Page 65 of Badges
He smiles, lifting his arm into a circle. “Been off a couple of weeks. Doing a lot better.”
“How’s Libby handling you now that you’re back up to full strength?” I pull off my hat and set it on the table next to me.
“Amazing. Our baby is starting to show.” His grin grows even wider. “It’s kicking my ass into gear working on renovating thehouse.” He flips the plastic coated page over to me. “I’m getting a whole one myself.”
“Shit, I’m hungry enough to eat a horse and wouldn’t be able to finish one.” I slide the menu to the side.
I’ve been here so many times I’m pretty sure I have it memorized.
“Yea, but you don’t have a pregnant woman at home who will gnaw your arm off if you come back empty handed.” He holds out his healed limb, flipping his knuckles over. “I just got use of it again, it’s too soon to lose it.”
“Fair,” I laugh.
“Hey, guys. What can I get for you?” Scott appears next to our table, a small spiral notebook poised with a pen.
I’m tempted to order a root beer, but the idea fizzles before it leaves my lips. “A bottle of water and a large supreme.” Maybe if I show up with leftovers, she’ll talk?
Or I’ll have dinner if she’s still pissed.
“I thought you’d be off to school already?” Blue glances up. “I’ll have a beer, whatever’s on tap, and a half-pepperoni, half-Hawaiian. Large, also, please.”
Scotty shrugs and jots our order down. “I started last week, but Val’s having a hard time finding someone else to work here, so I gotta keep driving down.” He leans over and drops his voice. “If my sister wasn’t such a bossy bitch, it’d probably be easier.” His smirk stays when he turns away.
Blue shakes his head, then looks at me. “So, what’s up?”
Shit.
The words freeze in my throat.
“Something pretty crazy, actually.” I fidget with the corner of the menu. “I found out I’m a father.”
His smile fades into a frown. Then his icy blue eyes tighten to pinpoints. “What the ever-loving fuck, Wade? You knocked up the bitch who attacked us?”
I take a deep breath and try to fight down the urge to punch him in the throat.
“First of all,” I grit out. “She isn’t a ‘bitch’. Call her that again and I’m gonna pop you in the nose like when we were kids.”
Except she sure was snappy with me earlier.
“Second of all, no. She isn’t pregnant.” I made sure to pull out.
Well, hell. Makes my dick twitch thinking she might be though.
Stop. I’ll deal with that thought later.
“Her little sister, Blue. I think she’s mine. The math works out, and she has red hair. I’ve got a paternity test started to verify.” I do have some small perks with being the sheriff.
Like the whole damn forensics lab.
He runs his palm over his face, then scratches his silver-laced mustache. “Jesus, Wade. That’s fucking wild.”
“Yea, it really is. That means that CynthiaandElena are going to be a part of my life forever.” I watch him closely, hoping he understands what I’m trying to say.
His finger taps slowly on the table top. “You’re keeping the felon, too? Is she coming to Christmas dinner? Am I gonna be your best man at your wedding?” He glowers at me as he drops his chin.
“Maybe? You would though.” I have zero intention of marrying anyone.
But the innuendo is too much fun to pass up.
