Open Road Read Online Free Page B

her usual level of impatience; and sweet Peyton, who was a twenty-three-year-old carbon copy of Angus. They were laden with gifts and smiles.
    “Hey,” Reece said with his own smile. “Come on in.”
    He stepped aside and let his family pile in. Because even if Angus’s mom and siblings weren’t blood relatives of Reece’s, that’s what they still were—family. They had been since the day two emotionally bruised women happened to move onto the same street with their children and decided to be best friends.
    Angus, who’d had his eyes closed, was pulled off the couch by his younger siblings and attacked with a huge hug and boisterous birthday wishes.
    “Hey, guys,” he said, hugging back. When Reece looked over again, he had a huge grin on his face. Apparently not even a killer hangover and whatever had happened between him and Brad when he got home could stand strong under the onslaught of enthusiastic sibling love.
    Reece’s mom came over and put her hand on the small of his back. He slung his arm around her shoulders and watched the Loughlins greet each other.
    “I’ve missed you, sweetheart,” his mom said. Reece felt better since she had Rich. It had felt like a lot of years that she was completely alone after he left for college. Still, he could get back to Astoria more often. Cherry and Angus were far better at it than he was.
    “I miss you too, Ma.” He ducked, though nowhere near as far as he had to duck for Angus, and kissed her head. “I’m glad you guys are here for the party.”
    “Where’s Brad?” she asked.
    Reece rolled his eyes. “Please don’t bring up Brad. He told Angus weeks ago he’d rather just do the night event. Something about tennis.”
    Reece knew it was mostly about how Brad didn’t like Reece or Cherry, and he was fully aware both moms would’ve been completely happy if Reece and Angus got married and Brad disappeared. Ironically, they both ignored the part about how Reece had never dated a single man in thirty years. Reece wondered just how much of his insides were showing even though he tried to hide them.
     
     
    BRUNCH WAS fun. Noisy but fun. Reece was content to sit back and watch like he usually did. They all had their roles in the family—Angus was loud, creative, and rarely stopped moving. Cherry was opinionated and about as fiery as her hair. Angus always teased her for being a cliché. Kelly and Peyton were cut from the same cloth, gentle, artistic, and soft. Reece and his mom were the practical ones, the caretakers. Ingrid tended to organize the whole group into activities, while he made sure Cherry and Angus were keeping up with the stuff they tended to ignore—like bills.
    Reece had fun watching, though, and offering a comment here and there. They didn’t get enough time with all of them together like they had been practically his entire childhood. It really felt like coming home.
    His mom nudged him. “You’re being quiet. Are you having a good time?”
    “I’m always quiet,” Reece said with a smile. “But yes. It’s great to have all of you guys here.”
    “I wish there was more to offer you and Angus and Cherry back in Astoria. Peyton’s going to be leaving in a few years too, probably. There isn’t much in the line of work for him at home.” She frowned. “I hate that you’re all gone.”
    “Hey. None of that. It’s Angus’s birthday. We can be depressing another day.”
    Ingrid laid her head on her son’s shoulder. “I can’t believe it’s hard for me to reach your shoulder now. I remember when you used to be smaller than me.”
    “It’s been a long time since then, Ma.” Ingrid was nearly five-ten, but Reece had shot up back in eighth grade and hadn’t stopped growing until he was six foot three. It was a rare day when someone else made him feel small.
    “I know. My big brawny baby boy.” She kissed his shoulder.
    “You two are corny,” Cherry said from across the table. Like she didn’t make the trip every couple of