"Really?" Everyone else had come home and worked for Dad. I was the only holdout.
"I started a side business where I film video games and play them on streaming services. I hid that from everyone for a long time, even Hazel."
"I didn't know you did that."
Brady nodded. "I only told them recently."
"I want Hayden to know her family."
"You came home for her."
"I'd like to work for the family business again. I don't know if that's a possibility. I hurt everyone when I left."
While we were talking, Dad approached with Hudson in tow.
"You planning to come back to work?" Dad asked.
"I'd like to. But I understand that not everyone might want that." If I needed to move off the island to find work, then I'd do it. "I have a little saved but I'll need to start looking for something soon."
Dad's brow furrowed. "Who said we wouldn't want you to work for Kingston Construction?"
"I think we need to have a talk before that happens," Hudson said gruffly.
"I know you were depending on me to be by your side, but the pressure was too much. I couldn't imagine taking over the business then. I needed something else."
"You could have talked to us," Hudson said, his jaw tight.
"I wasn't ready to take it on then, but I am now. I want to be part of our family's legacy."
Hudson shook his head.
"We'll have to talk about it," Dad finally said. "For now, we're happy to have you home. Along with Hayden."
"I want Hayden to get to know her family. I'd hoped that Billie would have brought her to more family events, but she thought it was my job. I can't blame her for thinking that. I should have been here more often." I should have gotten out of the military sooner. I couldn't believe I'd waited so long. I almost missed Hayden's childhood entirely.
"Hopefully, we'll be seeing more of both of you," Dad said.
Mom brought out a platter of graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate squares. I helped put marshmallows on the skewers and handed them out. It was nice to be back with my family. I'd missed this. The sheer number of us, which had grown since I'd been gone. Most of my brothers had found a significant other and appeared to be happy in their lives. It made me wonder if I could have something similar.
We ate s'mores and talked for a while. When it was nine, I saw Hayden yawn, so I gathered our things. We said our goodbyes, and Mom invited Hayden to go shopping with her sometime.
In the truck, it was quiet as we drove home. Inside the cottage, Hayden said good night and closed her bedroom door.
I was amped up after seeing my family, so I headed outside with a beer, wanting to listen to the sound of the waves. I'd missed this so much when I was gone. It had the power to soothe any mood.
A few seconds later, the slider opened, and Saylor came outside. "Do you mind if I join you?"
"Not at all." I shifted to make room for her on the couch.
"Are you okay?" she asked me.
"It was good."
"Did you talk to your father about what happened?"
"Hudson wasn't happy about it. I think he was hurt more than anyone when I left. Dad seemed more amenable to me coming back."
Saylor nodded. "It might take time."
