Page 104 of Sweet T

“He’s a sweetie, isn’t he? He’s gonna be a heartbreaker, that one. I’ve been telling him all about you.”

“Yeah, I could tell. He was reading me like the Sunday paper.”

“No wonder. Look how handsome you are. It’s very sweet of you to dress up and bring me flowers. I could get used to this.”

They reached the truck. Tucker put Evan’s bag in the bed, then took the flowers from him and did the same. Evan leaned against the truck, looking up at the sky.

“Full moon. Wanna play werewolf?”

“I do,” Tucker said, pressing him against the vehicle. “I’m ready to ravage you, my dear. Or perhaps, the other way around.”

Evan reached down, squeezing at Tucker’s hardness. “My. I guess I need to be on stage more often.”

They kissed. Internally, Tucker was trying to downplay Evan’s words. He knew the comment was meant playfully, but the deeper truth weighed much heavier.

“Mmm,” said Evan. “Is that bourbon I smell on your breath?”

“It is. I needed something a little stronger for intermission after seeing a man’s eyes gouged out and all. I had an old emergency stash.”

“Is there any left?”

Tucker reached into the saddle box and handed Evan the bottle. Evan eyed the Evan Williams bottle in the bright moonlight. “Oh, look. Same name. It’s faded though.”

“Yeah, it was my go-to back in the day.”

“Dirt roads? Emmett?”

Tucker nodded. He was smiling, but it was a sad smile.

“You know, I’ve never much believed in predestination,” Evan said. “But do you not think it mighty coincidental that your remedy for past heartache and I have the same first name?”

“I hadn’t thought about it until just now.”

Evan took a pull from the bottle, but didn’t bother with chasing it. He kissed Tucker again. Their lips and tongues mingled with the heat of the whiskey. When they separated, they remained close, forehead to forehead, relishing the scent of bourbon on their shared breath.

“I need you, Ev,” Tucker whispered. “You heal me.”

“You’re the healer, T. You saved me, gave me a home, and a family–a real family–something I never had.”

“I felt like I was going nowhere. But now that you’re here, I don’t mind. Guess I just didn’t want to be alone anymore.”

“Same. You’re my guardian angel.”

“Maybe guardian angels work both ways.”

They held each other against the truck and under the moonlight for what seemed a long time. When they parted, Evan placed his hand on Tucker’s chest, caressing and admiring the fabric. “Where did you get this paisley shirt? I’ve been meaning to tell you it’s fabulous, like it was custom made for you.”

“It was—one of Shelly’s creations. I haven’t had an occasion to wear it until tonight.”

“No wonder she wants to be a designer. She’s got a great eye.”

“Be sure to tell her. She’ll appreciate it. Oh, speaking of which... I think she texted me during the show.”

Tucker removed his phone from his pocket.

“It’s a voicemail,” he said, a little surprised. “From Daddy.”

Tucker pressed play and, even though he didn’t select the speakerphone option, they both could hear Titus clearly...

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