moonligcts

[moonligcts]

JC couldn't help but notice that specific look in the others' eyes. It made him want to comment on it, but he knew their current dynamic didn't call for it. So, instead, he gave him a smile. A somewhat of I understand shown through eyes. ❛❛I'd say you got some of the baby perks. Sometimes, it did come in handy.❜❜ he smiled softly, if only to make them smile.

He laughed and nodded enthusiastically. ❛❛I'm so serious. Actually, I've been waiting to find an adventure partner. The ones I used to have are deep underwater. Already, I got such an honored title. We need to do all the adventure stuff. I'm off for the next two weeks, so how about we get our own version of adventure week going on? If you're not busy.❜❜

He had to think about it. This wasn't like his beloved Louisiana, where he knew it like the back of his hand. ❛❛It's an hour out of town. I have to commute but not too bad, traffic wise.❜❜a smirk crossed his features as he chuckled. ❛❛Not a fan of seafood? I'm learning so much already.❜❜

Jaylen gave JC a sideways smile, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'm the last one. I wasn't exactly planned. My mom fostered me when I was seven, and then legally adopted me a year or two later." He was too young to remember all the details. He just knew Evelyn had asked if he wanted to stay, and of course, he'd said yes. Anything else was a formality. "I don't know, I think if anything, my mom went easy on me for a while because of the foster thing. She wanted me to be part of the family." Clayton had been a little less kind, but they were kids then. It was water under the bridge.

"Dude, seriously?" Jaylen's face lit up, like it always did when anyone asked to be an adventure buddy. "Yes! Absolutely. I love kayaking, and riding ATVs and camping and stuff. First dogs, and now kayaking. I think you're the one who just became my favorite person," he said with a laugh. "Granada, uh, where is that?" Jaylen asked. He'd done a lot of travelling in his time, explored local woods, parks and lakes, but he wasn't sure he'd been to that one. "Seafood's okay, but I definitely go chicken or steak first. I guess I'm simple like that."

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❛❛Yeah, I gathered that. We all know mom is a bitch.❜❜ he sighed and tried to breathe through his nose as Isaac had clearly taken up resident bad boy a little too close to heart. ❛❛Do you always put a wall just to make people think you're an asshole? Do you think it makes you special just because you can put it up? I saw the concern over your brother, even the way you looked at the mechanic. I get you're being protective but you're barking up the wrong fucking tree. I don't choose my assignments. I'm here for work and no, I don't want anything from your sister in law. It is not fault we run into each other. I haven't thought about it. Not like there will be a chance to get her to talk to me.❜❜

❛❛Laurel being pregnant is safe with me. I am not planning on running an advertisement. I am not fucking with your family but I'll ask the same of you.❜❜ he wanted the quiet life and after their multiple run ins, jc was tired of this. Isaac was already on his list of shitty people he'd rather forget being in town.

He sighed and passed him a bottle of water. After all, he wasn't raised in a barn. ❛❛I'm curious, though. Why are you advocating for Benjamin Thorn? Isn't the story that you hadn't been here long?❜❜

Man, this guy was insistent. Or really, lost it. Isaac still couldn't quite decide. Though, as he pulled out his wallet and showed him his ID, he couldn't quite make sense of it. Almost like Isaac had lost the ability to read (part of him wished that was the case). Isaac didn't have much of a response, so he listened to JC talk about his mom and his sister, that one he did know about. Still, it didn't click together. Laurel, nor her father had ever mentioned another sibling. Then again, they weren't the most talkative about that, the room going quiet when Elizabeth Thorn came up.

Though, to that, he did need to scoff, if only to keep himself from laughing. This all sounded like one of those telenovelas he'd catch with Val. Next thing you know, there'd be some other wild plot twist that left everyone with mouths agape. "Abandoned you guys? Not the way we know it." Through their Nan and the family's proximity to the Thorns, Isaac had heard the whole tale and how it all went down. Nan didn't take too kindly to Isaac's initial feelings and thoughts on Laurel leaving without a trace. Isaac didn't make a mention of the favorite child, that much was true - anyone could see. "Well how was I supposed to know you're also a Thorn? No, I wouldn't like that, but I'm not coming to town being all shady."

