by Marie Harte
Tex smiled. “You came at the perfect time. I’m off until Thursday. On for twenty-four, then off again Friday. Between the guys, the city, and the mountains nearby, we’re gonna have us a great time. Finally, I can listen to country music and not be made fun of.”
Wyatt scoffed. “What? Please. I’m still going to make fun of you, but not because you listen to country. Where the hell is your hat?”
Tex flushed. Hell. He’d left it in the house.
“And you call yourself a Texan.”
Chapter Twenty
Bree enjoyed her time with Tex and his family. Though she’d spent much of her time working while Tex showed his brother and cousin around, she enjoyed being asked to dinner and dancing with the handsome McGoverns. She hadn’t yet gotten any more one-on-one time with Josh, but she’d learned some interesting things about Tex by watching him with his family.
Tex showed them every courtesy, a truly generous host. They stayed at his home in his bed and in the spare room while he took the couch. They had all needed a break from the RV, which she admitted felt tiny when she’d walked in. The house, in the meantime, looked as if a tornado had hit it.
Wyatt appeared to create messes just to watch Tex freak out.
Her boyfriend had an obsession with neatness. He liked order more than cleanliness, but she could handle that.
He also enjoyed her cooking but wouldn’t let her cook for them, knowing how much work she had to do all day. Instead, he’d invited her out with the guys. Monday night, they’d gone dancing at a fun club that had featured Two-Step Taco Night. Hurray for dinner and delicious taco trucks parked outside.
Tuesday night she watched him go head to head with Wyatt playing darts and billiards while she and Josh enjoyed sodas at a nearby table.
Before they’d arrived, Tex had pulled her aside to confide a few things.
“I wouldn’t break a confidence, but you should know my brother is a recovering alcoholic. Feel free to get whatever you want to drink, but I usually just get tea or soda. And Josh, no matter what he might tell you, is only nineteen.”
“I’ll just follow your lead.” She’d paused for effect, ending with, “Li’l Pete.”
The look on Tex’s face was worth a lifetime of sodas.
Sitting with Josh, she watched the brothers battle over a pool table.
“It’s a brother thing. They go for each other’s throats,” Josh explained with a grin. Then they watched someone try to muscle in on the brothers’ game, and the McGoverns quickly rallied to throw off an interloper. “Yep. They can call each other names, but nobody else can.” He shot her a look. “That means you too, you know. You have girlfriend privileges. Feel free to call Wyatt a horse’s ass. Go on. I dare you.”
She didn’t, trying instead to subtly get some dirt on Tex. But Josh saw right through her. He promised answers if she could beat him at darts. Then her own competitive nature took over. Unfortunately, the kid could talk trash better than she could, and he trounced her.
Wednesday night, while she sat at home trying to relax after a long day, Tex and his brothers met with Tex’s Station 44 buddies for “Guy Night,” whatever the heck that meant. She stared at the television with shuttered eyes, exhausted.
Just as she started to fall asleep, her cell phone rang.
She answered with her eyes still closed, after blindly finding her phone. “Yeah?”
“Bree? It’s me.”
Bree opened her eyes, suddenly awake. “Carrie?”
Carrie sighed. “Yes, it’s your ex-best friend. I was wondering if we could talk.”
“Just us? Or do you feel the need to invite Melissa as well?” Damn. She hadn’t meant to sound so bitchy. It had slipped out, along with a yawn.
“Just you and me,” Carrie’s answered in her cool, lawyer voice, the one that hid her reactions under placid conversation.
“Okay, talk.”
“I meant in person, dumbass.”
Bree smiled without meaning to but tried not to sound amused. “Real nice. When and where?”
“I’m slammed this week with work. I’m actually at the office as we speak. But we need to talk.”
“Yes, we do.”
“How about Friday, late afternoon?”
“Happy hour at Curran’s? Can you do five thirty?”
“That works. Plenty of time for wine and appetizers while we make up and you realize how wrong you are. See you then,” Carrie signed off, sounding way too chipper.
