“You know it wasn’t that hard. Regardless, that has nothing to do with my not wanting to have a party.” Hosting people at his home was just not the kind of man he’d ever been.

Lydia sighed. “We haven’t had a lot to celebrate. Why not grab on to whatever we can?”

He closed his eyes, knowing she was right but not able to find the words to tell her.

“We need to try and get back to life as normal for Jessie. She’s a people person just like her mama, and you know Chelle loved hosting parties. It’s something fun for her, to make her feel some normalcy.”

Wes frowned. “Way to make me feel like an ass, Lyd.”

She grinned, and he pulled her to him and gave her a hug.

“You’ve always been so serious, Wes. You’re responsible, and you always do the right thing. Have some fun. Loosen up. You deserve to be happy. Do you even still paint anymore?”

He hadn’t painted for a long time. He wasn’t even sure why. He ignored that question and said, “I’m happy.” And he was, in most ways. He had a career he loved. Maybe not his dream job, but he enjoyed what he did, enjoyed helping people. He had Jessie, and he loved the little girl more than anything. Just because that was enough for him—those certainties didn’t mean he wasn’t happy.

“You should share it a little more, then. Some of us would like to see it from you.” She nudged him. “Is the hottie coming?”

“Ah, hell. Not this again. What is it with women trying to be matchmakers for gay men? I don’t have a problem getting men when I want them. And that’s the end of this conversation.” Wes took a step away but Lydia grabbed his arm.

“I’m not trying to play matchmaker for a gay man, I’m just trying to keep my brother from doing his damndest to make sure he’s always alone. The risk of losing people is sometimes worth it.”

Not to him. “How did we get from a party to relationships?” Before she could answer him, the doorbell rang and Wes pulled away to answer it.

A couple hours later about twenty people filled his living room. They were all people Lydia knew. He got it. She wanted him to meet people, to make himself at home more in Blackcreek. He needed to do it, for Jessie, at least. That didn’t mean he thought this was fun, though.

“You like corners.” Noah stepped up beside him. “Sometimes I find it funny that you’re the one who approached me that night.”

Wes shrugged. “You know what they say, the dick is mightier than...hell, just about anything else.”

Noah laughed. “That it is, man. How you doing?”

“About as good as can be expected. I’m ready to get to work. I think it will help. It’s something that’s normal for Jess, ya know? Trying to show her that life keeps moving.”

Nodding, Noah said, “Speaking of Jessie, I heard Braden babysat. The house is still standing, I see. And he even missed a night of going out.”

Wes’s head whipped in Noah’s direction at that. He’d had plans? But that didn’t make sense. Braden babysat during the day and left around seven. “What makes you say that?”

“He asked Coop to go out, but then went to watch Jessie when you called. Sorry I wasn’t around, by the way. I know he didn’t end up going after he left. It’s strange,” he laughed. “They’re like a couple of gossiping women, sometimes.”

Wes almost mentioned that they were practically doing the same thing, but instead he let himself think about the fact that, going out or not, Braden had dropped everything to help Wes out. And he’s stayed long after he had to. “Can you excuse me for a second?” Wes already began walking away before Noah could reply. He made it all the way to his room and closed the door before he started dialing.

“I’m looking to buy some Boy Scout cookies. You’re the only one I know who can get them...Can you come over?”

Braden laughed. “Boy scouts don’t sell cookies, asshole.”

“They don’t?”

“No.”

“I guess I’m not the only one who would make a bad scout, not that they’d let me in, or as though I’d want to be there anyway.” He paused, knowing he should give a real reason for asking him over, for keeping the party from him in the first place. That he should make sure Braden knew he appreciated his help with Jessie the other day. But that damned block he had inside him kept the words at bay. “I know Jessie would really like to meet Jock.”

Braden sighed, making Wes think he might say no, making him realize he wanted Braden to say yes.