Isaac just rolled his eyes at the only biological uncle thing, what an asshole. Listening to him describe the woman he half-remembered, it kind of settled to Isaac that perhaps, while he was not becoming JC's number one fan, he was probably right. Isaac wasn't one hundred percent sold yet, debating whether requesting a birth certificate was too much. "Yeah that bedside manner is none other than your mom, guess it rubbed off on me from her brief time here. Blink and you miss kind of shit. Right, she hated small town life and you're still believing her bullshit about being abandoned by Benjamin Thorn? Yeah, okay." Now, Isaac wasn't too sure when he became the Thorn's attorney, or number one defender, but he knew a shit show like this would eventually affect his brother, and that was impossible. Not an option, especially not after his possible news of another child. "Okay, so you're a weirdo with a last name. Were you planning to do anything with that, or just creep around the town and hope she confesses she knows you after all?"

[moonligcts]

❛❛I still find that really cool. You have a dairy farm. It's like you can trace back your family line or whatever. I suppose it wouldn't be as cool to you since the novelty would wear off. By the way, I really liked your July flavors. ❜❜ he could relate. ❛❛Not many people are, though, so you're not alone. I ask these questions, and I find myself not really knowing what I'd do if I had to change careers.❜❜ he could do many things, but the passion would severely lack.

He laughed and nodded his head a little. ❛❛Both? That's a lot of horses. Paradise to you, huh? The ones you train, do you ever feel sad when they're sent off?❜❜ he'd for sure get attached to the point of not wanting to let them go. ❛❛Do you have any favorites?❜❜

"If I wasn't doing this, I doubt my parents would let me do too much else unless I was helping out with the dairy business, and even that'd involve horses, just working the cattle on the ranch rather than just doing the training full-time." Beck couldn't imagine doing anything else with his life. "I wasn't ever gonna be an office kinda guy." Being a horse trainer didn't guarantee money, far from it. Beck was lucky he had good resources around him, but it woulda meant nothing if he couldn't hold his own.

"You mean my own horses, or the company horses?" Beck asked. There wasn't really a clear answer to the question; it was changing all the time. "I got about eight of my own, few on my folks' farm that're owned by the family. Got about four to six I'm usually training to be sold on, and the ranch has dozens, hundreds, including all the broodmares and stallions and foals." Some temporary residents, some owned by other people and boarded on the ranch for training of breeding, ones that were working up to being sold. It was a whole operation. "I don't go nuts 'cause I love it. Sounds cheesy, but it's just what I do, what I wanna do."

[moonligcts]

❛❛She does.❜❜he pulled out his wallet and opened it up to show his ID. In clear letters, Thorn was his last name. ❛❛Our sister is the middle one. Stayed with mom and I. Benjamin doesn't know. Mom was pregnant after he abandoned us. Or I should say once he picked Laurel as the favorite child. No, I'm not attracted to her. Stop that. It's gross. We share DNA. It's creepy, or would you take people asking if you and your brother had a thing going too kindly? Or your sisters?❜❜

He nodded and hummed. ❛❛Sorry to break it to you, but you're not the only biological uncle.❜❜ he rolled his eyes, knowing he didn't believe a word. ❛❛With our mom, Liz Thorn. Brunette. Hazel eyes. Tall enough to pass off as a model. Dimples that Laurel and I got.❜❜ Height was the second thing they got. ❛❛Hated the small town life. Married young only because she had Laurel. Nothing says ready like a bun in the oven. Bedside manner is like poking yourself with a fork. You know what, you remind me our mom. The attitude makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.❜❜ he sassed. ❛❛Any more questions for your test?❜❜

"Sure that works," he was quick to agree. Even if unreasonable. When he said the secret was safe, Isaac felt his shoulders relax for a moment. "Well, I only need to know that, that you won't share shit early. His face did show some sense of disgust, but Isaac couldn't be too sure. Hearing him talk, he had to chuckle to not fully laugh out loud. "See, now I know you're bullshitting me. Laurel doesn't have a brother. She has one sister, younger, but no brother. She doesn't remember you? Dude, her father has never even mentioned a son. So again - what the hell is your issue? If you're weirdly attracted, I mean to each their own, but you'll need to find some way to knock it out and honestly? Come up with a better cover story, because that is absolutely ridiculous."

His frown grew, brows almost knitted together. "She is not your niece. You and Laurel had a life back in California?" This guy had lost his marbles for sure. Isaac knew she had spent some time out there, he remembered practically hating her for it - the way she left without saying anything broke his brother's heart. "So, what? You were out there with whoever raised her during that time?" Purposely vague to see how much he really knew.

