15. Deacon
DEACON
“Mornin’,” Sorren says as I step into the lobby of Vetted Paws. It’s not so much a greeting as it is just an acknowledgment that I’ve entered his space. My brother isn’t so different so it works for me just fine.
“Morning. How’s everything going?” I glance at the repair job I’d done recently and smile internally as I look over the wall you’d never know was damaged.
Damn, I do good work.
“Good, I—”
“Uncle Wren?” a young boy calls as he runs into the lobby and stops short next to Sorren.
Sorren.
Uncle Wren.
Cute.
I’m sure there’s a story there, and I make a mental note to ask Tanner next time I see him.
Sorren’s eyes soften as he glances at the boy, but the child is no longer looking at him; he’s looking at me. I watch as Sorren’s gaze bounces between us, doing some mental calculus before his lips curve up in a small smile.
“Briggs, this is Deacon Rhodes. He’s going to help us with that van project I told you about.”
“Cool!” Briggs says, his eyes widening and a smile splitting his face. “Do you know my dad too?”
I can guess but I won’t, needing the confirmation as I slide my gaze to Sorren. “Tanner,” he responds, his mouth curving up on one side.
So this is Briggs.
“Yeah, I know your dad,” I say carefully, ignoring Sorren when he chuffs out a laugh. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Hey, sorry I’m late,” a gorgeous woman with reddish-blonde hair says as she breezes into the lobby. She’s wearing jeans and a simple fitted top, her expression relaxed as she crosses the foyer.
“Mom!” Briggs yells, running at her and launching himself into her arms. She’s braced for impact but still lets out an audible oof when she catches him.
Fallon.
I haven’t talked to her much but I’ve seen her and Otto around. Briggs is the perfect combination of Fallon and Tanner with his light hair and eyes and a smile that seems to light up the room.
“Were you good?” she asks Briggs and he nods emphatically.
“I was!”
Looking up, Sorren nods, setting the stacks of papers in his hands back on the desk. “He was great. He always is.” Pausing, he hitches a thumb over his shoulder. “Helped me this morning with the dogs.”
Briggs beams at his mother, and I try not to be intrusive as I stand off to the side and wait for Sorren to be done.
“Mama, did you know Deacon is friends with Dad?” he asks, startling me from my thoughts as I turn toward them with the friendliest expression I can manage.
“Friends, huh?” she repeats as she holds out her hand. “That’s nice. I’m Fallon.” Her eyes are appraising as she looks me over, her hand firm as it wraps around mine.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” I tell her, already knowing that she doesn’t believe I’m just friends with Tanner. Has he told her about me?
We’ve only just had our first date.
My stomach flips at the idea that he’s mentioned me and also at the idea that he hasn’t and God I’m too old for this.
I could brush it off as nerves but it’s more than that. I want these people to like me. I need them to like me if I plan on things working out with Tanner.
Which I do.
“Likewise.” Her eyes are filled with both amusement and approval when they meet mine. “And you’ve met Briggs. Why don’t you come over and—”
“No,” Sorren growls, pointing a finger at her as my eyes widen, but Fallon just laughs. “You’re not going to derail this by overwhelming them with,”—he motions toward the door—“everyone.”
“Oh, come on, it would be fun.”
“No. Leave them alone.”
“You’re no fun.”
“That’s not new.”
“I think you’re fun, Uncle Wren!” Briggs announces, bouncing around the lobby.
“Thanks, Buddy.” His smile is softer before he glances back at Fallon. “Now go before I have to break more walls in here.”
I try and cover the surprised cough that escapes by clearing my throat as I look away, my lips turning up on one side. Sorren ignores me, but I can feel Fallon’s gaze ping-ponging between us before she relents.
“All right, but I make no promises when Otto finds out.” Her voice is incredibly upbeat as she and Briggs say goodbye before heading out the door.
The quiet that follows does nothing to quell the adrenaline pumping through my veins at the interaction.
“You’re welcome,” Sorren finally says, nodding toward the back as he starts to walk.
“It doesn’t sound so bad.”
“I’m not doing it for you,” he says, stopping short to look at me. “I’m doing it for Tanner. This is a big deal for him—putting himself out there. I have no problem being the bad guy so he can have five minutes to get his feet under him.”
“I appreciate that,” I manage, unsure what my role in all of this is. Shouldn’t I be the one defending Tanner? Am I even qualified to do that?
Would he even want me to do that?
“Good, can we get to work?”
Chuffing out a laugh, I nod. “Yeah, let’s get started.”