Sucked, because everyone assumed that being bisexual meant you didn’t know, but that wasn’t true, leastways not for him. He liked sex and loved some people, and the gender didn’t matter. He’d never known anyone else who felt like he did, but they had to be out there, and if they weren’t, he didn’t really give a fuck. He was who he was.

  “Got it.” Audie winked at him, then sipped his coffee. “Oh, that’s good shit.”

  “You know it.” Weldon drank deep, letting it heat him up, soothe him. He did love him some toasted sugar with a little salt.

  “You think the kids will actually survive to spring break?” Audie asked the same question before every major milestone in the young lives they oversaw.

  “If they don’t, there’s some good eating on them.” That was always his answer.

  Audie snorted, but that smile was real, Audie’s shoulders relaxed. Someone was ready to go home and face the kids again.

  “You ready to head back, man? We got another half hour or so.” In truth, they had damn near two, because Jakob and Dixon could play for hours.

  “Sure. We can drop off the drinks and head to the barn. I want to get your opinion on this new crosstie system I want to try.”

  “Good deal.” They toodled back to the house, telling stories on the kids and laughing as they one-upped each other.

  “Hey!” Dan greeted them when they walked in, offering Weldon a surprised grin. “You brought coffee?”

  “We did.” He smiled back and put the drink holder on the counter.

  Dan grabbed the giant extra whip confection. “Hallelujah.”

  “Starbucks rights all wrongs.” He grinned at Audie, waggling his eyebrows. “You want me to take these to the musicians before we head to the barn, man?”

  “Do you mind?” Audie glanced around. “Daniel, where are my kids?”

  “I locked them in the dog crate,” Dan deadpanned.

  “Oh, you rock. I knew there was a reason I kept you around besides the whole I get laid if Dixon’s happy thing.”

  “There you go.” Dan jerked his chin toward the front room. “They’re actually doing a yoga video with some cartoon character. Not kidding.”

  “That’s at once less fun and more cool.”

  Weldon chuckled and headed into the converted garage that was now a high-tech studio. The sound of Jakob and Dix jamming reached him before he opened the door, and he hummed, loving that groove. The lessons these days were as much collaboration as follow the leader.

  He didn’t interrupt them, but once they paused, he explained where the drinks were and left them to their caffeine and good work.

  Dixon was quickly becoming a huge part of Jakob’s life, as was Grainger. Weldon loved that as much as he worried. Teenagers could get their feelings hurt so easily. One misstep on Jakob’s part could be disastrous. Or on his. Weldon needed to remember that when Dan got too tempting.

  He headed back to the house, telling himself to chill the fuck out and breathe. He obviously needed a long bath, a beer, and some baby oil.

  Now there was an idea.

  Audie met him on the back steps. “Dan is doing yoga with Mike the Cosmic Space Monkey. You have to see this.”

  “Mike the Cosmic…. Wow.” He headed in, both of them creeping.

  Sure enough, a chirpy monkey was on the big screen, leading the kids through a modified sun salutation. Dan stretched up, then swooped down, making monkey noises.

  “Do they teach yoga in the service, Audie?” he stage-whispered.

  “Maybe those crazy special ops types?”

  Someone giggled. He thought maybe Randi.

  Dan let out a long, exaggerated, “Ohhhhmmmm.”

  Grainger repeated the sound in perfect harmony.

  “So now I know who to bring Kenzie and Em to when they’re ramped up.”

  “Zen Master Dan. We’ll be right back, buddy!” Audie called. “Going to the barn.”

  “I got this,” Dan murmured.

  “He’s going to kill you, man.”

  “I know, right?” Audie didn’t look the least bit concerned. In fact, he looked downright gleeful.

  “You’re cracking my shit up,” Weldon told him. “Frickin’ hilarious.”

  “Take joy where you can, my friend, even when you’re gonna get bit for it later.”

  “You know it. Oh, this is nice.” Audie had done some good basic woodwork on the crosstie area. “The only thing I would do is put in some pulleys here and here.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah, just like….” Next thing he knew they were building it out, making the setup what Audie wanted. He had no idea how long they’d been out there when the last screw was in and Dan came wandering in, whistling under his breath.

  “Is the lesson done?”

