Page 23 of Wrecked
Hawk’s grandfather ambled out of the kitchen toward them. When he saw Hawk, he broke into a grin. “There he is, and Addison too!” Grandad extended his long arms and she gave him a hug.
Tall and sturdy, Grandad had the physique of a man who’d spent his life working outside. He was healthy, fit, and always wore a big smile.
Then, Granddad pulled Hawk in for a bear hug. “How’s my number one?”
Hawk patted his grandfather’s back. “I’m good. How you doing?”
“The farmhouse istheplace to be. Family’s in the kitchen. The wedding party is upstairs. You should check in with Kerri. She’s been asking for you.”
“You wanna come up with me?” Hawk asked Addison.
“No, you go,” she replied. “I’ll hang with the Grands.”
Granddad laughed. “Come in and say hello before you go up.”
As they followed Grandad toward the kitchen, Addison murmured, “It’s like you’re a celebrity or something.”
Hawk glanced over and winked. The closer they got, the louder the chatter.
“Look who wandered in,” Grandad exclaimed as they entered the spacious country kitchen.
Heads turned. Conversations slowed, then stopped. Hawk’s gaze swept across the room, then darted back to two people sitting at the kitchen table. His mom and his brother.
His dad, standing nearby, broke into a smile. “You made it!”
“Of course, we did,” Hawk replied before hugging it out with his dad.
The next few minutes was a sea of hellos and hugs with Grandmom, his aunts, an uncle, a few cousins, and Lamar’s mom and dad.
Hawk’s sister, Kerri, had been dating Lamar for a few years. He, too, came from a large, close-knit family.
“So,” Lamar’s dad began, “are you and Addison next?”
“Next?” Addison asked.
“You know, tying the knot,” Lamar’s dad continued. “Gettin’ hitched.” He chuckled. “Or are you more the life-partner kinda couple?”
“Honey,” Lamar’s mom scolded.
“We’re just friends,” Addison replied.
“That’s good, too,” Lamar’s mom said.
“I think ‘just friends’ is terrible,” Hawk’s dad blurted. “We love Addison.”
“You’d have some beautiful babies,” Hawk’s aunt added.
Hawk flicked his gaze to his mom, then his brother. “No kids for me,” Hawk blurted.
Silence.
Ugly, awkward silence.
Fuck. I shouldn’ta said that.He hated when he went on auto-pilot.
Lamar sauntered into the room, beaming. “It’s my big day!”
Hawk pulled his future brother-in-law in for a hug. “Looking good, babe.”
