“Love you.” She wraps her arms around me in a hug.
“I love you too. I’ll see you in four days.”
“See you then.” She steps back and allows me room to remove my coat.
I toss it into the passenger seat, climb behind the wheel, and offer her a wave before putting the SUV in Drive. I’m looking forward to a road trip where I can crank up the radio, maybe listen to an audiobook, and just enjoy some me-time. And tomorrow, this girl is sleeping in.
Chapter 2
Conrad
It’s Saturday night, and I’m sitting home alone on my couch. It’s balls cold outside, and I’m just not in the mood to go out. Next week is going to be a crazy one as we leave for our family’s cabin in the Smoky Mountains on Wednesday for Grant and Aurora’s wedding. I need to pack and do laundry, which is another reason I’m sitting home alone on a Saturday night.
I’m scrolling through the channels trying to find something to watch, with a cold beer in my hand. My phone rings, giving me a break from the mindless options. “Hey, can you tell me why I pay for a billion channels and can’t find one damn thing to watch?” I ask my oldest brother, Royce.
His laughter greets me. “You need to spend more time at home, then maybe you would have a couple of shows to watch.”
I grumble in reply. “What’s up?” I ask, before taking a drink of my beer.
“What’s your week look like?” he asks.
“It’s light. I have nothing scheduled, just in case. My department is running like a well-oiled machine.” Not that I need to. Royce stays on top of everything that involves Riggins Enterprises. As the CEO, that’s his job, and out of the five of us, I’m glad it was him. What I’m really glad about is him meeting his wife, Sawyer. He’s no longer growly Royce. Well, sometimes, but that smile on his face since he finally gave in to his feelings for Sawyer seems as though it’s going to be a permanent fixture. Add in the fact that they’re expecting their first baby, and his level of happiness and contentment with his life is off the charts. “Why?”
“Not sure yet. Mom called me about twenty minutes ago and said she needed some help with something. She wanted to know if you or Marsh were free to help her this week.”
“Why didn’t she just call us?” I ask him.
“My guess is she wanted the facts before she called either of you, so you jokers couldn’t try to weasel your way out of helping.”
“I’d say you’re right. What’s she need help with?” I might pretend that I didn't want to do whatever task she asks, but let’s be honest, if my mother needs a favor from me, I’m going to make it happen. I know Marshall and the rest of my brothers feel the same way. “And why just me and Marshall?”
“She said I had to be with Sawyer, and Owen needed to be with Layla and Carter. Grant’s getting married, so his head won’t be on whatever task she has planned, so that leaves you and Marsh.”
“Makes sense. What’s Marsh got going on?”
“You were my first call.”
“Don’t bother calling him. I know he’s been working on the new campaign that’s going to launch next month. I’ll call Mom and take care of whatever it is.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. I’m just sitting here scrolling through mindless TV anyway.”
“Thanks, Con. I’ll see you tomorrow at Sunday dinner.”
“I’ll be there,” I assure him before ending the call and immediately dialing my mom’s number. “Hey, Mom,” I greet her when she answers.
“Conrad, are you home on a Saturday night? Two weeks in a row?” she asks.
I cringe. I forgot that I stayed in last week as well. I ran into my mom at the grocery store. If I’m honest, it’s been weeks since I’ve been out. When it was my brothers and me, it was a good time. Now they’re all married off or will be—except for Marshall and me—it’s just not the same. I know Marsh is feeling it too. He’s been working crazy hours on this new marketing campaign. At least he has an excuse. Me? I’m just over the going out every weekend scene. I, however, won’t be confessing that detail to my mother.
“It finally wore you down, huh?” Mom asks.
“What?” I shake out of my thoughts. I need to pay attention to the conversation.
“My baby boy is growing up.”
“I’m a man, Momma,” I remind her. “Anyway,” I quickly change the subject, “Royce called and said you needed help with something.”
“I do. Are you my volunteer?”
“Yep.” I take another swig of my beer.
“Thank you. I feel so much better.”
“What am I doing exactly?” I ask skeptically. She’s way too happy for me to just be doing her a favor.
“Well, I need you to drive up to the cabin early. Just to make sure everything gets done.”
“Okay, but I thought Aspen was driving up early?”
“Oh, she is. She’s leaving tomorrow.”
“All right, so what, you want me to go up Tuesday?” I ask, knowing that all of us are supposed to drive up on Wednesday. Taking off a day early won’t be an issue.
“Well, I was hoping you could drive up tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? Why?”
“Well, I worry about Aspen staying up in that cabin all alone. And what if she needs help? No one will be there to support her.”
“Mom, Aspen is an adult. I’m sure she can figure it out.”
“Conrad Riggins.” My name rolls off her tongue in her “mom” voice, and I know I’m going to be leaving for the mountains tomorrow.
“I guess I need to get off here and start packing.”
“Thank you, son.” The relief in her voice is palpable, which tells me she really was worried about Aspen staying at the cabin all alone. To be honest, her staying there alone is probably not the best idea, and spending time with the youngest Steele sister won’t be the worst thing. She’s sexy as hell, and she’s fun to be around.
“Both of those girls are family,” Mom adds.
“Is there anything specific that I need to do while I’m there?” I ask as I stand to toss my empty beer bottle in the trash and swap out the laundry.
“No. Just be there to help her. She’s coordinating the schedule of the decorators and caterers, and while I don’t think there will be much to do, I’d feel better knowing she’s not staying in that big old cabin by herself all week.”
“Sure, thing. I’ll call Royce and let him know.”
“Thank you, Conrad. Stop by the house, and I’ll pack you up some snacks for the road. In fact, just come here for breakfast. I’m sure you’ll want to get an early start.”
“So no Sunday dinner?” I sound like a whiney child, even to my own ears. I love Sunday dinners with the family and getting time with my nephew, Carter. I also enjoy getting my brothers riled up with pretending to hit on their wives. Good times I tell you.
“I’ll be sure to make it worth your while,” she assures me.
“All right, I’ll see you in the morning.”