Andthat right there was Beau’s future. The only thing he needed. “I love you,too.”
Chapter Forty
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Bythe time Friday night rolled around, Beau was looking forward to a couple ofhours out of the house. It had actually been Ethan’s idea, much to Beau’ssurprise. And when he told him they were going to Moonshiners to meet up withhis brothers, Beau hadn’t questioned him. He didn’t care where they went, hejust wanted a beer.
Withthat prospect in sight, Beau pulled into the parking lot of Moonshiners withEthan right there beside him. The night had been flawless, dinner phenomenal asalways. They had even shared a shower before they got dressed and headed out.And now, as Beau pulled the truck to a stop, he glanced around the parking lot,hoping like hell there wouldn’t be anything to fuck up their night out together.
Makinghis way around the front of the truck, Beau met up with Ethan on the porch andhis body hardened the instant Ethan put his hand on his back, herding himtoward the door. He suddenly felt too big for his own skin, elated from thefact that Ethan touched him in public.
Beauopened the door to Moonshiners, and he walked inside, Ethan right behind him. NoticingTravis, Zane and Gage immediately, Beau considered heading to the back where theywere, but Ethan once again directed him, this time toward the bar.
“Twobeers, Mack,” Ethan ordered as the bartender glanced up with a tentative grin.
Beaudid his best to hide his surprise. He wasn’t quite sure what he was expectingfor their first night out as a real couple, but this certainly hadn’t been it.
“Surething, E.”
Aminute later, they were in the back with Ethan’s brothers and hisbrother-in-law. The men were talking – although arguing was probably a more aptdescription – about the resort.
“Justwait till Sawyer gets here,” Zane protested. “He’ll agree with me.”
“Notlikely. If they have to choose, they won’t pick your club,” Gage laughed, hisbeer bottle halfway to his lips, an amused smirk on his face.
Beaudidn’t even try to follow the conversation because he knew it would change soonenough. As he stood listening to the rough grumble of the three large males, heglanced around the bar. The first thing he noticed was Kylie and V weren’tthere. He didn’t even have time to wonder about that when his gaze landed on agroup of guys sitting at a table near the front.
JimmyReardon must’ve brought a fucking army tonight. There were seven guys with him,and not one of them was Ricky Dillinger. That was about the only positive inthe situation. Doing the math in his head, Beau figured between the five ofthem, they stood a pretty damn good chance. Even against eight.
Ethanmust’ve noticed what had captured Beau’s attention because he moved up besidehim, his arm brushing against his. “We’re not gonna let them get to ustonight.”
Beaunoticed the way Ethan stressed the wordnot. When Beau glanced over tohis lover, he noticed his expression was deadly serious.
“He’sdone enough damage.”
Wasn’tthat the truth?
Didn’tmean Beau wasn’t interested in a little payback. Rather than tell Ethan that,he simply nodded.
Thebastard had sent Ethan’s world into a tailspin for almost a decade, and now itseemed as though he was back permanently. For months, they had all been goingto Moonshiners on a weekly basis, and Beau didn’t recall Jimmy being a regular.And if he had been, Beau wondered how they hadn’t seen the jabs and animositydirected at Ethan. Probably because Ethan had kept himself isolated, but it washard for him to believe that no one had known.
Andto think that Ethan had dealt with that shit on his own for all this time onlypissed Beau off more.
“What’sup, man?” Zane said, stepping directly in front of Beau, obstructing his view.Probably a good thing.
“Notmuch. Where’s V?” he asked, sipping his beer and doing his best to ignore thegroup in the front. Ethan was right, they were there to have a good time. Itwouldn’t do anyone any good for Beau to get all bent out of shape because hewanted to do damage to Jimmy just because the man breathed.
“AtZoey’s,” Zane answered easily. “If I’m not careful, she’s gonna be asking for ababy of her own real soon.”
Beaulaughed.
“I’mhoping she’ll hold off at least until we’re married,” Zane continued. “Speakingof married…” Zane glanced over at Ethan and then back to Beau.
Thatgot Beau’s attention, and his gaze shot over to Ethan to see he was grinningfrom ear to ear.
“Congrats,man,” Zane said, clapping Beau on the back and then taking a step closer toEthan. “You’re good for him,” Zane said to Ethan quietly, but loud enough thatBeau could hear.
Beauwanted to laugh. That was the same thing Zane had said to him. But,nevertheless, it was true. Ethan was the best damn thing that had ever happenedto Beau.