  “The yoga, the guitar, and the Sons of the Pioneers sing-along, as well. We missed your yodel, Audie.”

  Audie’s cheeks went pink. “We were working this out. What do you think?”

  “What does it do? Then I can make an informed comment.” Dan winked at them.

  “Ah, city boys. What are you going to do with them?” Weldon had a wicked idea or two.

  “Take them out to supper to thank them for watching kids?” Dan’s gaze sharpened, laughter fleeing in the face of something more serious.

  “If you don’t mind me running Jakob home so he can do his homework, we can do that.” Mel was watching the little ones, and Maddie would be heading home soon. He’d just call Mom and warn her Jakob would be alone.

  “Don’t mind a bit.”

  Audie was watching him closely when he glanced over. “Vatican cameos,” Audie said.

  He grinned and ducked, his cheeks heating. “Yeah, yeah. Shut up.”

  Dan looked back and forth. “I’ve missed something.”

  “British TV reference. Blame Dix,” Audie said. “I can drop Jakob off if you want.”

  “You don’t mind? I’ll call Mom and let her know. The younger three are spending the night with Mel.”

  “Nope. I have to run out and grab a few things at the store, and Dix can take care of our hooligans. Boomer keeps them in line.”

  “Shit, I exhausted the little shits to death.” Dan flexed, and oh God, that was pretty. Weldon was so screwed with the whole not falling thing. So. Screwed.

  Audie popped him in the back of the head on his way by. “Be good, redneck.”

  “I’ll try, cowboy.” He would. Weldon knew he would fail, but he would try.

  Dinner was safe, right? Just supper.

  “Where do you want to go eat, man? Oh, just a sec. Let me call Mom.” He grabbed his phone and hit one on speed dial.

  “Hey, baby.” His mom sounded hoarse. She’d probably been singing madly.

  “Hey, Momma. I’m fixin’ to go to supper with a friend, and Mr. Audie’s gonna drop Jakob off home.”

  “Has he eaten? We’re done, and we were gonna stop and grab McDonalds. Me and Daddy’ll get him some too, and hang out until you get home.”

  “You’re too good to me, Momma.”

  “You deserve a supper out.”

  “You’re good to Jakob too. Don’t forget his new favorite is that crispy buttermilk chicken.” Jakob had only eaten hamburgers everywhere for maybe ten years. Now he was fried chicken boy.

  “I got the lecture last time. I will never forget. Ever.”

  He snorted. “I’d say I can just imagine, but I don’t have to.”

  “I know! He’s so opinionated.” His mom chuckled. “Have fun, Abraham.”

  “I intend to. I’ll text when I’m on my way home. Love y’all.” He hung up, offering Dan a sheepish grin. “My folks.”

  “I understand. Sounds like they’re really happy to help.” Dan put a hand under his elbow. “Did you want me to drive, or did you want to take two vehicles? I’m easy.”

  “I’ve heard that.” He winked, then grinned. “How about you drive this time?”

  “You got it. You need to talk to Jakob? I have to get my keys, anyway.”

  “I do, yeah.” He headed in, chuckling as he watched Jakob and Dix, sitting together, Jakob helping Dix with his Braille.

  “Dad?” Jakob’s head came up. “Audie said he’d take me home, so is it okay if I stay for another ten so we can finish this lesson?”

  “Sure. Just text your gran so she knows when to expect you. She’s getting McD’s.”

  “Did you remind her about the….”

  “I did. She remembered on her own.”

  “Oh, good.” Such crushing, dramatic relief. No more Quarter Pounders for his boy. Hilarious.

  “Okay, I’ll be home tonight. Don’t give your sister grief, all right?”

  “Moi?” Jakob made a face he probably thought looked innocent. So not working. “Later, Dad.”

  “Yessir. You ready, Dan?”

  “I am. Y’all be good for Dix, you hear?”

  Grainger stuck his head over the back of the couch. “Hush, Uncle Dan. Dinosaurs!”

  Weldon chuckled softly. “Let’s go. Dinosaurs are important.”

  “They are. Dix loves them too. Always did.” Dan pressed against him briefly on the way out the door.

  “Yeah. I didn’t go through the dinosaur phase. Baseball, yes. Trucks, yes. Dinosaurs? Not so much.”

