Page 24 of Sweet T

“I heard him. But I don’t want to be making a return trip here anytime soon.”

“And you’re still getting in this chair whether you like it or not.” Juanita shot him a stern glance. “Protocol.”

Tucker helped her get him into the chair. Evan relaxed when he felt Tucker’s firm hands on him, welcoming the support. He got a brief whiff of Tucker’s scent too—fabric softener, faded cologne, and just a smidgen of stale beer. Not the most flattering of aromas, but within the sterile confines of a hospital, it was a welcome reminder of life outside. Evan was grateful for it, and when Tucker released him into the chair, he missed the comfort of those warm hands holding him.

“I’ll go get the truck,” Tucker said. “Meet you guys at the entrance.”

* * *

They were quiet on the way home, Evan looking out the window. They passed pastures, crops, and a lot of open space before he saw the first signs of a town.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Tucker said. “Did we move you too quick? You feel OK?”

Evan glanced over, meeting Tucker’s eyes briefly, before they returned to the road.

“I’m fine. Just thinking... this looks a lot like what I was trying to get away from.”

“I would think Augusta is a big city by comparison.”

“I didn’t live in Augusta. I commuted to school there. I lived south, in Waynesboro.”

“I’ve heard of it.”

“It’s not much.”

“There’s a lot of that in Georgia. I would think Augusta would offer more, though.”

“Not really. It’s just western South Carolina.”

Tucker laughed. “Well, you’re in the enormous town of Spoon now. Home of Walmart and Weiner King. The nearest McDonald’s is thirty minutes away—twenty if you’re really hungry and you don’t hit a deer.”

“Weiner King?”

“Yeah. It’s a chain from North Carolina, I believe. I don’t think there’s many left. For burgers, we have Hardee’s or the Dairy Dream.”

They rode a little longer before Tucker turned off of the paved surface and onto Sun Hill road.

“Dirt roads?” Evan said. “Wow. We’re moving on up.”

“There is a town, I promise. You were in it last night, you just don’t remember. The hospital is east, on the outskirts of town. Our home is a little farther out.”

“Our? Are you married?” Evan glanced at Tucker’s hand on the wheel, searching for a ring.

“No.” Tucker grinned. “I live with my parents. Well, kind of. My daddies have the big house. I’m in the pool house.”

“Daddies?”

“Yeah, you heard me right. I’m assuming you don’t have a problem with that. Even if you did, it’s not like you have a parade of options at the moment.”

“No.” Evan chuckled. “I’m relieved. Makes sense now too—Daddy P.”

“What?”

“You said Daddy P at the hospital. I thought it was some weird nickname.”

“No. I have my biological daddy, Titus, and my adopted Daddy P. P is for Pedro.”

“Is there gonna be a test later?” Evan asked.

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