Frustrated and now no longer tired, though her body felt sluggish, Bree ran a bath and settled into the hot water with a sigh.
She had no idea how to feel anymore.
Though she missed Carrie, she’d hadn’t hurt as much as she might have, pleased to have Tex and his family filling her need for companionship. Being with Tex, seeing him so happy, showed another side of the man she feared she liked more than she should. And even saying like felt like a lie. Heck, she’d fallen for the man. Hard.
He was so careful and gentle with Bubbles. She could almost see him building memories with the dog every time he touched her, counting down the days until she left.
He seemed so proud of his cousin, bragging about him joining the military and treating him like a grown-up one minute while still teasing him for being a teenager the next. But it was a brotherly teasing, not mean-spirited. Josh belonged.
As did Wyatt. She’d seen the older brother giving her some speculative looks, but he hadn’t tried to talk to her without Tex near. He was charming, quite the ladies’ man at the dance club, and as polite and reverential as a Southern boy should be. A slightly older clone of Tex, but without that something that made Bree’s heart race.
She let the bath bubbles cloud her vision, staring into them as they popped and settled into the water.
Her project was coming along nicely, her selection of photographs firm, the matting and framing her next steps to getting everything ready for the public showing in another month. So close yet still far enough away that she could hold off the nerves and panic that hit whenever she thought about showing her work to everyone who believed in her. If she tanked at the city unveiling, there was no way she’d retain that invitation to have a showing at IAG.
Bree sank below the water, easing her big fat head from the worry saturating her brain.
She surfaced and wiped the water from her face, focusing on something other than her work.
Tex.
She groaned, missing him a ton. She’d just seen the big guy last night. But they hadn’t done more than kiss or hold hands since Sunday. She’d become addicted to such satisfying sex. But it was so much more than the physical.
In Tex’s arms, she felt cared for, could almost believe he loved some small part of her needing that affection. Craving it.
And that allowed her to feel okay about loving him back. He hadn’t said he loved her, but he treated her the way she had always imagined being treated by a special man in her life. And technically, he did fill the role of lover.
Images and remembrances of how he’d held her, kissed her, and touched her had her going from relaxed to bothered and overheating.
Adding some cold water to the tub helped, as did the exhaustion from all her stress.
After draining the tub and drying off, she double-checked her locks and settled into bed. But she couldn’t stop the nagging need to tell everyone the truth, to shout to the world that she and Tex McGovern belonged together. No matter what anyone else thought.
Memories of her father’s warnings, of his intent to hurt any man he didn’t deem worthy of his daughter, mingled with dread in her sleep. She had nightmares about losing Tex and her father to a hungry, sneering Melissa while she swirled down the drain, drowning in a mire of worry and self-doubt, alone and unloved.
***
Tex missed the hell out of Bree, though he hid
it well. Earlier in the day, he’d finally introduced Oscar to Wyatt, and as he’d expected, the two got along like peanut butter and jelly. Josh had taken to Gerty, the pair playing video games and laughing so hard he’d wondered if they might be on something.
Meanwhile, he spent the afternoon playing with Bubbles. They went on a walk in Fremont, ate at a bakery that catered to humans and their canines—providing Bubbles with her own pet-friendly frosted carrot cookie—and spent time playing fetch with a brand-new ball he wanted her to have so she wouldn’t forget him.
His eyes burned as he walked her back to Oscar and Gerty’s, and he told himself it was the wind and not tears at the thought of her leaving.
I do not have the time she needs, he kept telling himself, knowing how loved she’d be by the McGovern clan. Hell, Wyatt crooned to her when nobody was looking, and Josh acted as if he’d never played with a better dog. She got treats, attention, and some quality brushing that made her look like a fancy show dog.
But he still felt guilty, as if he were letting her down in some way.
Bucking up, he left the dog with his friends, grabbed his brother and Josh, and drove them to Reggie’s for a barbecue and some game time. Like his brothers at Station 44, the McGovern clan was hell on wheels when it came to games.
