When We Go Back Again (Mason Brothers Book #1)

Chapter 14

FLETCHER

Being around Eden and Joey felt so natural today. I was nervous when I first brought up the idea of attending the festival together because I thought there might be some awkwardness involved, especially since I only briefly met Joey before. That wasn’t the case at all. Our interaction together felt so natural, like I’d be hanging out with him for his entire life. I didn’t want to push Eden’s comfort level too much, but I needed her to know that I was all in with her and with Joey.

I spent so much time trying to find the perfect car seat for him. I wanted her to know that his safety was big to me too. Not to mention I had heard what a pain in the ass moving a car seat could be. She was really happy when she saw it, almost in tears if I was reading her correctly. It certainly felt different having a woman and a kid in my truck, but it felt right.

I knew that I was going to try and win Joey a prize tonight, but what I didn’t think about happen were the four stuffed animals that we’ve been trying to carry while still enjoying the day. Before we ended the night with dinner on the lawn, I made a trip to the truck to drop off the animals. This would free up my arms so I could hold their hands again. 

My truck door locks at the same time the backdoor to the bar opens and my youngest brother Parker steps out. “Hey, I thought I heard somebody back here.”

I nodded in the direction of the bar, “The bar dead right now?”

“Yeah, a few people strolling in, but almost everybody is at the festival. Pretty sure it is going to be rocking tonight though. Too bad we’re down a bartender,” he said with a sly grin on his face.

“Don’t you dare guilt me, Parker. I haven’t taken off a Saturday in forever.”

“I’m just doing my brotherly due diligence and giving you a hard time. Are you at least having a good time on your day off?”

“I’m having a blast. I actually just came to drop off the stuffed animals that I won him.”

“When are you going to bring her over to meet the family?”

“Well, seeing as though she’s already met all of us….”

“You know what I mean.” 

I shrug, “I will, eventually. Maybe next weekend.”

“Why not tomorrow?”

“Because you’d like that too much.”

“You’re an asshole.” 

“Pretty much.” I quickly glance at my phone and see a text from Eden telling me they picked up food already.  “I have to get back. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Be good tonight, Fletch!” Parker says as I head back to Eden. I know he’s still giving me a hard time, so I do my brotherly duty and flip him the bird.

When I get back to the park I find Eden and Joey sitting on a blanket in the middle of the grassy area. They already hit up one of the food stands which only mildly annoys me because I wanted to treat her to dinner. “Hey, you were supposed to wait for me to get back to get dinner.”

Eden hands me a hot dog as I sit down next to her, “I know, but the line was getting longer and longer so I made an executive decision.” I guess she made a good point so I let her have this one. I just made a mental note to make sure I got in line for dessert before she could.

While we were eating, Eden and I listened to Joey go on and on about everything we’ve done today. It’s funny listening to him tell us about the day since we were both with him the entire time. I listen and react though because I want him to like me and I want him to talk to me like this. I can’t deny how happy it makes me.