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JC couldn't help but chuckle being thoroughly amused by her. ❛❛Better you know now than later?❜❜ he gave her a cheeky smile. ❛❛At least you know what you're getting into.❜❜ he offered as if that made it any better. ❛❛What are you so worried about, though? Didn't you allude to the fact that you can do this with your eyes closed. Sounds like someone is not as confident as they seemed. ❜❜he sing songed and smirked. ❛❛saving that for later. Doesn't crack under pressure.❜❜ JC made a note in the air as if this was seriously something to contemplate.

His eyes lingered for a bit longer as they stayed on her teeing it up. ❛❛Lavender honey? That's good. I was more thinking more of the lines of Coconut & Pandan, Goat Cheese & Fig, Salted Caramel & Bourbon, Earl Grey & Lemon Zest, and my personal favorite Black Sesame. ❜❜

Adri squinted at him, arms crossed loosely over the neon putter she’d chosen just to match her top. “Hate to break it to you, but that’s cold. Ruthless. Downright unromantic.” Her voice was playful, but her smirk gave away the fact that she was already calculating angles and wind speed like she was lining up a championship shot. “Good thing I don’t choke under pressure.”

She sauntered up to the tee with exaggerated swagger, then paused to glance back at him with one brow raised. “But if I do make it, I want that scoop to be something bougie. Like lavender honey or pistachio gelato. Maybe dark chocolate raspberry. None of that basic-ass vanilla.”

[moonligcts]

❛❛Neither. I was team Klaus. He was misunderstood and not like I go for the villains or condone what he did. He had character development. He was interesting and that made him fun to watch. Stefan was whiny and a little bit of a control freak. Damon was just everyone's favorite and he was overrated. Elena wasn't a favorite either. Katherine was a little better but that whole thing lasted way too long. Dopplegäners storyline should haven't taken two seasons arc and then some.❜❜ he had entirely too much knowledge over the Vampire Diaries. It was both bittersweet to think back on. ❛❛Why did you like Stefan? Was it the character or his actions?❜❜

JC smiled, though it looked a little pained. The thought of a five year not enjoying cake on their day was horrible. He couldn't imagine a more soul crushing feeling than that. ❛❛We could go down to Blue Bonnet if you're not busy?❜❜ Luckily, he knew Eli wasn't in and wouldn't be since he had gone on a break. According to his employees, who swore he'd be back the first week of August. All things he had gotten when he talked to them for a bit the morning he went to grab his fresh cinnamon rolls. ❛❛We'll get five year old Sara her justice. ❜❜

❛❛Gummy clusters are the best. I'm partial to the blueberry ones. Have you tried sour punches? They look like straws.❜❜ he chuckled and nodded his head. ❛❛I love sperm whales. Did you know they sleep vertically? ❜❜ useless facts coming in handy in this very moment. He looked into the phone screen and gave an appreciative smile. ❛❛Are you sure you aren't a doc? Magic healer of some sort? Thank you.❜❜

He nodded, excitement showing in his features. ❛❛Of course. A chance to be nerdy and get paid for it. Sign me up. I actually have to go down so we can carpool. Instead of using two different cars. You can pick the music. This will be the part where I will judge your taste in music. Lunch will be provided. It's not half bad cafeteria food.❜❜

So, her Canva subscription was gonna come in handy, here. Shirts and pens for The Klutz Diaries! Sara was an artist; she could come up with a logo for them in no time. Some spin on The Vampire Diaries font. JC bought the show up, too - their minds hovering on the same wavelength. "What, you're sayin' you didn't like The Vampire Diaries? You can't tell me if you were Team Stefan or Team Damon?" Sara gasped in mock outrage. She was a Team Stefan girlie, admittedly, but the more JC got to know about her the more that would start to make sense. The more stable, emotionally intelligent and safe brother? Yeah, sign her up. Bad boys didn't do it for her, even in fiction.

What a way to welcome in your fifth year. Fuck. He didn't even know the whole story, that her mom had passed away six weeks prior to that party and that birthday, and his words still rang true. Stung more than he ever would've intended them to. He suggested she have a redo, and so she focused on that instead of the dark, swirling thoughts of her mom that tried to sweep over her. "Nope, no cake for five-year-old Sara." She pouted, bottom lip dramatically poked out; decidedly overcompensating with humor. "If you're offering to buy me a cake, I'm in." Dale Hardware admittedly had a lot on offer, but they'd probably have to change locations if they wanted to indulge themselves with cake and sweets. Bluebonnet Bakery, perhaps? One of Sara's other favorite places in town.

