He wanted to go over, touch, but even here, where they were among friends, he couldn’t. Instead he rose and began clearing dishes, pressing Tracy back down when she tried to stand. “I got this.”
“You sure, honey?”
“I’m sure. I have hands.”
“He does at that.” The little tease was enough to make him blink, make him suck in a breath. Coke could be naughty, and damn he loved that.
Oh, who was he kidding? He loved Coke. Full stop.
Christ on a crutch.
Coke’s neck felt like frozen rope. Bax was growling like a bear with a sore paw, Jason was poking the man endlessly. Balta was beginning to make noises about going home, but he sure as shit wasn’t going.
AJ’s people were all starting to be wild around the eyes and Coke couldn’t get a damned thingdone.
Missy was having a terrible time at the hospital, Mrs. Gardner was home at the big house, so all the Gardners were there instead of here at AJ’s.
Thank God for Tracy and Brenda, who could run the house like a military operation. Dillon pitched in all over, too, making things all civilized. All Coke had to do was keep the bassets out of trouble.
Nattie caught him out in the back of the barn and offered him a cigarette, which he waved off. “I’m good.”
“You need to go home, Hoss. We all do. We’ve helped.”
“I cain’t, Nattie. Leastways not until the babies are born. No sense getting Jase on bulls in his weather.”
“Hoss, ain’t no sense in much right now. Everything is fucked.”
“No shit on that.” He hated feeling like he’d lost hold of the rope.
“We should go have a beer and play some pool somewhere. Get our perspective back.”
“God, yes. I’m in, Nattie. I just want to breathe some.” He loved these people, loved them dearly, but his world was getting heavy.
“Let me tell the lady where we’re going. You gonna text Dillweed?”
“I’ll call him.” He grabbed his phone and dialed, waiting for Dillon to answer.
“Hello, Daisy Hill Puppy Farm.” Dillon was obsessed withPeanutsright now because of Benji, who thought Snoopy was the best. Crazy man.
“Hello, you nut. I’m going on a drive with Nattie. You need anything while we’re out?”
“Uh. ChapStick. Also? A Payday bar.”
“You got it. See you in a bit, cowboy.” He did love that beautiful bastard.
“Have fun, babe.” Dillon chuckled. “No fighting.”
“You have my word.”
“Then we’re golden. Love you.”
“Love you too.” More than anything.
Nate waved at him from the truck and he jogged over. He needed to get out and about. Stir crazy. That was what people called what he had. And he had it bad.
“Where to, Hoss? You know the area better than me.”
“There’s a pool hall down the way. It’s not a dry county, so we’re golden.”
