I pulled my truck up to the site where Mayson Construction was currently working and cut the engine, staring at the half-erected building in front of me. I searched for Asher.

When I saw him and his brothers off to the side I pulled the keys out of the ignition and climbed out of the truck, slamming the door behind me and walking toward them. I could hear their deep voices the closer I got, the table set up between them housing a set of blueprints.

I didn’t make my presence known because I wanted to surprise them. Hell, seemed like I’d surprised everybody since coming back. Even when I’d gone and seen my mom, the look on her face had made me feel slightly guilty for not letting her know I was coming. But it was also that expression they gave me that made me feel happy that I could show up on her doorstep, alive and in one piece, and able to give her a hug and tell her I loved her.

I stood behind Asher and watched as Cash and Trevor glanced up, their eyes widening slightly, their lips twitching as they forced their smiles back. Asher was complaining about something insignificant, his deep voice booming.

“Still bitching about shit, I see,” I said and grinned even though he still had his back toward me. I saw the way his body stiffened, and then he slowly turned and faced me. His eyes narrowed as he looked me up and down.

“Well, shit,” he said and grinned before pulling me in for a hug and slapping my back with his hand. He backed away and pulled the baseball cap off his head, running his hands through his short hair. “Damn, dude. Where the hell did you come from?” He was still grinning as Cash and Trevor walked up and stood beside him. I gave the other brothers a hug, feeling like I was right at home with these boys.

“Just came in.”

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back home?” Asher leaned back on the table, his biceps flexing as he held himself up.

“I didn’t tell anybody I was showing up. Figured shocking the hell out of people would be a good ‘I’m home’ reaction.”

Cash and Trevor chuckled, and Asher just shook his head and smiled. “You always did like to start shit like that.”

I chuckled, not about to pretend that wasn’t true. “Your setup is nice,” I added and looked around at the construction site. I’d only been back for a day, but I’d heard good shit about the business and how the Maysons were running it. I was proud as hell of these guys.

“Yeah, things are coming along nicely.” Cash was the one to respond.

“Even Nico is helping and getting his hands dirty,” Trevor said and we all laughed.

“Listen, let’s get together, drink some beer, shoot the shit.” I looked between the three of them. It was good being home, seeing the guys I’d grown up around, that I considered family.

“You seen Cora yet?” Asher asked and I nodded.

“She’s doing good, man. She’s got that bakery flourishing.” I glanced over after Trevor spoke.

“Yeah, I’m proud as hell of her.” And I was, so damn proud.

“Got plans tonight?” Asher asked and I felt my heart race at the thought.

“Yeah, I actually do.” I found myself grinning and saw the expression on their faces. They were curious as to why I was juiced up, no doubt. But I wasn’t going to tell them I was going to propose to her tonight. That was something personal between her and me, and I didn’t want to say anything until she heard it from me first. “I’m actually hanging out with Cora tonight.”

Asher nodded slowly, his expression letting me know he might know something more was up than I was letting on. But he didn’t pry, which I was grateful for. I didn’t want to lie to the guys, but I also didn’t want to say anything just yet.

“You got work set up?” Trevor asked, changing the subject.

I lifted my hand and rubbed the back of my neck, the sun beating down on it. “I was actually wondering if you guys have any open positions.”

“For real?” Cash asked and I nodded.

“Dude, you’re always welcome at Mayson Construction. You know that,” Asher said and pulled me in for another hug.

“We’re family, man.” Trevor was the one to respond now.

“Listen, let’s get together tomorrow if you’ve got some free time and we can talk about a job, and about whatever. It’s been too long, man.”

“Sounds good, brother. Thanks, guys.” I stayed there for another ten minutes as we caught up briefly, but then the guys had to get back to work.

As I headed toward my truck I thought about tonight, about how I had to get my shit in order, how I had to make this perfect. But the truth was just being with Cora was perfection. I just hoped that proposing to her didn’t drive us apart.