JC's table story sounded even fucking sadder than her five-year-old birthday blunder. It looked like she wasn't the only one here with mommy issues, and his were definitely warranted - being yelled at and made to cry in the middle of a department store at the ripe age of ten. Sara's face genuinely fell into a frown, her hand reaching out to thumb his wrist for comfort, driven by nothing other than pure sympathy and the need to validate his experience. "That's awful, JC." She stroked the back of his hand with her finger, eyebrows drawn together. "Not embarrassing at all, actually. Not for you, anyway." For his mom, though? Yeah. Sara didn't think she had the capabilities of being a parent at this time in her life because of her chronic health issues, but damnit, hearing things like this made her change her mind. She'd be a great fucking mother, actually. And sure, it triggered something in her, the emotional abuse reminiscent of her dad and Izzy, but fuck... JC deserved better than that. Every child deserved better than that. "Thank you for telling me that." For being open and vulnerable when he didn't have to.

Nerds the candy. "Shit, Gummy Clusters are so good." Sara said, almost automatic. Wow. Now she wanted some. Needed some. The notion of it all made her think of Razzles from 13 Going on 30. She needed a trip to the candy store, stat. It's like Christmas but better. She grinned at his description, 'cos she could relate. Almost anything was better than Christmas, in her eyes.

"I like your tangent talking." Sara replied once he'd finished up telling her about his digs and the thorough process he went through for research and verification. He sat still while she worked his neck over with the antiseptic and a few cotton balls. It didn't take very long; Sara was gently pressing a band-aid against his injured skin by the time he was telling her about Underwater: The Prehistoric Sea Beneath Us and The Titanic Experience in Dallas. "It sounds incredible! I love this for you, honestly. I mean, I can hardly swim, but I bet diving is otherworldly. Do you have a favorite sea creature?" She asked, balling up the empty, torn medical packages and zipping up the first aid kit. "You're all done. How'd I do?" She grabbed her phone out of her pocket, opened her camera app and held the selfie camera up to his neck to get his approval on her dressings. "Okay, so I definitely need to see both of these exhibits. I need to see your digs!" Sara smiled, clapping her hands in front of her face and leaning them against her cheek. JC offered to get her a ticket, and even though he most likely didn't get sales commissions, Sara wanted to pay for it on her own. Pay your local artists, and all that.

"Would you wanna go with me? I'd love for you to point out all the things you discovered." She didn't mind taking the drive to Dallas, traffic or not. She was genuinely excited about this. "It doesn't have to be a date or anything." She added, just in case. Yeah, JC was flirting with her earlier, but that didn't mean he actually wanted to flirt with her, or date her. Sara was still so messy-headed after everything that had happened with Corey, if she was being honest. Her date with Maggie didn't go anywhere, either. Neither did her one-night stand with Benny. And she'd never say no to having more friends. She'd never say no to see how things unfolded. She was just going to be smart about it this time. Slow. Not be ruled and driven by her emotions, and her constant need to romanticize everything.

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He shrugged at him. ❛❛What do you want me to do about it? Not go to work just in case I run into your family? ❜❜ JC sighed, making his nostrils flare up. He understood the protectiveness but he wasn't the one accosting him at home. ❛❛Your secret is safe. I don't care. I may be new in town but I'm no gossip.❜❜

❛❛Interest? Ew, no.❜❜ his face immediately came to the forefront. ❛❛Gross. No. If you must know. I'm her long-lost forgotten baby brother. Don't worry though, she doesn't remember me.❜❜ he shook his head at the ridiculous protective nature this guy carried. ❛❛Technically, she's my niece, too. I didn't even know she was here. I got relocated for work, and it wasn't until I landed here that I had found her. We had a life back in California. ❜❜

"Sure, if I wanted to go through the social motions of getting to know you. And, I don't." Isaac was very particular about the people he knew and kept close. Looking at this guy, he suspected that maybe, there was some potential there. If he didn't have such a sour impression of him already.

"I already told you why I stopped by. But, you're here giving vague answers and being dodgy as hell." He had to know he was giving that vibe, right? It wasn't Isaac's imagination. It was hilarious to watch him justify himself, without Isaac prompting him. Yeah, that was weird. It was like talking to someone who's guilty while they're trying to convince everyone they're innocent before anyone even asked. Isaac hadn't practiced criminal law in a long while, but he was still familiar. "Yeah, sure the experience. The town's small, I'll give you that, but it's not small enough for the amount of run ins you've had already. I didn't call you a stalker, but funny that's the word that came to mind for you." Isaac rolled his eyes, words paused as if he debated believing him. "No, there's something else." Well, yes the job thing was probably right. "But, you're here for something else. That can't be all. Now, what's your interest in my sister in law, and my niece, by extension?

