Page 24 of Pick Me
“It’s not funny!” Hawk groaned. “Nobody explained there was gonna be a confetti cannon! Someone spilled a gallon of apple cider by the refreshment table, so I was kneeling down trying to clean it up, and then freakin’ DJ Tony set off the dang cannon when I wasright there,and now I have glitter in places where glitter doesn’t belong. Not to mention”—Hawk’s voice went louder as he tried to speak over the peals of laughter—“have you ever tried to scrape a mass of congealed sugar cookies, apple cider, and confetti off a floor? I reek of apples, and I have sprinkles permanently lodged under my nails.”
“You do have kind of a scented-candle vibe.” Goodman leaned over to sniff him. “I’d call your flavor… Autumn Dance-Auction Enchantment. It’s very wholesome.”
“Great.” Hawk rolled his eyes. “Just what every boy wants to hear.”
“Have you considered showering?” Drew asked gently as he stirred his tea.
Hawk gave Drew a narrow-eyed, pursed-lip look that was a little like a bunny rabbit trying to look intimidating. “I showered last nightandthis morning. This is what’s left.” He added in a mumble, “Last night, I looked like a human disco ball. And my bed looks like I’ve been fuc— um.” He darted a look at Aiden, who watched the exchange with delight. “Like I’ve beenhaving sleepoverswith a unicorn.”
Goodman laughed so hard he had to clap a hand over his mouth to prevent an explosion of oatmeal, but when his dancing eyes met mine across the length of the kitchen, his expression turned wary like he wasn’t sure whether our cease-fire was still in effect.
He straightened a little, bracing himself. “Heya, Knox.”
I pushed myself off the doorframe. “Morning, Goodman. Everyone.”
“Knox!” Uncle Drew said happily. “I might possibly have unearthed a few more receipts I forgot to give you… by which I mean a few more boxes full of receipts. So… happy Thursday?”
“Lucky me,” I grumbled.
“And more importantly, help yourself to the baked oatmeal on the stove. My assistant helped me prepare three trays of it last night.” He winked at Aiden, who beamed.
“Hey, Gage,” Aiden said, scooping up a spoonful that was at least as much honey as oatmeal. “Can we work on my science project this weekend?”
“Oh yeah,” Goodman muttered around a mouthful of oatmeal. He swallowed and continued. “I already ordered us a treat dispenser that’s supposed to be delivered today, and I had some ideas about how we can program it.”
“With the pressure pad?”
“With the pressure pad,” Goodman agreed.
“Yesss! I’m ready!” Aiden fist-pumped in the air and gave Goodman a gap-toothed grin.
“Morning, Knox,” Em said way too breezily for someone who was up most of the night. It made me feel a little old and a little jealous. I’d been surviving on four hours of sleep a night for a long while, so you’d think I’d be used to it, but I was never that perky. She stood and put her plate in the sink. “Heading back out to the barn.”
“Yeah? How’s the new calf?”
“Brilliant! Gorgeous.” She rocked on the balls of her feet excitedly, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Did Goodman name her yet?” I darted a glance at the man in question.
Goodman endeavored to look very innocent and got busy eating his oatmeal.
“No, I don’t think so,” Emma said, smiling at Goodman fondly. She lowered her voice to a stage whisper. “But he did go out and visit her this morning. Hevoluntarilygot close to the cows. So… progress.”
Goodman snorted and took a sip of his coffee to wash down the oats. “Not because I like them or anything,” he said after swallowing. “I keep my friends close and my enemies closer, that’s all.” He made a hand gesture that looked like he was jabbing his fingers in his eyes, then jabbing them in the general direction of the barn.
Christ, he was adorable.
And so freakin’ young.
And so very off-limits, especially for a guy who couldn’t trust his own brain these days.
“I sleep easier knowing we have you to be on top of all cow terror plots,” Em assured him before she laughed her way out the door. “Later, everyone!”
Meanwhile, I got a bowl and dished myself out some baked oatmeal Drew had made with leftover plums. It smelled amazing.
“Wait, so.” Hawk frowned and looked back and forth between me and Goodman. “You two are getting along now?”
Goodman lifted an eyebrow. “Sure thing. That’s why Knox wants to come and sit across from me.”
