CHAPTER 9

Wade’s legs pumpedhard against the pedals of his mountain bike. His rear wheel spun, flicking up small stones as he rode up the incline. Then he rose high in his seat as his bicycle bounced along a rocky part of the trail descent. He glanced over his shoulder and spotted Jake through the trees, just starting up the climb.

Wade smiled, shifting into a lower gear to take advantage of the slope. He loved this trail, with its mix of grinding and gentle climbs, challenging descents, and smooth winding pathways that swooped through the state park’s dense woodland. Glimpses of Lake Michigan sparkled in the distance.

He made the final switchback climb and rolled smoothly down toward the parking lot where they’d started the eleven-mile loop. He stopped to catch his breath, breathing in the sweet mix of fragrant pine, wildflowers, and decaying leaves.

Jake rolled up alongside him wearing a broad grin. “Feel like another lap?”

Wade grinned back. “You know I would, but I have to get cleaned up before work,” he said.

Jake gave a single nod of acknowledgment and kicked off, rolling his bike toward Wade’s car. Wade attached his own bike to the bike rack first, then Jake added his. The two brothers walked over to a nearby picnic table and sat down side by side on the tabletop, drinking great gulps of water from their water bottles.

Jake reached over and slapped Wade on the back. “It’s so great having you here, bro,” he said. “And not just because I now have someone to mountain bike this trail with.”

Wade laughed. “Get outta here! I know you always have Pops.” And this was true. Despite the fact that Pops was now seventy years old, the retired U.S. Coast Guard captain was still extremely physically fit and an avid mountain biker.

“I know,” Jake said. “I’m just happy you decided to make the move. Now, we just need to convince Noah to leave Grand Rapids and join us.”

“Good luck with that,” Wade said, taking another swig of the cold water and wiping his mouth with the back of his gloved hand. “He’s pretty thrilled with city life.”

“Most of his job is remote, so he could commute,” Jake pointed out, setting down his water bottle and raising his arms in an overhead stretch.

“True,” Wade agreed, then looked at his brother. “Hey, how are your wedding plans coming along?”

“Really good! Alex has some pretty creative design ideas for the reception décor. She’s all about incorporating the fall colors into the theme. But honestly, I couldn’t care less about the colors. I just can’t wait to marry that woman. It’s gonna be amazing.” Jake got a dreamy look in his dark eyes, just as he always did when talking about Alex or their upcoming nuptials. That look made Wade smile. And if he was completely honest, it made him feel a little jealous, too, knowing that his brother had found that one special person to share his life with.

Jake’s gaze refocused on Wade. “And what about you?”

“What about me?” Wade asked, taking one long last swallow before screwing the lid of his bottle back into place.

“Bro, I don’t mean to nag, but you’ve been living here for months now, and you’re still not making time for yourself. Aside from hanging out with me and Alex, your social life sucks,” Jake said.

“Wow, don’t hold anything back,” Wade said. Then he added defensively, “I’ve been busy!”

“Doing what?”

“Stuff.”

“Look, Wade,” Jake twisted to face his brother full on, “I know how much you sacrificed for Noah and me when we were growing up. But we’re grown now. Heck, I’m about to get married! It’s time for you to have some fun. Find a nice woman, start dating.”

Wade wouldn’t meet Jake’s eyes. “I haven’t found anybody who’s interested me yet.”

“Alex has tried setting you up multiple times, but you always refuse.”

“I checked all their profiles on social media, and none of them met my criteria,” Wade said.

Jake rolled his eyes. “What about that gorgeous redhead you were chatting with at the mural unveiling? I felt like you two seemed to have a real connection.”

Wade snorted, recalling Cassie. Her attitude, her arrogance, not to mention her complete disregard for following rules of any kind. “She definitely doesn’t meet my criteria.”

But even as he said the words, he couldn’t deny there was something about Cassie that kept pulling him in. With her flashing green eyes and strong, rebellious spirit. She intrigued him. Of course, there was no way he was admitting that to his brother.

Jake shook his head. “For once, can you get rid of your checklists and just go with the flow?”

Wade looked at his brother. “I’m not you, Jake. I’m not a ‘go with the flow’ kind of guy. Checklists and rules are what helped me keep us together and on track when we were younger, and they haven’t failed me yet. Besides, I’ve never been smooth with women the way you always were.”

Jake laughed. “You don’t have to be, bro. You just need to take the plunge and ask somebody out. Once you truly connect with someone, the rest will follow. Trust me.”

One corner of Wade’s mouth lifted in a half smile. “You think you’re smarter than me, baby bro?”

“Oh, for sure. Smarter than you, stronger than you, handsomer than you...oof!” Jake said, breaking off and laughing as Wade gave him a quick sucker punch in the gut.

“Look, I’ll ask someone out when it feels right, okay?” Wade said. “But right now, get your butt in my car. I’ve got to go to work.”