Page 30 of All The Things: The Last Thing He Needs Omnibus

Tommy asked, “Was that good-bye, thanks for last night, asshole? Or was that you sticking around?”

Bobby’s lips curved into a smile. “Guess.”

“All right, smartass.” Tommy laughed. “You coming in, or…?”

“Did your folks leave?”

“Nah, they’re passed out.”

“I think I’ll head home, then.” Bobby looked regretful for a beat and then added, “How about I swing by early and we take the kids down to the lake or something?”

“You haven’t had your fill of us yet?”

“Not even close.” Bobby smiled before he glanced up at the house and then laughed.

Tommy turned and saw all the kids upstairs, their faces pressed to the windows. Bobby waved at them, and all but Carrie and Colleen jumped and ran away. Carrie smiled and waved back, and Colleen gave him a thumbs-up.

“I bet you loved the circus when you were a kid.” Amused, Tommy turned his attention back to Bobby.

Bobby arched a brow in response. “How’d you know?”

“If you’re not comin’ in, go home.” Tommy pulled back, but he didn’t go far. “My feet are cold.”

Bobby glanced down and then back up to catch Tommy’s eye. “One of these days I’m gonna get you alone for more than three hours.”

“That a promise, copper?”

“Yes.” Heat was rising between them, but there was no way they could do anything about it tonight. “Now go inside and eat your food before it gets cold.”

“That’s what the microwave is for.” Tommy thought about opening the car door and pushing Bobby in, taking him right there in front of the house, but he decided against it. Instead he leaned in and brushed their lips together. It was a tender kiss, and it warmed Tommy up inside. “Thanks for dinner.”

“Anytime, Tom.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Bobby echoed Tommy’s words from weeks earlier. “Not if I see you first.”

“Ass.”

“Takes one to know one.” With that, Bobby pushed him back with a boyish shove, laughing. “I’ll call you later.”

Tommy settled down on the couch with his cold burger and melted milk shake. He was hungry enough it still tasted like the best thing he’d ever eaten.

Colleen plopped down next to him, looking exhausted. “Kids are all tucked away.” She reached for the television remote and clicked it on.

“I can’t believe you’re still up.”

She turned to him with a tired smile on her face. “Just need to unwind a little.”

Tommy understood. He was ragged around the edges, but he wasn’t ready to go to bed yet either. “Bobby wants us all to go down to the lake tomorrow with him.”

“Sounds nice. Weather should be warm enough….”

“Wanna see if Wyatt wants to come along?” he asked, nudging her shoulder.

“I don’t know.” She chewed her lip and glanced at Tommy. “I thought maybe I should give him some space after what happened.”

“None of that was your fault. If he’s got a problem with it, he’s not worth your time, Col.”

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