Page 24 of The Mechanics of Lust

Sam said nothing for a minute, just sat there chewing the inside of his cheek with a troubled look on his face. “Well, okay. If it’s a rite of passage, then I suppose I shoulddo my part. I won’t have anyone claiming I didn’t earn my full-shepherd status.”

I coughed into my napkin to hide the laugh threatening to explode up my throat, but Charlie didn’t manage quite as well. She snorted, then gasped as I kicked her under the table.

Sam’s gaze shot up. “What?”

“Nothing,” Charlie practically squeaked, which almost sent me over the edge. “Just really proud of you.”

A blush stole over Sam’s cheeks and I almost lost it completely.

Holden’s eyes lit with humour as he cleared his throat and asked Sam to fetch the ute.

“Me?” Sam stared bug-eyed. Holden never let anyone drive his ute except Gil.

“Sure.” Holden threw him the keys and we all held our breath until he was well out of earshot before erupting into hoots of laughter.

“A badge of honour?” Emily threw Holden an are-you-kidding-me look. “That poor boy. When are you going to tell him you were only kidding and that if we don’t have a grad or fresh team member, we draw straws and share the load?”

Tom snorted the dregs of his coffee down the front of his T-shirt and fumbled for a cloth to mop it up. The most experienced shepherd on the station, he’d come up through the ranks the hard way. “I was thinking maybe never,” he said, and another peal of laughter circled the room.

Emily shook her head, supposedly in disappointment, but it was clear she was fighting a smile. “Some days I wonder about you lot. I truly do. But if you’re going to have your fun, you better make sure that boy gets an extra two days off once muster is done. We don’t play those power games on this station, remember?”

Holden stood and gave his mother a hug. “Don’t worry. I promise we’ll come clean after the first day.”

“And I will help him out after that,” Alek assured her.

“I can take a day or two as well,” I found myself saying, and Holden shot me a grateful look.

Then he gave a double clap, which signalled lunch was done and we all pushed our seats back. “The station won’t run itself, guys.”

“More’s the pity,” Tom grumbled as everyone began moving toward the mudroom.

“Hang on.” Charlie waved us to a stop. “You do realise it’s Sam’s birthday on Saturday, but since he’s heading to his parents that morning, I was thinking we should shout him a round or two at The Fleece on Friday night. I’ll even volunteer to drive your sorry arses.”

Gil threw his hand in the air. “I can drive as well. I had enough alcohol on my own birthday to last a year. And don’t forget the team cookout Saturday night, which everyone except Sam is expected to attend. No excuses. So, who’s on for Friday?”

Everyone raised their hands. Everyone except Emily and me. The last thing I needed was to risk another encounter with Luke who was having his date... drink... whatever... with Doug that night.

“Harry and I already have plans, sorry,” Emily announced.

Which left me.

Holden arched a brow. “Zach? Don’t tell me you’re gonna leave us hanging?”

I scrambled for an excuse. “Toby’s coming to pick up Chester early Saturday morning and I want to work him again on Friday before he leaves.”

Holden frowned. “Can’t you work him earlier in the day?”

“I’m working the southern fence that day, remember?”

Holden studied me like he knew what I was doing, which he probably did, although not for the reasons he thought. “Don’t recall that being a high priority. Shuffle things around. In fact, take all of Friday afternoon off. You’re owed a ton of time, mate. That way, you can work Chester and still come celebrate with the team.”

Team.A not-so-subtle reminder that Holden and Gil had worked hard to bring the Miller Station team closer by organising these kinds of celebrations on a regular basis, and I generally was first in line. They were good fun, something I needed more of in my life. I gave an inward sigh. “Well, I, um—sure.” I managed a semblance of a smile.

“Great.” Holden rubbed his hands together. “That’s decided. But we won’t all fit in Charlie’s ute.”

“I’ll take my bike,” I offered. “I’m not planning on drinking or staying long. Gil’s birthday still haunts me.”

In more ways than one.But the throwaway comment earned me a few chuckles and nodding heads. Mission accomplished. I’d be out of that hotel in under an hour.

---