“You know I’ll support you no matter what you do, but I’ll say this, your story deserves to be told.”
“Thank you, Carson. For everything. For giving me a safe haven when I had nowhere else to go, for being so supportive, for inspiring me just by being you, and for giving me a relationship that is more loving than I ever could’ve dreamed of.”
I have the urge to take advantage of the serenity of this moment, to make a grand gesture, but we’re interrupted by the alarm I set to remind us to leave on time for the airport.
“Let’s get cleaned up quick and then go get your mama,” I suggest as I roll onto my side to shut off my phone. “I bet Jolene can’t wait to wrap me in another hug,” I taunt, knowing Dakota gets fiery when I tease her about how much her mama has taken a liking to me.
“You think you’re just the sweetest thing since sliced pie,” she huffs under her breath as she marches up the steps to our bathroom.
Knowing I should just keep quiet, I do the exact opposite. “You’re tempting me with those sassy lips and swaying hips,” I tell her before racing after her up the steps. When we get to the top, I lift her over my shoulder and carry her into the bathroom, where we get lost in one another until our final alarm clock sounds, and we rush out the door to get on the road.
“How do you manage to stay so lean when you eat like that?” Brody questions, waving his fork at me across the table. We’re eating an early Thanksgiving meal at my parents’ house before we head out to do our traditional post-turkey skate. Tonight will be Dakota’s first time on the ice, and I’m stoked to teach her how to skate.
I shrug. “What can I say? I’m a growing boy who likes to eat.”
“He certainly does,” I hear Dakota murmur under her breath before shoving a forkful of mashed potatoes in her mouth. Chuckling to myself, I give her thigh three playful squeezes under the table. I'm not sure if I’m telling herI love youwith that one orwait until later.
“Hey, Carse, I didn’t realize you played chess. I was in Kota’s library you made her and saw the board. She said something smart about how you’re a chess master, so you’d kick my ass. Care to place a wager?” Brody asks.
I nearly choke on my bite of food as his words register. Taking a long pull of water, I turn and watch Dakota try to hide her laughter behind her napkin.
Setting my glass down with a thud, I clear my throat. “Sorry, the turkey must be a little on the dry side,” I sputter.
“Don’t talk about my turkey like that. I practically killed myself over this masterpiece all day,” Griff huffs out.
His reaction has Dakota and Mack bending over in hysterics—literal fucking tears stream down their cheeks.
“That chessboard is more for decoration. We’ve got another board I’m sure I could kick your ass on,” I tell Brody, trying to reclaim my dignity. There’s no chance in hell I’d play chess against anyone but Dakota with the chess board in her library, especially not her big brother.
“You’re on, Golden Boy. I can’t wait to make you eat your words after we get Kota Lynn out of urgent care. Texans are not meant for ice,” Brody taunts across the table.
Dakota turns to where Mack is cutting up more turkey for Cadence and asks, “I’m going to do just fine, aren’t I?”
Mack gives her a pitying smile, placing her hand on top of Dakota’s. “I’m sure you’ll do just fine. But I’d wear two pairs of leggings or sweats to add extra padding, just in case.”
“Was that your Minnesota nice version of ‘bless your heart’?” Dakota gasps.
My shoulders shake with barely restrained laughter. Brody howls obnoxiously, but it’s me who gets a swat to the chest.
“Do you want me to tell them about our little ride in the pasture earlier this month?” Dakota queries, making my laughter die on the spot.
I never want a soul to discover what happened when Brody’s horse, Blizzard, took off galloping after Buttercup.
“Play nice,” I pout.
“Same goes for you,” she retorts.
The rest of the meal is filled with our families getting to know each other. Griff’s dad, Jack, and his girlfriend had a delayed flight, so Griff and Mack left to pick them up from the airport. They’re going to all meet us at the outdoor rink.
After I finish my second slice of Dakota’s homemade pumpkin pie, I’m considering going in for a third when she wraps her arms around my shoulders from behind.
“You better quit while you’re ahead, or you won’t be able to teach me how to skate,” she murmurs in my ear.
I turn around and pull her into my lap, pressing a kiss against her temple before I ask, “How was that?”
Dakota said she was going to talk to Brody about everything that went down with Aaron while they ate dessert together on my parents’ four-season porch.
She sighs against my chest, and I rub her back in encouragement. “Better than I anticipated. He was hurt, rightfully so, that I didn’t tell him when things were happening. But he also told me he’s never seen me happier than I am right now.” Holding her against my chest, my heart swells with pride from her courage to have the tough conversation with her brother.
