“Shit,” he said when he flopped onto the deck like a beached whale. “I need to work out more.”
Dawson didn’t laugh. Or even smile.
Jaxon got up and took the other chair, nodding at the book in his brother’s hand. The same book Jaxon had bought at Time To Read. “So is it good? I started it, but didn’t have time to finish.”
Dawson closed the book and set it down on the old sea chest between the two chairs. “The writing is mediocre and the plot predictable.”
“So why are you still reading it?”
Dawson shrugged. “I’m hoping it will get better. But that’s probably just wishful thinking. Nothing ever gets better.”
Jaxon couldn’t argue. “It sure seems that way for the Hennessys, doesn’t it? Just when you think things are getting better, they get worse.” He looked at Dawson. “I’m sorry I thought you started the fire, Dawg.”
Dawson shrugged. “You had every right to believe it was me. I’ve always had a preoccupation with fire.”
“Yes, but with liquor crates and piles of old tires. You’d never intentionally destroy something that mattered. Especially to the people you love. I was just upset that all our hard work was going up in flames . . . that, and Tully and I got in a fight and I was feeling hurt. But I had no business taking that hurt out on you. I’m sorry.”
Dawson waited a long moment before he spoke. “But you still believe I robbed Mickey’s.”
Jaxon wanted to lie, but couldn’t. He reached out and placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “I love you, Dawg. I really don’t blame you for what happened that night. We had a tough childhood. We all did things we regret to get through the pain. So let’s just let the past go, okay?”
Dawson stared out at the river for a long time before he spoke. “I don’t know if I can.”
Jaxon wished he had something wise to say, but he had nothing. He was struggling to let the past go too. He leaned his head back and looked at the canopy of green leaves above him.
“You want to hear something funny? I thought I hated Honky Tonk Heaven, but damned if I’m not disappointed as hell that we won’t be able to reopen.” He paused. “Do you think maybe our names are in the envelope? Maybe mama just wanted us to finish Honky Tonk Heaven in her time frame.”
“Maybe,” Dawson said.
Jaxon lowered his head and looked at his brother. “Or maybe she just wanted us to get back together—to make us realize we’re the only family we have.” When Dawson cocked an eyebrow, Jaxon laughed. “Yeah, that doesn’t sound like Mama, does it?”
“What doesn’t sound like Mama?” Huck’s head popped up over the deck. Once he finished climbing up, he glanced between Dawson and Jaxon. “So? Did y’all make up?”
Since he wasn’t sure, Jaxon looked at Dawson.
His brother sighed. “Yeah, we made up.”
“Great!” Huck crowed. “Now let’s talk about how we’re going to finish Honky Tonk Heaven in ten days.”
“It’s impossible,” Dawson said.
Huck frowned. “Would you stop being such a Dawg Downer? We can do it! We just need to hire more workers and pay them overtime to get the job done.”
“Just where are we going to get the money?”
“Tully, of course.”
Jaxon didn’t want to talk about Tully. He didn’t even want to think about her. Of course, that was impossible. Even when he was thinking about other things, she was there. The backdrop of every thought. The center of every subject. The huge weight in his chest that wouldn’t go away.
“I don’t think Tully will be willing to loan us more money,” he said.
“That’s where you’re wrong, bro. Lucky for us, Tully’s not holding a grudge over your little tiff. She’s more than willing to help us finish Honky Tonk Heaven. She’s getting a loan from her grandma. Of course, Birdie wants twice the interest.” He chuckled. “I love that old woman. So all that’s left to do is take a vote. Poppy and I vote yes on continuing the renovations. What about you, Dawg?”
Before Dawson could vote, Jaxon cut in. “When did you talk to Tully?”
“Just this morning when she stopped by. She wanted to talk to you, but you weren’t around so I went to Honky Tonk Heaven with her and we talked about what needed to be done to get the renovations finished on time.” He paused. “Until she burst into tears.”
Jaxon felt like Huck had just kicked him in the stomach until he realized why Tully had cried. “I’m sure the fire damage was upsetting.”
