Page 42 of Burning Skies
At least that douchebag took her to dinner and sent her flowers. That’s better than how I’ve treated her.
I pinch the bridge of my nose and close my eyes. What am I doing here? I’ve never stressed out over a woman. Why am I so strung out about this one?
My phone buzzes with a text on our family chat.
Maverick: Hope y’all are coming tonight. It’s gonna be a good game. Thought we could barbecue afterward.
Shit. Forgot about his game.
Rhett: I’m only barbecuing if you win.
Baylee: Don’t be grumpy. Of course Mav’s team is going to win! Go Wolves!
Rhett: This is how I motivate my little brother.
Maverick: *laughing emoji* Consider me motivated.
Jace: We have a gig in Austin, so I can’t make it, but will you save me some food?
Paige: I’ll make you a plate. But eat it. Last time, it grew mold in the fridge because you forgot.
Jace: *face palm emoji* Sorry about that!
I glance at my watch. If I go home and grab a quick nap, I can still make Mav’s game. I always try to catch them if I’m not at the firehouse. With one last look at Honey’s dark apartment, I decide this is a lost cause anyway.
Me: Count me in. I’ll meet y’all at the football field.
A few hours later, I pull up to the now packed parking lot at the high school. Yawning, I find a spot a block over and walk to the football field where I find Baylee, little Leo, and Baylee’s mom Sylvia. I give the girls hugs and then hold out my arms to Leo, who makes grabby hands for me. “Bruh!” he shouts.
I chuckle. Neither Leo nor Ella can say Beau yet. “Hey, buddy. I swear you’ve grown since I saw you last week.”
Baylee smiles as I throw her son in the air. “He loves you.”
“I love him too.” I’ll never get tired of his laugh. “Feels like he’s always been a Walker.”
Her smile grows. “Mav says Leo’s going to be tall. He’s in the top fifth percentile.”
I tickle Leo’s belly. “Are you gonna be a football player like your dad and uncles?” We all played a little football at some point, but Maverick was the star college player. It’s pretty cool that he now coaches at our old high school.
I offer to carry Leo up to our seats since he’s getting big, and Baylee, Sylvia, and I make our way up the stands. We wave to Rhett, who’s down in the first row with his kiddos. He likes to sit close to Paige ’cause she’s on the field with the cheerleaders.
Once we’re seated, Baylee turns to me and whispers, “Are you okay with Honey being in the wedding? Rhett hasn’t said anything, but I got the impression he was taken off guard.”
Is it going to make me crazy being in a wedding with Honey while she’s dating that asshole? Absolutely. But I won’t let my personal issues interfere with Baylee and Maverick’s day. “I’m fine. Honey’s a great girl. I’m glad y’all are friends.”
Her eyes widen. “Really? You think she’s great? Because whenever you two are around each other?—”
“We antagonize the shit out of each other?”
She laughs. “Something like that.”
“I promise to be on my best behavior. We all want to make your wedding special.” I glance around to make sure no one’s listening. “But just because the Walkers don’t have an issue with it doesn’t mean the McAllisters will approve.”
Her lips twist. “I’m afraid of that, but Honey says it’s not a big deal.”
I hope she’s right.
Baylee nudges me. “How bad was that fire the other day? Where was it?”