  “I liked whales.” Dan grinned when Weldon raised an eyebrow at him. “What? I also liked Star Wars.”

  “Star Wars is eternal. How about dolphins?”

  “I swam with them once in Mexico. Does that count?” Dan led him to a pickup truck, and they climbed in. “Where am I going?”

  “Rio Grande? You been there yet? Over near Pecan and Commerce?”

  “Nope. If it’s Tex-Mex I’m in.”

  “It is. Chimichanga deluxe, man. Margaritas of joy. Good sauce.”

  “Yum. What makes a chimichanga deluxe?” Dan asked easily, pulling them out on the main road.

  “Queso, baaybee.” He moaned, thinking of the heart attack on a plate. “Fajita meat. Uhn.”

  “Oh, wow. I’ll have to work out hard.” Dan laughed, the sound husky.

  “No one will tell. Yoga makes you a super fat-burner, right?”

  “Oh, good one. Traffic looks decent.”

  “Yeah, everyone’s getting ready for an early night.”

  “I guess, yeah. I forget what day it is sometimes.”

  “I get that when the kids aren’t in school. I work for myself, you know, so one day’s like another.”

  “Yep. I used to know what day it was by what duty I pulled.”

  “Yeah? How does that work? Turn left.” The military fascinated him.

  “Well, when you’re enlisted, you have your specialty and then you also have a lot of general duty. As an officer, I was expected to keep all of the men under me on task, and I had to know what all those tasks entailed.”

  “Ah. So you’re like a general contractor. That’s a goddamn talent right there.”

  Dan laughed lightly. “I guess so. Marshalling forces.”

  “There you go.” He liked it. Weldon liked the idea that he could get it, get something about a life that he’d never known.

  “I’ll have to look into that,” Dan said. “Sounds like a job I might could like.”

  “I know lots of ’em, mostly commercial, but I do residential too. Holler if you want some names.”

  “I will. I definitely have the bonded thing down.”

  “Yeah, I bet. You see the sign up there, man? That’s where we’re heading.” He grinned, surprisingly excited about the idea of a childless supper with another adult.

  “Oh, cool. Looks like the perfect balance of dive and sit down.” Dan slid into the turn lane.

  “It’s a great place. The first one was in Round Rock on Mays. We eat there for lunch when we’re around.” Weldon grinned, remembering the last lunch they grabbed there, where that one tile guy got himself so drunk on mezcal that he’d fallen asleep in the bathroom.

  “I love a local chain success story.” Dan parked easily, then came around to give him a hand out. Like a real date.

  “What’s your favorite local place? You grew up around here too, didn’t you?” He was a north Austin boy, Georgetown, to be specific.

  “Salt Lick. I like Rudy’s okay, and the Texas Chili Parlor. For Mexican I like Amaya’s. I like Burger Tex too.”

  Dan’s list was a greasy spoon who’s who.

  “I haven’t been to the Burger Tex in eons, man. They rock the french fries.”

  “They so do. I love the weird Korean shit too. The bulgogi burger? Hell, yeah.”

  The smell of taco meat and warm chips hit them when they walked through the door, and Weldon breathed deep.

  Heaven.

  Pure heaven.

  “Oh, man. I didn’t realize I was hungry.” Dan’s eyes lit up like a kid’s at Christmas.

  “They’ll feed you good here.”

  “I’m ready.”

  “Hola, amigos. Two?” The energetic little hostess grabbed menus and came to smile at them, her pregnant belly out to there.

  “Sí, señora.” He answered, and she started jabbering at him, ninety miles a minute. His Spanish was good, but not that good.

  Dan chuckled. “Más despacio, por favor. No lo hablo bien.” Right. Dan’s accent was pure Latin America. He sounded like a Salvadorian native or something.

  Okay, that was hot. Like bone-melting, down to the ground, Jesus Christ do him now hot.

  Weldon had no secrets, nothing new or exciting.

  Dan was magic.

  He got a wink, and their hostess seated them, chattering at Dan.

  “What do you want to drink, honey?” Dan asked. Yeah, Weldon had caught the word bebidas.

  “I’ll take a small margarita on the rocks with salt and an iced tea, thank you.”

  “Good choice.” Dan bobbed his head. “Just iced tea for me, I think.”

