Lucky looked at him then, reading all the things Ethan wasn’t saying. He gave a slow nod, then tossed the grease-stained rag onto the workbench. “Alright then. I can give her a look, write up a number.”
“Appreciate it.”
A car door slammed nearby, and they both turned to see Theo getting out of his police cruiser and coming toward them.
“What’re you two gossiping hens up to without me?” Theo called, walking toward them with a grin.
Ethan turned, hands slipping into his pockets. “Just catching up.”
“Uh-huh.” Theo gave the car a once-over, then glanced at Lucky. “He finally admitting this thing’s more rust than ride?”
“Nope,” Ethan said before Lucky could answer.
“Having car trouble?” Theo asked.
Ethan shifted his weight, suddenly more aware of the tightness in his shoulders. “No trouble with the car.”
Theo tipped his head. “Then I’m guessing this has something to do with the federal pencil-pusher sniffing around your place.”
Lucky straightened. “Wait—shoot, I forgot you’ve got that auditor hanging over your head. You doing all right with that?”
There was nothing Ethan hated more than being asked if he was alright. He hadn’t been for a long time. Not since Leticia left, and if he were being honest, probably even before then.
“Yep. All good,” Ethan said, but even he could hear that the words sat wrong.
“Bullshit,” Theo said immediately.
All Ethan could do was stare at him. He wanted to deny it, to swat the whole thing away with some clipped joke or empty reassurance, but the truth sat too close to the surface.
Nothing was going as he expected. Hell, he’d just invited the auditor to stay in his house. Even though she represented everything that threatened his way of life, she didn’t feel like a suit. Not really. He didn’t know what that said about him, but it couldn’t be anything good.
So he said nothing. Just stared back at his best friend while Lucky looked between the two of them.
“Let me get you some paperwork.” Lucky went through the door to his office to give them some privacy.
“What’s going on with you?” Theo asked.
“Nothing's going on. They don’t keep you busy enough at the station? Can’t a guy take his car to the shop without the third degree?”
“You’re selling.”
“I’m thinking about it.”
“You love this thing. Hell, I think you loved it before you loved her.”
“That’s not funny.”
“Wasn’t trying to be.”
Theo’s tone softened. “I get that you’re proud, Ethan. I do. But there’s no shame in saying you’re in over your head. Especially not with what you’ve been carrying.”
Ethan didn’t meet his eyes. He didn’t know how toexplain it in a way that made sense. The days blurred. He was always behind, rushing to catch up and always falling short. The paperwork, the farm, the kids. It was like trying to hold water in his hands, but the idea of letting someone else step in, even just a little, felt like giving up.
He crossed his arms over his chest, more to hold himself together than anything else, and said firmly, “I’ve got it handled.”
“That’s not what it looks like.”
“Dammit, Theo,” Ethan snapped. “Just let it go.”
