Page 60 of Feuds and Interludes
Pops’s expression melted to one of sympathy. “I feel your pain. I don’t think I would have been able to get mine managed without Shane’s help. He took over planning all of my meals, got me exercising. I finally got in shape at sixty-nine years old, thanks to him.” He patted my shoulder, turned back to Boone and, bless him, he spent the rest of the meal talking about tips and tricks that helped us get his diabetes under control. This allowed Boone to eat his salad and salmon and get himself under control.
Vera Jean kept looking over at him, and I was glad to see her paying closer attention to her grandson. She’d pat his hand, move his hair back from his shoulder, or give his back a gentle rub. I hoped they were able to have a good conversation in private about all of these changes.
“So where are you staying?” I asked Pops.
“We got a room at the Crystal Hotel.”
“Did you need me to come pick you up tomorrow?” Boone asked Vera Jean.
“Oh, thank you, dear boy, but we drove up here. That’s why I canceled the flight, which, thank you for setting that up.”
“You drove? What did you drive?” I asked them. Pops’s car was old. I hated the idea of him driving at all, much less in that old hooptie.
“We brought the Corvette,” Vera Jean said with a sneaky grin. “Bruce had it serviced and it drove like a dream.”
Boone and I looked at each other in shock. Oh, seventy-agers. They were going to make us both old before our time. Thankfully the server came up at that moment, and I handed him my card.We needed to get out of here before this conversation went further south.
“Great,” I finally said. “Well, Boone and I should head back.” I stood up, feeling my hold on the Metal Menace slipping. “Boone has an early day tomorrow.”
“I hope your sessions are going well?” Vera Jean asked Boone as he leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“Good. Yes, thank you.”
“We’ll see you boys tomorrow,” Pops said, standing and giving me a hug.
“Be safe,” I said to him, giving him a raised eyebrow.
He grinned bashfully. “Sure thing.”
I fought the desire to roll my eyes. I needed to get Boone in the car and get him back to the lodge. I needed to hold him. It would go a long way toward making everything okay again.
We made it out to the parking lot, gave more hugs and kisses, and we went our separate ways. I walked beside Boone and then opened his door to the van. He gave me a small smile and climbed into the passenger seat. He turned to me and sighed.
“She didn’t comment on the hickey.”
“Hard to notice when she’s sucking face with my pops.”
He exhaled out his nose and nodded.
Fuck, I hated to see him so sad.I handed him my phone. “Play something.”
He tapped the screen and frowned. “What’s your password?”
“Boone.”
I put the van in drive and pulled out of the parking spot. I glanced over at him when I realized he hadn’t started the music.
He was holding the phone against his chest with his eyes closed.
“You good?”
He nodded, but he didn’t speak.
A moment later “Still Remains” from Stone Temple Pilots came on. Only one of the most beautiful love songs ever written.
“Perfect,” I said as I pulled onto SE Tacoma which would lead us toward the 205 Interstate and back to Bolder Breed.
“It’s always been a favorite,” he murmured. “Hits harder tonight.”
