“DUDE, DEE. Tank is… he’s back.”
“Come on in, Dustin. I don’t mind.”
“Of course you don’t. I brought Shiners and chips and salsa.” Oh, when Bubba brought the snacks, it was time for a heart-to-heart.
“I got queso I can warm up.”
“I’ll lock the door and put the TV on.”
Yeah, these walls were thin enough, and if the door was unlocked, folks waltzed right in. That was his bad; he tended to have an open-door policy.
He heated up the cheese, and they settled together on the sofa, Dustin staring at him. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I mean, it was a long time ago. I was stupid. But seeing him all over the place is wow….” Dalton’s cheeks heated on him.
“Nah. He’s hotter than the Fourth of July, Dee. I can see why you had to try.”
“Yeah. Still…. It’s hard to look at him, what with him knowing….” He gave Dustin a look. “And thanks for making me feel less self-conscious. Tank is family. He deserves to be here.”
“Sure he does, but why didn’t Pops say so? That seems… big.”
Dustin’s words actually helped, a lot, because if Bubba had known and not warned him, not told him—
“Stop it. I would have said. You know that.”
Dalton nodded. Right. He did know that. Tank had been his first heartbreak. He’d had a couple three since, but Tank had been the center of his universe for a little bit.
The man was still so fine he made Dalton ache.
“He was kind about it. I did wonder if he left because of me.”
“You were the boss’s kid. I can see that.”
“Yeah. He had to figure that was better than me making more of an ass of myself.” Dalton sighed.
“You sort of…. Well, you were young.”
“An asshole.”
“Brave?”
He wished. “Cocksure.”
“I thought you were brave, Dee.”
“Thanks, Bubba. I was just so sure he would take what I offered. I was an idiot.”
“We were teenagers. They only come in idiot.” Dustin leaned against him, sighed. “Hell, you tried, didn’t you?”
“I did. You’re just shy, Bubba.” He put an arm around his brother, offering comfort. Dustin had the worst luck ever with men.
“I am. You’re fearless. One day I’ll figure that out, I swear.”
“One day you’ll realize that being you is more than enough.” He squeezed. “Now I need something sweet.”
“After the cupcakes? You’re going to get a belly….” Dustin poked his stomach.
“Nah. I work hard, and it takes a lot of abs to do what I do.” He pulled away gently before rising. “Besides, I got those Milano things and some chocolate frosting.”
“Oooh.” Dustin’s eyes lit up.
“See? You get me.”
“Duh. You want to watch Pitch Black? I’m needing some Vin Diesel.”
“I could totally watch that.” The other movies did nothing for either of them, but that Pitch Black was freaking hot.
“Rock on.”
Soon they were settled on the couch, shoulder to shoulder, laughing at the TV.
Better. All that other mess would still be there tomorrow.
Tonight he could forget anything as long as he had cookies and Dustin to keep him company.