As expected, everyone remembered Wyatt and took to Josh as if he were already one of their own. Hearing he would soon be standing on the yellow footprints at San Diego, Brad took Josh aside for some man-to-man Corps talk. Tex watched Josh’s chest puff with pride at being included.
Wyatt nodded, seeing the same. Then Tex watched as Mack proceeded to get under Wyatt’s skin in under five minutes. Come on, Wyatt. You’re better than that.
Before Wyatt could pound him one, Tex shot his brother a disgusted look.
“What?” Wyatt snapped. “You can’t tell me you don’t want to beat him on a daily basis?” He turned back to Mack and smacked his fist into his palm. “One more word about the Cowboys and I’ll flatten you, friend or no friend of my little brother.”
Tex sighed and took out a ten-dollar bill from his wallet. “Everyone wants to hit Mack at one point or another during the week.”
Reggie grinned. “Preach.”
“He’s a little too smart for his own good sometimes.” Tex handed Mack the bill. “Here. Now be nice. Wyatt’s not used to playing in your league.”
Mack neatly pocketed the ten. “Yo, Wyatt. Sorry, but Tex thought you’d be a lot tougher to crack than you are.” Mack shook his head. “You need to work on that thin skin, man.”
Wyatt’s eyes narrowed, then he laughed. “Okay, you got me. But when I nail your ass and take all your money later, remember, you brought this on yourself.” He turned to Tex. “You still crushing him and Reggie at Spades?”
Reggie looked pained. “What? Do you tell everyone we suck?”
“Just family.”
Reggie sighed. “Fine. But never tell my sisters about our losses, or I will eat you alive.”
“Roger.” Tex nodded.
Brad looked over at him. “Are you talking to yourself or what?”
Tex frowned. “I meant ‘roger that.’ As in, I get it.”
Wyatt snickered. Then the others laughed.
If he calls me Li’l Pete in front of the guys, I will kill him.
Josh had been told to keep it quiet as well. God, Tex still couldn’t believe Bree had that stupid name to hold over him now. Damn Josh and his big mouth. Show him a set of amazing breasts and he’d say anything.
Thinking about Bree’s first meeting with his family made him grin.
“What’s so funny?” Reggie asked.
“Ah, nothing important. Maybe I’ll tell you sometime.”
“I will somehow learn to live without knowing,” Reggie deadpanned.
Tex slung an arm around Reggie’s dense shoulders. “Have I told you how glad I am to be back at work around your smiling face?”
Reggie groaned. “Please, no.”
Wyatt watched and laughed. “Yeah, bro. Without me and the others here, you need someone to lean on. Like Reggie here.” Wyatt moved to the other side of Reggie and slung an arm around him, holding Reggie hostage. “What do we say when we need a friend, Tex?”
They broke into song, singing Luke Bryan’s “Blood Brothers,” to which Mack added the singer’s vocals from his phone, patched through Reggie’s sound system.
Reggie looked to be in sincere pain, so Tex and Wyatt sang louder, which encouraged Josh to join in.
“No more country music,” Reggie pleaded, laughing as he tried to escape the grip of the McGoverns.
“Too late, Reggie. Once you’re in, you’re in.” Tex planted a huge wet one on Reggie’s cheek. “Now you’re family.”
Reggie growled and wiped his face, shoving Tex aside. Wyatt and Josh were laughing too hard to be of any help when Reggie put Tex in a headlock, making him swear to never do that again.
Brad wrangled Mack’s phone away from him and played some classic rock through the speakers.
Reggie sighed. “Thank God. Now, can we please get to work on what we’ve been waiting to talk about?”
“What’s that?” Wyatt asked as he dug into some chips set out on the counter.
Reggie answered, “How to get Tex to stop being such a pussy and invite the new love of his life over for game night?” The entire room froze, all eyes turning on Tex, some Doobie Brothers the only noise in the room. “But did you guys hear why Tex is taking things so slow?”
Wyatt and Josh looked at each other then at Tex. “No,” Wyatt said. “Tell us, our newly adopted brother, Reggie. Why is Tex being so damn slow with that gal?”
