Nate hushed Bonner and sent him on his way, as they all headed to the truck.
“Here, Coke. I only had the one beer, huh?” Balta held out his hand for the keys, smiling easily, suddenly not limping at all, so Coke would forget the air cast, too.
“Yeah. Yeah, that works. I’m tired.” Coke nodded, handed the keys over like it was nothing.
They barely spoke on the way back to the hotel. Nate’s mouth was a tight, flat line, and Coke’s hat drooped in the front seat, the old bullfighter dozing.
Joa just wanted out of the truck.
He could go for a run.
A long run.
They parted ways without much fanfare, Balta handing over Coke’s keys with a short man hug, Nate leading Coke off to sleep.
Balta smiled at him. “Bom, doce?”
“You know what’s up with them?” There was…something weird.
“Something to do with Dillon, huh? I think he and Coke had a falling out.” Balta shrugged, patted his back. “Thank you for being so good at supper. It helped.”
“Eh. I don’t like troubles. You know.” He stretched, back and shoulders popping.
“I know. I’m a bad man, huh? To be so interested.” Balta shrugged. “Does this place have a pool, do you remember?”
“Sim. Around back. You want?” He could swim.
“I do! My foot can float and I can exercise, huh?” One tanned hand patted Balta’s belly. “Too much cheesecake.”
He reached out, touched too, so fast. “I’ll get my trunks.”
“Okay,doce.” Balta caught his hand, reeling him to kiss his mouth.
Balta tasted sweet, spicy, and the kiss left him blinking and dazed, lips swollen and almost bruised.
That same hand that had been on Balta’s belly popped Joa’s butt. “Go on. Get changed before we find another way to exercise.”
“Water’s better for you.” He grinned and tugged his shirt off. He was ready for the water.
