“It’s good to see ya,” Drake says as he pulls me in for a hug.
“Thanks for picking me up,” I reply, smacking him on the back as we pull apart.
He’s wearing a wide smile, dark eyes shining with the bright summer sun. “Of course. You didn’t think I’d leave my little brother stranded at the airport, did ya?” He picks up my military-issued duffle and tosses it into the back of his truck.
“Well, it was short notice.” I climb into the passenger seat.
He gets behind the wheel and twists the key in the ignition. “What’s your plans now that you’ve been honorably discharged?”
I take a deep breath and shrug. “No idea. I’ve been thinking about trying to get a job with the police or fire department.”
“You know you always have a place at the brewery,” he offers.
I nod. “I know, and I do plan on putting in some time there, but I need something with a little more…”
“Danger?” He laughs out.
I smirk. “I was thinking adventure.”
“Oh, right, right.” He nods along in agreement. “So, where ya staying?”
Again, I have absolutely nothing planned out. “I figured I’d just crash at the motel or something.”
“What? No way! You can stay at the house with me and Celeste.”
“You got the room?”
He nods. “Well, the spare bedroom is now Ty’s, but he usually sleeps in the bassinet in our room anyway. We can blow up an air mattress and throw it down on the floor.”
“How is my little nephew?” I ask, suddenly realizing how much I’ve missed. I’m the only single guy in the family now, and if it’s up to me, it will stay that way for a while. I need to learn to be on my own. I went from living at home with Dad to the military. I’ve never gotten the chance to be an adult.
“He’s good. Growing like a weed. In fact, you have a lot of new family to meet.”
“I know. I mean, I’m gone for a couple of years and the next thing I know, every single one of my brothers is reproducing. Even Wyatt. I never saw that coming.”
Drake laughs. “Yeah, neither did we. He was off the rails for a long time. But Destiny, she knows how to reel him in. So, you’ll stay with us?”
I nod. “Yeah, for a little while. Just until I find a place of my own.”
“You know, you could be like the rest of us and take your plot of land. Build something all your own.”
“I plan to…one of these days. Right now, I just want to relax, unwind, and enjoy catching up with some friends. I want to make sure I want to stay here. I mean, Wyatt went out and traveled the world. I haven’t seen anything worth seeing.” I saw a lot of shit I wish I didn’t though. Most of it still gives me nightmares. Hopefully, I can keep them at bay.
He reaches over and pats my shoulder. “You can stay as long as you’d like. Colton insisted on fixing up this old truck for Celeste, but she won’t drive the thing, so you can use it until you find something else, if you want.”
I smile over at him. “Thanks, man. This was all so spur of the moment that I really haven’t had time to plan anything.”
“No need to thank me. I’m just glad to finally have you back home.”
The rest of the drive to his house is quiet. We talk here and there, but mostly, I just gaze out the window, noticing how much everything has changed since the last time I’ve been home. It seems like forever ago, even though it’s only been a few years.
Drake points out Colton’s new house as we drive by, and he makes sure to show me the new addition to the brewery he’d built. He tells me about some of the business at the brewery, but to be honest, that never interested me much. Growing up and being the youngest, I spent a lot of my time at the brewery with Dad. The other guys had already chased off most of the babysitters that Dad had hired, so when it came to me and Wyatt, there wasn’t anyone around. Dad had no other option but to take us to work with him. I think I spent more time at that brewery than I did our house. The day I was finally old enough to be trusted