Page 59 of The Moment They Can Never Forgive
“It’s like these nights bring out all the crazy in them,” Dan said.
“My girl is the sanest person I know most of the time. Smart, sexy?—”
“I warned you last time you mentioned that word in connection with my sister, JD, I’d punch you,” Dan said.
“You Dukes are so easy to get at,” the man said, smirking. “Anyway, she’s really smart too. But that all unravels on Girls’ Night. What’s with that?”
“I’ll tell you what’s with that,” a voice said from behind them.
Turning, they found Bart. He wasn’t wearing his running shorts, thank fuck.
“What?” JD asked.
“My sister told me Girls’ Night is like taking off a tight pair of shoes. You can just let it all hang out and no man is there to stop you or ask you to do something for them.”
“We’ve evolved, though, Bart. Some of us can even wash our own shorts and cook now,” JD drawled.
“Some, son, but not all. There are still a few simple ones out there walking among us.”
Dan snorted. He loved the older members of this community.
“Women are complex on the surface, but inside they’re not that hard to understand,” Bart added.
“You’re kidding me, right?” Dan said.
“Loyalty is important, and they want to be seen by their life mate, or any mate, actually. Want their men to understand when they’re feeling shitty.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you swear, Bart,” JD said, looking shocked.
“Which makes using a cuss word all the more powerful when I do,” Bart countered. “Women want to be looked after when they need looking after, but not coddled. Most of them are smarter than us.”
“Never in doubt,” JD agreed.
“Pick up your clothes occasionally and do the dishes. Cook a meal,” Bart said. “And I’m talking about you, Fox Gleeson. God gave you some brains in that head of yours. Try using them now and then.”
Fox was wandering toward the Rollaway no doubt to pick up his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Betsy. He stopped to look at them when he heard his name.
“Betsy may actually stay with you longer than a month if you make the effort to treat her right. Dress better, and hold her hand. Talk nice to her, for pity’s sake,” Bart snapped. “Or your mama will be stuck with you until she leaves us.”
“Ah….” Fox didn’t seem capable of finding any words.
“Poor role models!” Bart shouted. “It’s not an excuse to carry that trend on. Break the mold, Fox.”
Fox looked like a deer in the headlights now. He turned and ran toward the Rollaway.
“No relief in there,” Dan said, laughing. “You okay, there, Bart? Sounding pretty pissed off from where I’m standing.”
“I’m all good, Deputy Dan, but sometimes the foolish ways of the youngsters in this town rile me up. I had Betsy weeping all over me the other day because Fox dumped her again. Those two need their heads banged together.”
“True. We done with the lecture if I promise to treat the women in my life better?” Dan asked.
“Leah’s back. Make sure she stays this time. She’s perfect for you,” Bart said before following Fox inside the Rollaway.
“Well, fuck me,” JD said and then whistled. “What did he put in his coffee today?”
“Hell if I know, but I don’t want any.”
“From what I gather, he’s right, though,” JD added.