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❛❛Here's what I think. Ready? You get that hole in one, and I'll add a double scoop to the ice cream promise.❜❜ Adri was going to get that ice cream regardless. This was just a fun incentive. Since he had come back from his trip down from Austin, he had spent a little bit more time with Adri, doing fun shit that got them away from their normal day to day. He had promised to give Isaac a few days to digest the news before he came down to the winery to have a talk with Laurel. This gave them the necessary space. ❛❛If you don't make it, then it drops down to just one scoop. ❜❜

@recklessreyes

[moonligcts]

JC sighed. On one hand, he knew Kit was right. The downfall of a small town besides everyone knowing everyone's business was the fact that no one could avoid people. It was almost like playing six degrees from Kevin Bacon, Texas edition. ❛❛Has anyone ever told you they hate when you make sense? I know I can't avoid her forever, but it feels like I'm walking into spiderwebs. That's what I'm catching onto. Haven't heard one bad thing since I've been here. Mom being a liar wouldn't surprise me but you'd think Laurel would at least recognize me. She was nine like you can't claim you forgot about a brother you used to play with.❜❜ he sighed. ❛❛Okay, so, any details on the husband? I know he owns the bakery in town and a flower shop is owned by a sister. I'm not a creep just people talk.❜❜

"Man, you say that like I got a choice in the matter," Kit said with a laugh that trailed off when he realized JC was serious. He figured he could do his best, but he sure as hell wasn't going to go promising anything about not spillin' the beans. Kit's face held a look of slight surprise as JC spoke, trying to follow everything he was saying. "You're not goin' to be able to avoid her around here, man. Blackstone Ridge is too fucking good at pushing people together, it's got like a sixth sense or some shit." Did cities and towns have five senses to begin with? Kit wasn't sure, but he left it alone. There were bigger fish to fry. "I'll tell you this much, I don't think Laurel Deveaux has a mean bone in her body, man. She's the nicest person I know of, like I think she'd give my momma a run for her money. Not to say your momma lied, but, do you think maybe the story got a little mixed up?"

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There was nothing quite like seeing other people doing what they were meant to do. It may have been a little naive, but he did love seeing people in their element. ❛❛Did you ever have a plan B?❜❜ he couldn't imagine a plan b being anywhere close to being a dream. ❛❛Or were you an all or nothing type of guy?❜❜ he figured he'd drop a pretty penny and was glad he factured in the expense. ❛❛That sounds good to me. I will refer to your expertise here. Being out in the pasture will help her get used to other horses and maybe even help socialize her more.❜❜

❛❛Let me ask, how many horses do you have here, and how do you not go nuts?❜❜ He went crazy with three dogs and a horse. He couldn't imagine what it'd be like to be around more than two horses every day.

"This? Training horses?" Beck asked, making sure he understood the question right. "Couldn't imagine doin' anything else with my life." He'd been raised on the farm, working the cows and the goats on horseback. He'd just had a natural way with them, and he loved them. He was good at it and genuinely enjoyed it. Wasn't always big money. He'd only started making good profit over the last couple years, but Beck wouldn't change it for the world. "It's $750 a month, which includes all your boarding, feed, and five to six days training a week. She'd be on pasture with the other horses if you're good with that. We got stall options too, which would have regular turn out, but I prefer 'em to be out in the fields doing their thing."

Beck let Maly relax and cool off. She hadn't even really broken a sweat, so she wasn't physically pushed too hard during the lesson. He'd mounted her, walked a circle, and the rest had been ground work, problem solving, lungeing her. "I got you, man. She's a good horse. She got a kind eye. See?" Beck reached out to pet her nose again, and she nuzzled into his hand. "She just gotta figure out the scary stuff ain't so scary."

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❛❛Got my assignment for the month.❜❜ he sighed and turned his head over to give her a small smile. ❛❛Don't get me wrong, I love to travel. Sights to see are incredible, but I don't love the long hours. The sleepless nights to get research prepared to go live. It also means you'll finally be able to bartend without distractions,❜❜ he made a small joke on that. ❛❛No,❜❜ he was very aware on the next words that came out of his mouth. The air was stripped of their earlier teasing banter. All that remained was a small bout vulnerability. ❛❛please don't think that. I loved it. Even thinking about doing it again. Maybe sans every patron in town. ❜❜ a private moment for the two. He didn't like everyone knowing his business.

The Cinderella jab made him chuckle. ❛❛I did a year working at a restaurant as a busboy. Mopping was totally my game.❜❜ he left out the part where the only reason he was put to work was because his mom didn't want him asking her for money for his college tuition. If he wanted to go to a fancy school, he'd have to make it there on his own.