  “You sure? I can let you have one, and I’ll drive you back. No big.”

  “Nah. I can taste yours. I drive this time, remember?”

  “I know. It was a fair offer, though.”

  “Totally.” Dan patted his leg under the table. They had one of those round booths where they could sit next to and across from each other at the same time.

  They exchanged a look for a long bit, staring like they hadn’t seen each other in weeks.

  Weldon studied Dan, the gingery red hair growing out from the military cut, the bright green eyes, the scruff of auburn beard capturing him, making him want.

  Okay. Okay, Abraham Jefferson Weldon, you stop that shit right now.

  Right the fuck now.

  This man is your best friend’s husband’s brother—and why did that sound like a Saturday Night Live skit—and doesn’t like kids and you have five.

  That’s not kids. That’s a small army.

  “You’re thinking so loud.” Dan’s fingers grazed the back of his hand. “This okay?”

  “It’s more than okay. Well, I mean, it’s gonna take practice, to not look at you and want obscene things, but I’ll manage.” To hide it, anyway.

  “I feel like I’m not being fair. I know I said shit, but you make me want to try.” Dan grinned, sheepish maybe.

  “Don’t go saying things like that, now. I’ll get my hopes up. How have you been? It’s been what? Two weeks?”

  “Yeah. Been interviewing for jobs.” Dan shook his head, his expression exaggerated sorrow. “Enough to make me want to re-up.”

  “Oh, no. You can’t give up so fast. It always takes a little time.” Right? That sounded like decent advice.

  “I know. I do.” Dan sighed. “I’m overqualified for everything I’m prepared to do. Bitch, bitch, whine.”

  “At least you got them. Qualifications, I mean. So many folks don’t. What are you trying to do?” Was that boring? Too pedestrian?

  “Anything I have skills for.” Dan grabbed a chip when the waitress brought the basket.

  “Ah. Yeah. I get that.” Except his skill set was straightforward. He built beautiful things out of wood.

  “You’re amazing at what you do, honey. Audie showed me your website.”

  “Thank you. My folks are both teachers. Dad teaches shop.” Weldon had never wanted to do anything but make shit.

  “Yeah? That’s too cool. I got nothing from Dad, I don’t think.”

  “No urges to raise llamas?” He’d met the Whites a couple three times, but that was it, enough to be neighborly and long enough to know they weren’t agile enough to deal with Emma, Grainger, and Randi together.

  That was a hell of a game, anyway. He winced just thinking about it, because damn.

  “Nope. What was that look?” Dan teased.

  “You don’t want to know. There was a time when your folks wanted to take Em with Audie’s two and… yeah, no.”

  “Oh, God. I mean, Grainger and Randi can be—intense.”

  “Yeah. Emma’s… well, Krista and I decided once that she was either going to be a nuclear scientist or a serial killer.”

  “I like it. Good to have goals.” Dan moaned when he looked at the menu. “Chimichanga deluxe for sure. Queso?”

  “Uh-huh. Queso.” He made Homer Simpson noises.

  “Yum. With the taco meat, right?”

  “You know it.” Their drinks came, and they ordered. Weldon let Dan have the first drink of his margarita and didn’t offer to lick the tequila off Dan’s lips. He considered that a hard-core win.

  Dan knew, though, damn his eyes. He had to, the way he was grinning.

  “Be good, you. Your job is to be nontempting.”

  “Oh, shit! Is it?” Dan’s eyebrows rose near to his hairline. “I’ll get right on that, I swear.”

  They snorted for a second, and then they both lost it, cracking up like the giant dorks they were.

  God help him, but he did like Dan more than was sensible. Dan seemed to like him right back, and where did that put them? He wanted to ask Dan for another chance, for Dan to get to know his kids. That wasn’t fair, though. The man had been honest as hell, and that sort of thing, well, it didn’t change.

  “Mmm. They do have good sauce.” Dan laughed some more. “The guys in my unit gave me hell for saying sauce, not salsa.”

  “Leastways you don’t say SAL-sa.” Weldon did his very best Robert Irvine impression, which honestly wasn’t very good.

  “God. I knew this Brit secret service fella who said ‘tack-o’ instead of taco. Made me nuts.”