Chapter 16 On Monday, the guys finally decided to start working on the barn. They'd been talking about turning it into some kind of new hangout space for all of us, and from the way they spoke about it, it sounded like they had a whole plan already mapped out in their heads. But if they did, they hadn't shared it with me. Not in detail, anyway. Tripp mentioned something about couches, a fridge, and maybe even putting up a TV, but beyond that, they kept it vague. Honestly, I didn't really care what they ended up doing with the barn. As long as they didn't try to turn it into some exclusive clubhouse where I wasn't invited, I was fine with it. I just wanted to be able to hang out in there too. Spend time with them, talk, relax. Do all the intimate things we had done up until now. From the kitchen window, I could see all four of them standing outside in front of the barn doors, deep in conversation. Or maybe not conversation. More like mild arguing. Their hands were flying around as they talked, like they were each trying to explain why their idea was better than everyone else's. Rhys, in particular, looked frustrated. His arms were crossed and he kept shaking his head at something Ashby was saying. Dash was off to the side with a tired expression, like he already regretted getting involved at all. It was kind of funny, actually. "They're gonna kill each other before they even pick up a hammer," Dad said as he walked into the kitchen behind me, his tone dry but amused. I turned around to face him, laughing. "Yeah, probably." "You got any plans for today, kid?" he asked, leaning against the counter. "Not really," I replied with a shrug. "You?" He gave a small nod and looked at me more directly. "Was thinking about heading to the store, grabbing some groceries for the week. You wanna come with me?" That caught me off guard. Dad didn't usually go grocery shopping. That was something Owen usually handled. And even if he did, he rarely asked me to tag along. Especially not just the two of us. When I was younger, he used to take me out for ice cream or to see movies pretty often. Back then, we had more one-on-one time, and I remember loving it. But as I got older, that kind of quality time just...faded. Not for any specific reason. We were still close, but we didn't hang out alone anymore, not like we used to. So when he asked me if I wanted to come along, it felt like something important. Even if he said it casually. "Just you and me?" I asked, a little surprised, my eyebrows raised. "Yeah," he said easily. "Figured we could stop and get lunch too. Maybe grab those burgers you like at the diner." He said it like it was nothing, but for some reason, it hit me right in the chest. Not in a dramatic way. It was just a quiet reminder that even though time had passed and things had shifted between us, he was still here for me. He still cared. And this was his way of showing it. The space that had grown between us over the years wasn't a painful one. It just existed. It wasn't like we had a falling out or anything. I just...grew up and he got busier. Things changed. And I guess that was okay. And maybe he thought because I wasn't a little girl anymore, I didn't want to spend time with him alone, which truly wasn't the case. I just didn't give it that much thought. Even Tripp and Rhys hadn't really done anything alone with Dad in a long time. There was a time when the three of them used to go to games together or hang out in the back working on the trucks. That didn't happen much anymore either, but we still all hung out at work together, which was maybe why we often didn't feel the need to spend more time together when we weren't at The Old. So the rare one-on-one time, even if it was just a grocery run, felt more meaningful than I expected. "That sounds great, Dad. I'd love to," I said, giving him a genuine smile. "Are we going now?" He nodded. "Yeah. You ready?" I nodded back. "Yep. Just give me one sec to grab my shoes." As I turned to head toward the mudroom, I glanced back out the window again. The guys were still arguing. Dash had now thrown his hands up in the air and was pacing, while Ashby was pointing toward the roof like something up there was the problem. Rhys just looked done, and Tripp was trying to calm everyone down. Yep. It might take them all day to even agree on where to start. And as tempting as it was to go out there and watch them, I had something better to do. A simple trip to the store. Just me and my dad. The diner wasn't busy. A few booths were occupied, mostly by older couples or locals eating alone, sipping coffee and reading the paper. Lorelai, my favorite waitress, behind the counter gave us a smile when we walked in, then waved toward the booths along the window. "Sit wherever you like. I'll be right with you," she said, and Dad nodded at her before steering us toward a booth near the back. We slid into the booth, Dad on one side, me on the other. The menus were already on the table, but I didn't look at it. I already knew what I wanted: the double cheeseburger with curly fries and an ice cold water. Dad looked at the menu, but I knew he would just end up ordering the same I did. He didn't really care what got on his plate, as long as he got to eat. Dad's a simple man, and I admired him for that. Lorelai came by and took our order, and once she left, we sat in silence for a few moments. Dad leaned back in the booth, glancing around the place like he was seeing it for the first time, even though he'd been coming here for decades. I watched him for a second. He looked relaxed, but I could tell he wanted to say something. He seemed nervous, playing with the napkin, and ripping it apart as if it had done something to him. "Are you okay, Dad?" I asked, unable to hide my amusement. His eyes met mine, then he chuckled and crumpled up the napkin in his fist. "Yeah, I'm okay, kid. Was just thinking about a few things." "What things?" He kept his voice casual, but his eyes told a whole different story. "About