Adri gave him a once over, like she was trying to decide whether or not she truly believed him. "Good with a mop, huh? I'll believe it when I see it. Hope you clean better than you kiss." There she was again, just half daring him to prove her wrong again. She noticed the shift when JC glanced at his phone. It wasn't a big shift, but it did catch her attention. She felt a little sad, but wasn't sure why. PRobably shouldn't get involved, if it was important he'd say something.

Instead, she caught his eye and held it, brown eyes softening. "You okay?" Adri tuned, deciding to busy herself by organizing some freshly washed drink glasses. "I can't tell if you're speechless because I just have that strong of an effect on you or if something's actually wrong." She didn't say that she was worried. She couldn't be. He was just a guy. It was just a kiss, and she wasn't gonna drop to one knee and propose. Adri was too guarded for that shit. But...there was something about him. Made her feel like it might all be okay if....never mind. The brunette cleared her throat, weirdly thinking about how Benny would be satisfied knowing JC was with her as opposed to her being all alone. "Or for all I know, I'm a horrible kisser, and you're gonna never set foot in this bar because of that, but also because I put you to work like you're fucking Cinderella." The vulnerability spilled out, and Adriana ducked her head a little. She was not nervous.

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❛❛Jealousy type? I would say I'd relate, but growing up was mostly me being an only child. Physically. ❜❜ It was a little complicated to say he wasn't an only child but also was an only child. ❛❛You're the last one? So, does it feel good? I hear the baby of the family get perks.❜❜ Again, technically, he was speaking on himself, but then again, it was different. A laugh escaped him as he felt his eyes crinkle at them. ❛❛You literally have stumped him on nicknames.❜❜

An adventure guide made him smirk. ❛❛You've just become my new favorite person. Kayaking, huh? I've been looking for a partner, and it seems like you fit the bill. Haven't kayaked in a while, though. That is fair. Most people don't. It's just the study of humankind. Most people would say it's boring work since museums aren't their spots to be. You should come down to Granada Conservation Park. That's where I work.❜❜ Jaylen accepting his dinner offer made him smile. The question made him think for a moment. ❛❛I'm a huge seafood fan. But, I'm also very basic and love a good greasy burger. How about you?❜❜

"Oh, he wasn't actually being like, hateful about it. We were just kids. Like, I was seven when they took me in, and he was a little older, but my two older sisters were fully teenagers and either at college or about to be at college at the time, so I think he figured he finally got to be the only child once they grew up, and then along I came. He wasn't the only boy anymore. He wasn't the baby anymore. Just clashed." Jaylen nodded. "Yeah, we grew up. I still call him Mud sometimes, though," he laughed. "He has to think up of something else witty to clap back at me with." He wasn't sure if he and Clay would ever be best friends, but they were family. After everything, losing their mom, it was important they stick together.

"Yeah, I'm an adventure guide, which can be anything, really. Camping. ATV riding. Kayaking. Hiking. I'll be so honest with you. I have no idea what a marine-whatever-you-said does. It just sounds like something you go to school a lot for." Jaylen knew well enough that even people who were smart on paper could make dumb decisions. Maybe especially them. He had done outdoor retreats with teams of executives for huge corporate entities, and some of them were the stupidest folks he'd ever met. "Dinner?" Jaylen offered a lopsided smile, his sunkissed features lighting up at the offer. "Yeah, for sure! I'd love that. What kinda stuff do you like to eat?"

[moonligcts]

❛❛There is such a thing as asking. Isn't that how people usually get to know each other? Unless you're closed off, then I can't help you there, buddy. ❜❜ and that was what pissed him off. JC wasn't going around town giving people things to gossip about. He kept to himself. Hardly ever went out, and when he did, he avoided people like the plague. Work kept him busy enough so people didn't seek out more than they needed to know. It also helped that he didn't stay in town longer than two days a week. He was always off doing something or other.

JC smiled and hummed, almost like he was going to laugh. ❛❛How is that even applicable to what you're doing here at my house? ❜❜ Frankly, being dodgy gave more to assume than if he had just been honest, but Isaac wasn't giving him the best friend vibes, so saw no reason to get him out of the doubts.

