. How are you doing? How’s the work of art?”
“He’s perfect. I haven’t slept in a month and can smell the number green, but he’s perfect.”
“You gonna let me babysit soon?”
“Soon. But your brother gets jealous of me holding him. You two can scrap for it.”
“Where is Exton anyway?”
“He’s on a Zoom call in the bedroom. He’ll be out in a bit.”
Emberleigh stares at Willa and her new nephew and back to Colt, who’s walking everywhere. Stomping is more accurate, but either way, it’s cute. “He looks so big compared to his cousin,” she says.
“He is.” I lean down, give her a kiss on the cheek, and whisper so only she can hear, “Imagine how big he’ll look next summer.”
Her eyes bug out, and she looks down before meeting my gaze.
I give her a wink but don’t wait for a response and return to the corner of the sofa where Livy has placed herself.
I sit next to her and grab her hand, lacing our fingers, taking all the touch I can before my dick decides he needs to say hi.
I lean close to her ear and whisper, “How long do we have to stay before we’re called rude? ”
A shiver runs through her, and her teeth come out to bite her bottom lip. She shakes her head ever so slightly.
Still whispering, I say, “So way too fucking long then?”
She nods subtly.
“Do I need to sneak off to the bathroom with you so I can eat your pussy for an appetizer?”
She squeezes her knees tightly together as a blush creeps up her face.
“I’d tongue fuck you right now until you screamed. On second thought, best not to… I’d hate for everyone to know what you sound like when you come for me.”
Her breathing goes erratic. At that moment, Brax says, “What are you whispering about over there?”
Exton arrives at that point, and as he makes his way to me, I ask Livy quietly, “You wet, Pix?”
Livy nods from my peripheral vision as Exton comes in for a handshake. “Glad you’re home, Layton. I have an update for you when you’re ready.”
“Thanks, Ex. I can’t wait to hear. I saw several text messages but I haven’t read them yet.”
He plops down on the sofa next to me and places Willa’s feet on his lap, gently massaging them. It’s something so natural between them that I wonder if they know they do it. No sooner does he switch to the other foot, as Pop calls, “Dinner is ready. Come and get it.”
We pile into the kitchen and load up our plates. You can see the effort Pop made to ensure Livy has something to eat. Two kinds of coleslaw, one with no mayo. Marinated tofu. Brussels sprouts with balsamic. Tomato, cucumber, and onion salad. And a fruit salad that looks delicious.
Of course, there’s brisket I’d bet Braxton smoked all day and chicken too.
When we’ve all sat, the conversation hits an awkward pause. No one wants to say “How was rehab, Layton? What’s it like?” And since I’m not volunteering, the silence continues.
When it’s gone a little too long, Livy pipes up, “I’m thinking of having a birthday party for Layton next week. Any reason we can’t do it on Monday?”
How does she know about my birthday? And when is hers? Shit. Please don’t let it have been in the last month.
“I’ve got nothing but time. Tell me when and where, and I’ll be there.” Pop is the first to reply.
“The three of us will be there,” Willa offers. “That’s fun to say,” she adds to Exton, who stares at her as if she hung the moon.
Bright turns to Elias, and some secret communication passes between them. “We’re in,” she says.
Braxton and Emberleigh start at the same time, “We can—” They turn and wait for the other to finish the thought.
“We’d love to,” Emberleigh says.
“Speaking of invites, we’ll be doing something on New Year’s Eve. Can we count you in?”
The silent-couple communication I watched before happens again with the same result.
“Absolutely.”
“Count us in.”
“We’d love to.”
“Sure.”