“But you did. Watching you walk away tore me up inside. I don’t want to do that again.”
“I know.” Mack leaned forward, kissed him softly. “And I’m sorry.”
Jeff pulled back, stared at him. “Don’t apologize. Just make it right.”
Mack was silent for the longest time before he finally nodded. “Okay.”
“Okay, what?”
“I’ll make it right.”
Jeff’s mind whirled, hope blooming deep down. “What does that mean?”
“I—”
A knock on the door caused Mack to stop. Jeff wanted to grab his shotgun and aim it at the door, because damn it, whoever it was had the worst damn timing.
Chapter Eight
Mack went into the kitchen while Jeffanswered the door. He needed a moment to rein himself in because the conversation he’d come here for had taken a turn that both shocked and soothed him. He wanted Jeff to get rid of the visitor so they could continue, to finally clear the air between them.
“Is Mack here?”
Frowning at the familiar voice, Mack stepped out of the kitchen and into the living room. He had a direct line of sight to the front door, where Travis Walker stood, his husband just a few feet behind him.
“I saw your truck,” Travis said, evidently explaining why he was there. “Could we talk?”
“Mack hasn’t had a chance to look over your offer,” Jeff told him.
Travis’s eyes remained locked on Mack. “It’s not about the offer.”
Jeff peered back over his shoulder, as though seeking Mack’s approval. Mack nodded.
“Come in.”
Travis did, moving toward Mack with a grace that most men his size didn’t have. Although he was wearing black slacks and a white button-down—likely what he’d worn to church—he looked as at home in that attire as he did when he was sporting boots and jeans.
“Can I get you some coffee?” Jeff offered.
Mack continued to stare at Travis, wondering if the man even knew how shitty his timing was.
“That would be great,” Gage answered.
Mack cast a quick look at Jeff before turning his attention back to Travis. “What did you want to talk about?”
“May we sit?” Travis motioned toward the small table.
He answered by walking over and taking the chair he’d vacated earlier. Travis joined him, and a minute later, Gage and Jeff did, passing out coffee.
“I’m gonna preface this with an apology,” Travis said, his voice calm.
Mack frowned.
“You’ll understand why in a minute,” Gage muttered.
Travis cut his eyes to Gage, blinked slowly, then pinned those steel-blue eyes back on Mack.
“You’ve known me my entire life, Mack. And I’m sure you’re well aware that I have a tendency to overstep.”
