Seemsas though Jared was the lucky bastard who had found the irritation that Beauhad managed to fuck out of Ethan earlier.
Jaredgrinned, a gesture Ethan hadn’t seen often. They were kinda like two peas in apod, neither of them known much for their bubbly personality.
“Sorry.”
“Noworries. I know exactly how you feel. It’s been one of those days.”
“Yeah,it sure has.” Jared leaned forward, resting his forearms on his desk andstaring at Ethan. The guy looked tired. And a little frazzled. Then again, he’dbeen on the phone with his ex-wife so that could explain some of it. Ethan hadheard the story, but he’d never delved further because his cousin’s businesswasn’t his concern. Considering Jared had never pushed Ethan to talk, hefigured he’d return the favor.
“I’mgonna be out of town for a couple of days,” Ethan blurted, unsure how todeliver the news. He prepared for Jared’s response by shoring up his spine andstaring back at him, but nothing came.
“Where’reyou off to?”
“Houston,”Ethan said promptly. He hadn’t planned on explaining himself, but he couldn’tseem to shut up.
“Goingwith someone?”
Thatquestion would’ve normally pissed Ethan off, hating when people tried to sticktheir nose in his business, but he found himself replying despite himself.“Yeah. I’m heading down there with Beau.”
Watchingfor Jared’s reaction, Ethan took a deep breath when his cousin simply noddedhis head.
“AnythingI can help with while you’re gone?”
“Nah.Nothing pertinent. Brendon’s truck is almost done, but the boy can stand tohitch a ride for a few days. He’s fucking hard on that truck.”
Jaredlaughed and leaned back in his chair. “I noticed that. When will you be back?”
“Fridayor Saturday. I’ll check on things then, but I doubt there’ll be anythingpressing.” There never was. They had enough equipment and vehicles to handleone or two being out of commission for a week or so. Ethan wasn’t worried thathis absence would hinder progress.
“Cool,”Jared said, glancing down at his phone.
“Allright then,” Ethan mumbled, thrusting his hands in his pockets and turning forthe door.
“Hey,E?”
“Yeah?”he asked, not turning around.
“Youneed something, give me a call.”
Ethanswallowed hard, but managed to force out a “sure”.
Jaredhad been at Moonshiners the night before, which meant he’d seen everything godown. For those who were close to the family, he figured they could put two andtwo together. He didn’t out and out talk about his sexual preferences, but heknew it was common knowledge who he spent his time with. Considering he’d neverhad a girlfriend in his life, Ethan wasn’t naïve enough to believe his familydidn’t know. He just felt as though thelessthey knew, the better offthey’d be.
Notwanting to think about it anymore, Ethan rushed out the door and back to histruck. Yeah, it was definitely time to get out of a town for a bit.
??
Aftera quick shower, Beau grabbed the bag he’d brought back from Ethan’s, dumped itscontents and replaced it with clean clothes. He kept his eye on the time,already anxious to get back to Ethan. For some reason, he didn’t want to givehim time to change his mind.
Thetattoo had been an excuse, something Beau had really never given much thoughtto, but also something he was excited about. He’d come up with the idea afterstudying Ethan’s, wondering what had compelled him to put that quote on hisback. So, along with being curious for the story behind it, Beau figured thiswas a way for them to get a little closer. He honestly hadn’t expected thatEthan would’ve gone out of town to get the skin art though.
Theidea of going to a city where they could be completely anonymous, no risk ofbeing recognized, had thrilled Beau instantly. Obviously, Ethan hadn’t beenopposed to the idea either. Once he gave it some thought, Beau considered it tobe a stepping stone. A test of sorts. Just to see exactly how open to thisrelationship Ethan really was.
Notthat there had been any mention of a relationship.
Yet.
Oncehe was back in his truck, Beau grabbed his cell and called Zane. Figuring heshould let someone know where they were headed, he left a voicemail when Zanedidn’t pick up. He didn’t give too much information, but he offered just enoughso that Zane wouldn’t worry and the rest of the Walker clan wouldn’t end up ina panic when they realized Ethan was gone. Knowing Ethan, he wouldn’t share hiswhereabouts with his family if he didn’t have to.
