6 MONTHS LATER
“Do my tits look good in this?” I ask Wes.
“Your tits always look good, baby.” His eyes zero in on my #TeamWesForever shirt. “But I’m having a hard time keeping my dick down in public everytime I see my name written across your chest.”
I point toward a merchandise stand about fifty feet away, “Well, I guess I could go buy a Magnus tee and cover up,” I say, with a smirk on my face. “That would keep it down, right?”
He lowers his head and whispers in my ear, “I think you on your knees sucking me off, will work even better.”
I place my palms on his chest and push him slightly away from me, “If you win, I might throw in more than that,” I tease.
“What do you mean if I win?”
“I don’t know,” I shrug, “Magnus is pretty hard to beat.” His jaw is clenching in fury, and I bite my bottom lip to stop the smile before it gives me away.
“How many times are you going to say his name today?” Wes snaps.
“You know I’m a pretty big fan of his.” I state, keeping my facial expression serious.
“Are you fucking kidding me right now?”
I burst out laughing at his reaction, “Of course I’m kidding.” I stand on the tips of my toes and wrap my arms around his neck, “Everyone knows I’ve only got eyes for one lumberjack.” I lean in for a quick peck on the cheek. “And Magnus isn’t it.”
“I’ve got to go register,” he says interrupting my moment. “You stay here with Lucy,” he orders.
“Yes, sir.” I joke.
We’re all at the annual Lumberjack Competition and the beards and flannel shirts are here in abundance. The whole family came out to support Wes, except Lucy. She’s hoping to meet Magnus.
Wes has been practicing all summer. Day and night, strategically planning how this year, he’s going to win. I’ve spent all that time being the most supportive girlfriend ever. I mean, watching the sweat drip off his body, as his muscles stretch and flex is hard work, and someone’s got to do it.
Besides being swept up in the hype of the upcoming competition, Wes and I have spent the last six months being utterly in love with one another. Not in a million years could I have ever predicted this as my future, but there is nothing in the world I would give him up for.
It may have started out rocky, but what I didn’t anticipate was the ease and comfort brought by being back in Piney View. It wasn’t till I officially moved back and settled in, I realized that this is where I should be. My family and my future are here and this will always be home.
* * *
I have my head buried in between my knees and I’m about to throw up. Wes and Magnus have been toe to toe the whole way, and this last heat is the decider.
“You should really pay attention,” Lucy calls out above the noise. “I know what I’ll be thinking about when I have some alone time tonight.”
I scrunch my face up at her in disgust, “I thought I was the one with no filter, but you are a thousand times worse.”
“What?” She asks, feigning ignorance.
“You don’t say that shit out loud,” I look around, “there could be kids here.”
“Firstly, there’s no kid, including my own that knows what I’m talking about, and secondly you think all these women in the stands are here because they give a shit about a piece of wood busting up into smithereens.”
“I do,” I cry out.
“No. You pretend to and then later you’ll get some deep dicking, because he’ll be all pumped up about winning,” She explains.
“Winning?”
She’s nodding while turning her attention between me and what’s happening on the stage. “He’s about to, and you’re going to miss it because you’re too busy acting like a pussy.”
“I have one of those you know? I can act like one if I want.” I say sarcastically.
I stand up just in time to see the scores being tallied up on the screen and Wes being announced as this year’s Lumberjack Champion. He did it. Just like I knew he would.
Running down the stairs, toward Wes, I can barely contain my excitement. He sees me coming, and leaves whatever conversation he was having and meets me halfway. Lifting me up in the air and spinning me round for everyone to see.
"You won." I whisper. "Congratulations BigBadWolf," using the nickname I reserve for special occasions.
Instead of talking, he kisses me with so much energy. I can’t help but let myself fall into the moment; with no care of where we are and who is watching. My heart is so full of love and pride, for this man who has shown me how happy a person can really be.
“I love you,” I tell him, as I slide myself down his body.
“I love you too, Ave. Let’s get the fuck out of here so I can show you how much.”
“Congratulations Wes,” Jeremiah’s little voice pops in out of nowhere.
Bending down so they’re at the same eye level, Wes puts out his hand for their special handshake. “Thanks little guy. Where is everyone?”
We see Mom and Lucy walking up to us, accompanied by a very handsome looking Magnus. Him and Lucy look awfully comfortable with one another for people who have just met. I look at Wes as he notices them approaching and back at Lucy. Holy shit.
“Uh, hey, Wes. Good to see you again,” he says, offering his hand out for Wes to shake. “I was on my way to congratulate you, when I saw Lucy on the way. She never told me she knew you.”
I squeeze his hand in mine for support, while glaring at a very sheepish looking Lucy. She knows Magnus and didn’t say a single word about it.
“Thanks, man.” He says and shakes his hand. An awkward silence ensues as we all stare at each other.
“Well, we better get going,” I say.
“Ah, you must be Lucy’s sister, right? She’s told me all about you,” Magnus reveals.
Wrapping his arm around my waist, Wes pulls me into him and possessively places his hand on my ass. “This is my girlfriend, Avery,” he says, introducing us reluctantly. Typical caveman.
Turning to Lucy, Magnus’ face lights up. “The four of us should double date sometime,” he blurts out.
I look at my sister, caught out in her web of lies. I see how nervous and tongue tied she is, indecision written all over her face. No matter what she’s hiding from me, she still deserves a chance at her own sexy lumberjack love story. So, I do what sisters do best, and I help her out. Simultaneously, I answer Magnus for Wes and Lucy. “We’d love to. I mean, what’s the worst that can happen?”