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Prologue

Five years earlier

Jonas got out of Wade’s truck and stared at the white ranch-style house It was big, but not ostentatious Wade’s family home, Jonas re for the hundredth ti mouth shut when Wade had asked if he’d had plans for the day

It was Saturday, and the only thing on his agenda had been getting in a good, hard workout at the gy skating down his spine noas fear Pure, unadulterated fear Jonas was daet the hell out of Dodge

Wade and his big idea to introduce hih, he couldn’t blaotten the better of Jonas and he’d caved Wade alent on and on about his fabulous family The brother with the new construction co school Hell, even Wade’s parents intrigued Jonas They ildly in love even after thirty years of e was an oddity, considering his own parents barely tolerated each other

Now, as he stared at the house, his palms started to sweat Shit Why had he decided to torture hiaame

As Jonas stepped onto the porch, he turned and stared at Wade He’d become like a brother to hi basic training For some reason that Jonas couldn’t recall now, he’d called Wade a pussy Of course, Wade had responded with an uppercut to Jonas’s jaw They’d been buddies ever since

“Are you sure about this, Wade? I ether”

“Don’t be such a pain in the ass,” Wade said as he slapped Jonas on the back and tried to push hiet out of this the entire way over here Jesus, you’re getting on my last nerve!”

Jonas still didn’t budge “Why’d I let you talk me into this? It’s a fa about families, much less family picnics”

“Blah, blah,” Wade said as he rolled his eyes

Several voices filtered through the screen door “Who’s in there anyway?”

“My parents, my brother and sister, some cousins Uncles and aunts You know, family”

Yep, Jonas definitely wanted to make a break for it

Wade sighed “Trust lad to finally meet you”

Jonas quirked a brow “Finally?”

“I’ve talked about you in my letters,” Wade admitted “Mostly about what a dumbass you are So, naturally they’re curious”

Jonas chuckled “You wrote about me? How romantic”

“Quit stalling,” Wade growled

“Fine, but I’”

“Yeah, yeah, fao”

Jonas grunted and stepped over the threshold The house was bursting with activity A petite woray looked toward therinned “It’s about time you showed up”

Wade closed the distance and enveloped her in a big bear hug Jonas took a step back, all but ready to dart through the door as he watched the warm display Wade’s mother? As Jonas pondered the identity of the wo of envy toward his friend Hugs and kisses? Yeah, right Jonas’s parents didn’t operate that way The day Jonas had left for the army, his dad had aardly patted him on the shoulder and hisher watch She’d beenthan seeing her only child off to the military