❛❛Getting close to your family? I didn't do anything. If you're talking about the experience. They came to my work. I didn't call them like I was some sort of stalker. My deal?❜❜ a scoff escaped him. ❛❛I got transferred for my job. There wasn't some ulterior motive to that other than if I want to continue eating and sleeping under a roof, bills need to be paid.❜❜

JC didn't answer and Isaac wondered why he even mentioned it to begin with. He observed the man before him, seeing his lips form a tight line. He didn't want to laugh, did he? He was debating letting him, Isaac understood that, but he really was not trying to talk about this outside.

Was this guy not a family fan or what? Isaac only wondered when he gritted his teeth. He shrugged in response. "How would I know? I don't know shit about you," which unnerved him. "For all I know, you just spill the news because you like to gossip. That's the whole point, I don't know you." And, there it was - providing his point. A humorless chuckle fell from him, "And you're asking what you gain from spilling news. Look at you being well-informed on the town. You don't have siblings, do you?" His stupid question kind of gave that away. "But, if you must know for your next town update, we're working through our differences. And you, where the hell do you get off getting close to my family? What the hell's your deal?" For someone who worked out of town, he sure made a choice to move to Blackstone Ridge. There had to be something to that.

[moonligcts]

JC didn't grace that with an answer, which he knew was what Isaac was looking for. The more he saw of him, the more the words rang true. He did walk around hoping to piss off the right person to condemn his own fucked bias. The Amazon package zinger threatened to make him laugh, though he zipped his lips in tight line. He hated to admit that was a good one. His hand tapped the door frame and stepped aside to let him through, closing the door behind him.

His eyes were on the verge of rolling hard as he made it sound so business like. Moving over to make room for him, he gestured for the seat. ❛❛Family business,❜❜ he gritted. If only Isaac knew how right that was. ❛❛What exactly do you think I gain from spilling the news? To who exactly, as a matter of fact.❜❜ he looked over at Isaac and sighed. ❛❛hey, so funny thing. Don't you get whiplash from one day putting your brother down and the next protecting him? ❜❜

"Didn't realize picking out one pregnancy test was the favor of the century," Isaac replied dryly. Geez, whatever happened to hello, surprised to see you, or hell - even, what are you doing here? Any of these would work. Instead, this...JC guy was being weird, yet again. "You're going to let me in or just keep me here like an abandoned Amazon package?" Isaac remembered him from the festival a few weeks back. How focused he had been talking to Laurel, barely acknowledging him (though Isaac had also kept his distance that day). Still, it was weird. His hyper-focus, the way that from one day to another, JC was everywhere. Peach festival, that place his sister in law took the kids to for the titanic exhibit, then the store. If Isaac listened to his instincts, he'd consider some odd stalker situation here. Or, perhaps, he was just ridiculously annoyed that his niece couldn't stop talking about the exhibit and all the cool things her friend JC said. "I'm here to check in on last night, the store - that's not something we're really advertising. It's family business, you know. My brother and his wife are trying to keep this quiet, to enjoy their moment." All this to say? "I guess I'm just here to confirm you're not going to put an ad on the paper, or something. That's the big favor, I suppose."

[moonligcts]

❛❛I'm all out of favours.❜❜ he said as the normal greeting was nowhere to be found. JC shook his head as he saw Isaac Deveaux standing outside of his door. ❛❛Whatever it is, count me out.❜❜ The absolute clown show was the pharmacy section of the late night store in Austin. The odds of bumping into the three men, he'd seen Nathan in town, and of course Eli, his sister's husband at a store in the middle of the fucking night was apparently not that high. It seemed like small-town vibes followed them around. He already knew way too much, and he felt weird about knowing personal shit. He knew none of the three guys were the ones pregnant, and that was already too much information. Though, his morbid curiosity did have him in a choke hold. He opened the door and sighed. ❛❛Why are you here?❜❜ The last he heard and not by his own choice was that Isaac lived at the winery.

@isarivera

[moonligcts]

He stared at her, almost like she was being studied. His heart was trying to catch up but his mind kept going back. Blue eyes sparkled with amusement as he bit his bottom lip. ❛❛I'm actually really good with a mop.❜❜ It was hard for him to turn it off. His combative nature shone through. He loved being a contraian. Before Adriana really put him to work, which he was sure Benny would just give him the annoyed care bear stare, he raised his hands up in defense. ❛❛Little Angel,❜❜ he gestured a halo and smirked. ❛❛I'll be good.❜❜

Eyebrows furrowed slightly as confusion etched in his features but made no move to leave. He sat back down and fiddled with his work phone. The new schedule had dropped and saw a trip had been set when he was just about halfway settled into town. He'd give this the necessary attention later when he was alone and back at home.

