Page 119 of To Have and To Hold
“It’s an adventure cruise,” Z blurted, not giving Reese time to unfold the page. “Twelve days. Lots of excitement. Sharks and shit.”
Reese stared up at his brother, eyebrows high on his forehead. “Sharks?”
Z shrugged. “You’ll have fun. Plus, you can do it when your schedule allows.”
“Provided our boss doesn’t deny our vacation request,” Brantley noted as he took the sheet of paper from Reese.
“He won’t,” RT told them. “Just make the request through me.”
“Holy shit.” Brantley whistled. “This is incredible.”
Reese would have to take his word for it. He wasn’t sure he was on board with the shark thing at all.
Brantley stood and walked around the table to shake Z’s hand and then RT’s. Reese followed suit, but he hugged his brother instead.
“Thanks. For everything. Seriously.”
“Kid, I’m just glad you found your happy,” Z whispered, hugging him tight.
“Me, too.”
Z pulled back, swiped a hand down his shirt, and looked at RT. “Can we make them leave now?”
“We were about to head out anyway,” Reese told him.
Z sighed. “Oh, thank God. I’m ready to get horizontal and sleep for at least ten hours.”
“We’re headin’ back at dawn,” RT reminded him, then looked at Reese. “Congratulations. To both of you.”
“Thanks.”
As they walked off, Reese turned to Brantley. “We have to say goodnight to the parents, at least.”
Brantley grabbed him and tugged him in close, wrapping his arms around him. “Are you sure?”
Reese chuckled, pressing a kiss to Brantley’s lips. “If you want me to get naked in the near future, then yes.”
Brantley released him. “Don’t have to tell me twice.”
***
Brantley was relieved that there were nolimos or drivers they had to deal with in order to get home. After they said their goodbyes to everyone, they found Tesha, who was curled up asleep with Meghan beneath one of the tables. Although she looked cozy with Brantley’s niece, she had eagerly hopped up and headed for the door as soon as they mentioned going home.
And here they were.
“Am I supposed to carry you over the threshold?” Brantley joked as they got out of the truck.
“Probably.”
Brantley stopped and looked at Reese. “Don’t think I won’t.”
Reese laughed but then took off running toward the house. “Only if you can catch me.”
Brantley would’ve caught him if it weren’t for the silly dress shoes he had to wear. But the stupid shoes were like wearing ice skates, and since he had a few things in mind that didn’t involve a hospital and a cast, he opted to let Reese win.
He caught up quickly, though, because Reese had stopped only a few feet inside the house.
“Somethin’ wr—Holy shit.”
