“Tea? Where’s my beer?”
Missy snorted, the longish hair at his ear blowing. “If y’all want it later, fine. Now, it’s tea or milk.”
“Come on, Mini. Eat your chicken before Ben wakes up again and wants to show you his train.” Bax put his hand on the plate again, insistent. Demanding bastard.
“Smells good, huh?” He got his fingers around it, trying not to feel like the biggest idiot in the world. He fucking hated this, eating in front of people.
“Tastes fine, too.” Of course, Bax knew it. Bax knew everything, and that voice stayed low and steady, one of Bax’s hands keeping him from knocking anything off the plate.
Jason let it ease him, knowing Bax was being his eyes. The chicken was tasty—not too messy, not too hot, but still crispy. The fries were handmade, and Missy could do amazing things with potatoes and salt and pepper.
“Did you say there was ice cream?” Bax asked, when he’d eaten his supper.
“There is. Jimmie, you pull Janie’s hair one more time and I will beat your butt. Austin James Gardner, will you talk to your son?”
Damn, he could almost see Missy’s eyes.
He heard Coke’s deep chuckle. “Austin James. She’s got your number.”
“Shut up.” AJ must have whapped Coke, because he could hear it like a shot.
There was a thump and a squeal, Missy almost landing in his lap, Bax scooting closer. Laughing, Bax helped him move Ben when the kid started muttering. Poor baby. They were getting all rough and shit.
“Shh. You’re good.” He patted Ben’s back. “Y’all be good.”
Somewhere the baby started crying and Missy groaned. “Goddamn cowboys.”
“I’ll get it, baby.” AJ’s big old feet clomped across the floor and Missy went to get the ice cream sandwiches, and all of a sudden it was quiet, just him and Ben and Bax.
“Hey.” Fuck, it was weird. Just weird, knowing that this was AJ’s house and not being able to get up and go make a pot of coffee or head out to feed or something.
“Hey. How you doin’, Mini?” Bax’s hand felt good on his knee, warm and firm, anchoring him.
“I’m okay. Want my eyes to work, right now. I keep thinking this has to let up.”
“I know.” Sighing, Bax squeezed his leg. “I wish it would with all my might, Jase.”
“Yeah. Well… Daddy’d say to cowboy up and quit whining, I reckon. I got more than some.” He reached out, hand finding Bax’s shoulder.
“Youknow it.”
“Jason! Want to see my train?” Ben piped up, awake again just like turning on a light.
“I.” Well, shit. Fuck. Just fucking hell. “I sure do, Ben. Like you wouldn’t believe.”
“Come on!” Benji could focus on shit for hours, so he might as well do it now. Bax got up, helping him to his feet.
“You coming, Candy?” He chuckled at Benji’s nickname for Bax, the boy tugging Jason with enough force that he stumbled forward, slamming right into something hard.
“Benji!” Missy came running, he could hear her feet slapping on the ground. “You have to be careful with your Uncle Jason, remember?”
“‘m okay.” He thought. Fuck.
“M’sorry.” Benji’s voice rose to a shriek, almost, the poor kid freaking out.
“Hush, now. All y’all. Let Jase get his bearings.” Bax didn’t snarl or nothin’, just quietly eased everyone away, and from the sound of it, held Benji off him. “Candy’s got you, kiddo. Now, Jase, that’s a big old footstool. Step two to the left.”
“Hey. Hey!” He dropped to his knees, something scratching all up along his back. “Come here, boy, and chill out.”