She took a breath that tasted like him. Then another, steadier one—tucking her hair behind her ear like it hadn’t just gotten mussed by that kiss. Her lips tingled. Her heart was doing something deeply unprofessional. Adriana didn’t move back right away. She lingered in the space between them, swearing her ears were popping like fireworks. “I’m gonna need you to stop being so distracting, or I’m gonna have to really, actually cut you off and make you mop.” Her voice was light, teasing, but there was something real behind it. Her smile stayed, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes the way it had before. Because now? Now she felt him. Not just the kiss—but the weight of the moment.

She cleared her throat and took a single step back, smoothing her clothes, already pretending like she was fine. Like she hadn’t just broken her own damn rules. “ Um, you… sit tight. I’ll be back.”

[moonligcts]

Luke immediately giggled, being scooped up. He tried nuzzling her back and merely grabbed her nose. It was just what he wanted. Bright green eyes were eager to learn as they stared at the set and back at his mother. Rosebud looked up and rubbed her eyes as she held onto the boarding passes. She asked her sister what they were for. Cece went right into explaining what they'd be used for and let her climb on her back. Big sister's piggyback rides were her favorite. Luke waited expectantly at the answer for his question.

JC turned and followed the little boy's gaze to the tea cup set. ❛❛That's a tea cup set that a lot of people who boarded the boat got to drink out of.❜❜ he gestured to the screen as he tapped it and looked over at Luke, who seemed to be enthralled by the moving screen. He didn't know what it said, but the colors were pretty. ❛❛Except for the ones in the third class, right?❜❜ Cece interjected as she looked up at her mom and grinned. ❛❛That's right.❜❜ jc didn't mean to sound so surprised, but the child knew her stuff. ❛❛You weren't kidding when you said Titanic interested her.❜❜

Luke tapped his mom's shoulder to make the next slide go. He watched it like somehow the information would be understood in his little brain. He whispered third as cece talked about third class. ❛❛There's a walk through of the hallway. It's a photo op too." Cece gasped and nearly jumped out of her skin but was careful not to jolt baby sister off her back. ❛❛Can we please go?! And to ths coal mines too. There's one here right? ❜❜ JC smiled and nodded. ❛❛This is the most interactive experience and it's why you get those boarding passes. Are you game?❜❜

Cece turned around and pleaded. ❛❛Please please please. Call daddy. If photo op he needs to be here.❜❜ hearing daddy, Luke whipped his head around and gave a dimpled grin. ❛❛We don't do photo ops without him.❜❜

JC swiped his badge for another co worker who needed to go backstage and smiled at the company. People mulled around and in front of them, there was the ticket booth welcoming them to their journey. This was going to top her summer activities, Cece knew.

"City guys usually carry some kind of arrogance to them, even if they swear they're so chill." The last words mimicked from all she heard while in college. "Like being born in a big city is a badge of honor. You seem genuinely down to earth, not trying to convince me of it. Makes a difference." She had considered bringing the kids down to Granada, mostly because Cece's curiosity had only grown over the summer. But, after meeting JC at the festival, the idea was fresh in her mind, which led to them being here.

Laurel looked down at her twins, smiling in return. "An hour tour, you keep these rugrats entertained with your best fun facts, and they'll be more than okay walking through." Half teasing, "but I can carry them if they get worn out." Funnily enough, he'd learn about her kids during the tour. Their curiosity for life carried them. It was odd, how much they learned about each other in such a short period of time. His move to Louisiana, something that sounded very personal to him. She hadn't brought it up again, sensing that there was some difficulty there.

Watching her daughter's excitement filled her heart with love, this trip was absolutely worth it already. Even more so when she saw Cece jump into her oldest sister role, sharing her love for learning with her siblings. Chances were, the twins wouldn't remember this, but the love and admiration for their big sister would remain. So, they followed her lead, being careful with the boarding pass they were given.

She was about to suggest he should join them, and Cece seemed to read her mind. "She's right, we are here for all the fun facts, after all." Laurel smiled in his direction, "if you don't mind four eager visitors." That was something special about Cece, the way she welcomed people into their space, enveloping them in the warmth of the family, whether they were in her life for a few minutes or a lifetime. Laurel looked down at Luke as he pointed to the tea cup set, the tilt of his head reminding her so much of Eli. She knew their mannerisms were his. "Well baby boy, I'm not too sure but," scooping him up in her arms so he could get a better view. "Maybe we can figure it out together," half-turning to JC, hoping he had the insight she lacked. "Or we can ask our friend JC," she assured Luke, nuzzling his face as she told him. "He is super duper smart."