Free Begin Again by Evan Grace Page B

Let’s get you in the truck.” He walked around to the passenger side and groaned. Bellamy and Luke were inhaling each other’s faces. He looked at Carrington, who simply shook her head at her parents.
    “I don’t really need to see this.” Dylan huffed. Luke, the bastard, pulled away from Bell and took Carrington from his arms.
    “Oh , Dylan, stop.” Bellamy looked at Luke and he smiled. “Dyl, we’ve got some news. We wanted you to be the first person we told: we’re going to have another baby.”
    Dylan watched his baby sister’s eyes fill with tears that leaked over, spilling down her cheeks. He grabbed her, pulling her into a bear hug. They had debated on having another baby for a long time since Bell had an emotionally exhausting pregnancy with Carrington. He couldn’t blame her, though. She’d carried his first niece almost to the end of her pregnancy before she died due to a cord accident.
    “I’m so happy for you guys. This is great news, and you told me before Dustin!” Bellamy smacked his chest with a laugh.
    “Well, keep this quiet. We’re telling everyone else tomorrow.” Bellamy kissed her brother’s cheek before she moved away from him to take Carrington from Luke. He turned away from them as the family shared a moment. When he figured it was safe, he turned back around as Bellamy strapped the princess in the back seat. Dylan went over to Luke and the two friends shared a man hug.
    “I’m so happy for you guys.”
    “Thanks, bro.” Luke grabbed Dylan’s shoulder and gave him a little shake with a goofy-ass grin on his face.
    They said their goodbyes and finally they were on their way. He looked at the clock and it was already twenty after six. He hoped Journey was still there waiting. Again, he should’ve texted her, but he was in such a rush to get Bell and get to the park he kept putting it off.
    “So , Dyl, what’s Joey like? I bet he’s cute. I’m so excited to have a little nephew to spoil. Is Journey nice? What a strange name for a girl. I wonder how she got it.” Bellamy was babbling a mile a minute.
    “Okay , slow down there, turbo. I’ve only met him once, but you should see him, Bell. He’s beautiful. He and Violet could be twins. He’s super smart, too. Mom’s gonna go crazy when she sees him. Y’all are going to like Journey, too. It’s obvious she’s been doing great with him. They’re coming to Mom and Dad’s on Sunday.”
    A few minutes later they pulled into the parking lot. He looked around for Journey’s car —feeling his heart sink when he didn’t see it until he looked towards the exit and saw her pulling out. Quickly he pulled out of his parking spot and followed after her.
    “Dylan , what are you doing?”
    “That’s her ahead of us. She probably thought I ditched them.” He followed behind, and when they pulled into Shakey’s ice cream palace, he pulled in behind them. Parking his truck next to them, he noticed a little girl in the back seat. She looked up at him and smiled. He turned to his sister.
    “ Wait here a second.”
    He hopped out of the truck as Journey was getting out.
    “Journey.” She jerked her head up in obvious surprise to see him. “I’m so sorry I was so late. It’s no excuse, but I got held up at a job site and then my sister wanted to come, so I had to get her and my niece. I should’ve called you or at least texted you, but I was just trying to get there.” Journey didn’t say anything at first and it made him nervous. Her expression didn’t give anything away.
    “That’s okay, Dylan. I’m glad you caught up with us. Do you want to join us for some ice cream?”
    “Yeah , I’d like that.”
    “Are you Joey’s daddy?” the little girl from the backseat asked. She looked just like Journey.
    “Yes , I am, and who are you?”
    “I’m Joey’s cousin, Abby. I live with my Aunt JoJo.” He raised a brow in Journey’s direction.
    “It’s a long story. ” She reached into the backseat and got Joey out