“Why, because—”
“Don’t say it,” Tex begged.
“She’s the daughter of our battalion chief, who promises to cut off the balls of anyone who dares look at her wrong,” Mack helpfully provided.
Wyatt blinked. “Well, now. That does put things in perspective, doesn’t it?”
Josh shook his head. “That sucks.”
“My new motto,” Tex muttered. “Thanks a lot, Reggie.”
“Hey, I’m just looking out for my brother.” He smiled, showing too many teeth. “That’s what you get for playing country music in my house.”
“He’s lying,” Mack said to Tex sometime later.
“What?”
“Reggie. He loves country music. Has an entire collection of Kenny Rogers and Darius Rucker’s latest album. I saw it in his bedroom.”
Tex chuckled. “Thanks. I think. Though you really can’t argue with his choices. I still listen to Darius Rucker’s ‘Wagon Wheel.’ Best damn song anytime you play it. And don’t get me started on ‘The Gambler.’”
“I don’t even want to know what you’re talking about.” Mack stepped away.
Reggie took the initiative to gather everyone at his dining table for some poker. “Finally, we have enough for a real game. Six men, cards and poker chips for everyone. Twenty-dollar buy-in, gentlemen.” They’d each ante up with twenty bucks, play with colored chips at one-, five-, and ten-dollar amounts, and at the end of the night, the big winner would get to keep the cash pot, regardless of what the chip value actually came to.
Tex enjoyed the hell out of his night. At least, until Wyatt started offering his opinions on Bree. Because he got the guys interested in getting their take on Tex’s girl.
The problem was, once that happened, and they met and fell in love with her, the way Tex had, he’d have no more excuses not to claim her in front of his friends and everyone—including her father.
Now how would Bree feel about that?
***
Friday morning came too soon. Tex stood by the RV with his brothers and Bubbles. He’d taken them by the station Thursday morning when he went on shift. After introducing them to the other guys and gals at
the station, he’d given them his truck and warned them not to break it.
The hours had flown by, several accidents making the shift both exciting and exhausting. Riding with Brad again in an aid vehicle had felt like coming home, and they’d done some fine work helping some hard-luck diabetics assist with their own insulin, splinted two fractured arms and one broken ankle, and thankfully, delivered a potential stroke victim to the hospital, only to later learn she’d had a false alarm.
Now, standing by his brother, cousin, Bubbles, and to his pleased surprise, Bree, Tex felt full. Happy, sad, and confused at his loathing to part from any of the group. Tex always missed his family when they left, but it had never seemed so hard to say goodbye before.
When he looked at Bubbles, he knew why.
He felt like a total douche for getting teary-eyed, but as he knelt to hug Bubbles one last time, he couldn’t help it.
“Aw, damn it.” Wyatt stormed away.
Josh sniffed. “Gotta hit the can. I’ll be right back.”
Bree stood by his side, waiting for him. He made the mistake of looking up, and she saw his face. Hers gentled. “Oh, Tex. I’ll let you say goodbye and wait for you over there. Okay?”
He nodded, wiping his cheeks. He had no idea why he was crying. Hell. She was just a dog.
Just the best, cutest, most loving companion. He could tell she didn’t understand. Or maybe she did, because she whined and licked his cheek. Which made it damn harder.
Jesus. Let her go. He patted her. “Love you, gal. I’ll be down to visit, so don’t be a stranger when I swing on by.”
She just looked into his eyes, hers so dark and soulful, so sweet.
“Well, damn.” He stood and wiped his leaky eyes again. He hurried to his brother and cousin, who’d returned, and hugged them tight. “Let me know when you get home, okay? And don’t forget, she likes a can of the good stuff no later than seven. More like six. And you need to pet her and throw the ball for her. Easy at first with the others. I’m not sure if she’ll be okay with the ranch dogs.”
Wyatt rolled his eyes. “Easy, bro. We’ve done this before.” In a gentler voice, he said, “We’ll take good care of her, Li’l Pete. I promise.”