other possibilities." I blinked. "What possibilities?" "You know...if there's anything you want to do instead of working at The Old. We never really talked about it." That caught me off guard. "Not really. I figured I'd keep working there. With you and the guys. I thought it's what we all just silently agreed on." He nodded slowly, then sat up a little straighter. "Yeah, I figured that's what you thought. But I just wanted to make sure you know that if you ever want to do something else, I'll be right here to support you. Just because the garage is there, and the family works there, doesn't mean it's your only option." I smiled tightly. "I know, Dad. I know it's not my only option. But it's not like I have this big dream I'm ignoring. I'm not secretly dying to be a lawyer or go to med school. I just...like where I am right now." He nodded again. "And that's okay. I'm not pushing you out. I'm not trying to tell you to go to college or get out of town or anything like that. I just-" He paused and looked at me, his expression softening. "I want you to know that if one day you do wake up and want something else, I'll back you. No questions asked. No guilt. No pressure to stay. You get to choose your life, not just accept the life you got." It was rare hearing him talk so much, and also so poetically. I liked his view of things, and his words didn't feel like a weight he was putting on my shoulders. He simply wanted to reassure me that I still was in control over my life, and if I ever wanted change, he'd accept and support it. I smiled gently and fought the urge to reach over the table and touch his hand. "Thanks, Dad. That...means a lot." He smiled back, but there was still something serious in his eyes. "I've seen it happen too many times. Kids stay because it's easier. Because it's familiar. Then one day they look around and wonder why they never left. I don't want that for you. If you want to stay, great. I'll be proud as hell to have you working at The Old. But if you want something else, or even just want to try something else, that's just as good." I was quiet for a bit, letting it settle. "Are you seeing it happen with the guys? Do you think they'll one day regret staying?" This time, he let out a loud laugh. "Fuck, no. Those boys are meant to work and stay here. I might be giving you the chance to run and do something else, but none of the four will ever leave. Not like they want to, anyway." While he wanted the best for me, he kept the boys on a much tighter leash. He was harder on them. More rules, more discipline. But with me, he was the kind of father every daughter should have. He was gentle, protective, and full of quiet pride. I laughed softly, then pursed my lips before saying, "Maybe don't be too hard on them. They're not all that bad." "If I don't keep them in line, they would be," he stated, his voice low now. "But I mean it, kid. You don't have to have it all figured out right now. You've got time. Just promise me you'll keep your eyes open. Don't settle because it's comfortable." I nodded. "Okay. I promise." Lorelai came back with our food, placing the plates in front of us. We both thanked her and picked up our burgers. For a few minutes, we ate in silence, and between bites, I looked at him again and asked, "What about you? Did you ever want something else?" He looked up from his plate, chewing thoughtfully before answering. "No. I got exactly what I always wanted, the way I wanted it. I got lucky. Married your mother, had you and your brothers. The shop was already there, and it made sense to stay." He left out the part where Mom died, but it didn't matter. Not to me, at least. I didn't have any reminder of who she was, and while I was sad not having been raised by two parents, I had six men in my life who made Mom's absence okay. I nodded at his response and decided that was enough sentimental stuff in a day. *** I spent most of the next day sitting outside the barn in an old lawn chair that leaned a little too far back. It squeaked every time I shifted, but I didn't care. The sun was shining, I had a cold drink in my hand, and the guys were finally doing what they'd talked about all evening yesterday: cleaning out the barn. They weren't fast. Or particularly efficient. But they were doing it, which was something. From where I sat, I had a perfect view of them dragging out old shelves, bags of random junk, rusted tools, and a broken recliner that Ashby insisted might be "fixable," though no one believed him. Rhys came stumbling out of the barn holding a cracked plastic tub and shaking his head. "I think this used to hold nails, but now it's just dust and spider eggs. Anyone want a souvenir?" Dash made a face. "If you throw that at me, I'm setting you on fire." Ashby walked behind them carrying a mop that looked like it belonged in a horror movie. "You guys realize we could've just lit the whole barn on fire and started from scratch." "That's still plan B," Tripp said, walking past them with a coil of wire slung over his shoulder. "Let's try not to burn down our own property unless we absolutely have to." From the door, Dash glanced over at me and gave me a small smile. His eyes lingered, and I could tell he was just using the barn cleanup as an excuse to hang out near me. A few seconds later, he broke away from the others, dusted his hands off on his jeans, and walked over. "You look real cozy over here," he said, stopping in front of me. "I'm supervising," I replied, grinning up at him. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek, resting both his hands on either side of the armrests. "Hey," I whispered, glancing toward the house just in case Dad or Uncle Odin were looking. Normally, a simple kiss on the cheek wasn't something to worry about. Dad knew we were close, but since we had gotten that close, I felt like everything we did could be taken out of context. Dash smiled softly and brushed the tip of his nose against mine. "Just a kiss in the cheek, Lissy. Nothing new." "I know. But..." I sighed and pressed my lips together. "I don't want to risk it." Before he could say anything, Tripp's voice rang out from the barn door. "Not here," he called, his tone calm but clear. Dash stood upright, lifting both hands innocently. "What? I'm just saying hi." Tripp gave him a look, then flicked his eyes to me, then back to Dash. "Save it for when you're alone." "Alright, alright." Dash backed off, but not without sending me one last smile before heading back to help the others. As they kept dragging things out of the barn and tossing them into the pickup bed or pile by the side, I realized I wasn't just watching them work. I was watching something new take shape. Something that would be ours. Something that would just be ours. The basement had been our place for years. But the barn? That was something different. Bigger. A little more grown-up. A little more secret. *** "Wings, sausages, or steaks?" Odin asked as I walked up to stand beside him at the grill. He had a pair of metal tongs in his hand and was flipping the meat, making sure nothing got too charred. There was smoke rising from the grill and the smell alone made my stomach growl. I held out my plate and glanced over the sizzling rows of meat. "One of each, please," I said, and as he started adding them to my plate, I quickly added, "Actually, maybe two more wings. Just to be safe." "Here you go." He loaded them on without complaint. "Thanks! You're coming inside to eat too, right?" I asked, tilting my head to look up at him. It was around eight-thirty, the sun was slowly setting. After a full day of watching the guys work on clearing out the barn, arguing, sweating, and barely getting along, this little barbecue felt like the perfect way to end the day. Odin didn't look away from the grill. "No, I'll eat out here. With all the damn food you all eat, I can't step away from this thing for more than a minute. Soon as I do, someone's yelling they're still hungry." I studied him for a second. He looked tired but satisfied. Without saying anything, I walked over and sat down on the porch swing across from him, balancing my plate on my lap. He glanced over. "What are you doing, kid?" "Eating out here so you're not by yourself. Unless you'd rather be alone, then I'll move." "You don't have to do that." Then, after a second, he added, "But I don't mind your company." I gave him a little smile and started eating, picking up a sausage and taking a bite. It was still too hot, so I had to puff out some air, trying not to burn my tongue. We sat in silence for a bit, the only sound coming from the low sizzle of meat and the occasional clink of the tongs against the grill grate. It felt comfortable, and there was no pressure to say anything. "What'd you do today besides cook for everyone?" I asked after a minute. "Cleaned this old thing," he said, patting the grill with the tongs like it was his prized possession. "Figured it was about time. Damn thing was full of old grease and buildup. I'm surprised it didn't catch fire last time we used it." "Oh, so that's why the food tastes different," I said. "What do you mean, different?" He turned his head to look at me. "Well, before you cleaned it, the meat always had this...greasy, smoky aftertaste. The meat was more...flavorful before. Now it just tastes like regular old meat." His face froze. "You telling me I made it worse by cleaning it?" I stared at him, my face dead serious. "Yes. Ruined it completely." He narrowed his eyes at me, not entirely sure if I was joking or not. After a moment, he shook his head and muttered something under his breath that I didn't catch. "You messing with me?" I grinned. "Absolutely." He rolled his eyes and turned back to the grill, though I caught the corner of his mouth twitching in amusement. "Alright then. More eating, less talking." I giggled softly and focused on my food. Every now and then, the others came out to grab more food. They didn't question me sitting out here, and after coming back out the third time, Rhys-surprisingly-asked if I wanted his company. I shrugged at his question. "If you like," I told him with a sweet smile. Rhys wasn't usually the one who needed to be close. But ever since we kissed, I'd noticed a difference. He didn't act overly obvious or weird about it, but his eyes lingered on me more. Sometimes he touched my waist when he passed behind me, or his arm brushed mine, and he didn't bother to move away. It felt intentional, and I enjoyed it. Earlier, while I was sitting near the barn watching everyone work, Rhys came over to take a break. He had a beer in one hand and stood next to me for a minute. He reached out and put his hand on the back of my neck. His fingers started rubbing slowly, massaging that spot at the base of my skull, and I could barely focus on anything else. He didn't say anything. Didn't look at me. Just drank from his beer and kept his hand there. He stood there for a second before deciding to sit down next to me on the swing. His plate was had another sausage and two wings on it. I looked over at him and smirked, shaking my head a little. I didn't know how he or any of them could eat that much and still look like they had room for more. I didn't comment on it though, and continued to eat until he spoke again. "We're watching a movie later," he said, then took a bite of one of the wings. "Who's we?" I asked. "All of us." Odin turned his head toward us. "Yeah? What are we watching?" Rhys shrugged. "We haven't decided yet. We just figured we still need to do something as a family every now and then, even if we're on vacation." "That's a fun idea," I said, smiling. "Yeah, thought you'd love it." For the rest of dinner, all I could focus on was Rhys's leg pressed up against mine on the swing. He didn't pull away. He just stayed there beside me, eating like it was no big deal. But to me it was, and knowing him, he was enjoying this while Odin was right there. It was risky, yet innocent. Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!