"Tease," I grumbled, gesturing to the chair Violet had pulled out earlier.
But Luke didn't take it. "Hey, how do we change the code for the gate?"
Now he had my complete attention. "Why?"
"Because the ag assessor just came through it, and it seems none of us let him in." He tilted his head. "Unless you did?"
"I had your woman on my lap, so I promise I did not."
Luke chuckled. "Well, then I have a feeling the cops are giving it out. Remember what Charlie said when we drove past on Saturday?"
"Yeah, he called this a war." Leaning forward, I got my feet under me and stood up. "And I know how to change the code. You know Gran's birthday?"
"Yep," Luke said.
"We'll use that, because Violet won't give it out to just anyone." I gestured for him to head back in. "Want to learn how to do it?"
"Sure," he agreed as we both headed toward the front door.
In truth, I'd asked because I just wanted a little time alone with him. Not for any particular reason, but I liked how Luke relaxed around me. Right now, I was doing my best to remember that he was just a friend, so I needed to do friend things with him. Things that had nothing to do with his eyes running over me or remembering how he tasted.
Damn, I was a mess. This morning it had been Ash, then Violet not long after, and as soon as I saw Luke? Yep, I was completely a goner for these three, and it felt good. I was supposed to be the sensible guy in the house. Instead, I was turning into a complete mush for all of them - and I liked it.
But as we walked down to the front gate I had another thought. "Hey, why'd they arrest you and Ash?"
Luke grumbled under his breath. "Because someone supposedly called and said we were starting shit."
"Why haven't they dropped the charges after seeing the video?" I asked, hammering home my point.
He slowly looked over. "Shit."
"Mhm," I agreed. "How many of those cops owe Paul Simmons a favor?"
"I'm not sure, but I'm willing to bet that most people in this town do." Luke groaned, shoving a hand over his eyes as he realized what I was getting at. "The Wallace brothers sell hay to him. Wouldn't be a stretch to think he put the idea in their ear. Wouldn't even have to..." Luke paused. "I need to talk to Mike."
"Can you trust this guy?" I asked.
He huffed out a laugh. "Mike? Yeah. He's a dumb-shit, but he's an honest one. When I dropped out of school, he took my spot on the field. Used to hang out on the weekends in his dad's shop - his now. I've known him since I was in diapers."
"Good to know," I said. "But I also don't like the idea of you being in town alone. What happens when they all jump you like they did before?"
"They jumped Ash," Luke said just as we reached the gate. "I jumped in, but I'm pretty sure they planned to just beat him. Cy, they'd do it to you too. They're beating up fags. That's how Cats Peak gets rid of people they don't like. They make it too hard to stay."
"I can take care of myself," I promised, pulling out my phone to open the gate. When it was open far enough, we both stepped through. "We can also drag Darnell around with us."
"Oh, a Black man and two fags," Luke shot back. "That's called upping the ante, Cy. Take the girls. Faith, Cess, or even Violet. That's what will stop the men around here from being stupid."
I moved to the back of the box and began working off the panel. "You know Violet and Cessily are going to the grill tonight to talk to that cop, right?"
"I do," he assured me. "Was kinda my idea."
"And you're not jealous?" Yeah, I was picking on him, but when he looked back and met my eyes, time froze.
I'd once said they weren't emerald green, but in this light, I realized I was wrong. Inside, they were softer, more of a beryl color. Out here in the sun, his eyes looked like gems. They were the type of green that rarely came along, and got a hell of a lot of notice when they did. No wonder Violet had remembered them so well.
"I trust her," Luke breathed, clearly feeling the same thing. "And you. And Ash. I didn't once, and learned my lesson, so I trust you now."
"I can't do this," I muttered, wrenching my eyes away to focus on the box. But I didn't mean that like he probably thought.
