Sky hooted as the door closed behind him.
“He knows better. I might kill him. And then I’d kill you for bringing it up. You can put your bag down anywhere, I’ll give you a tour in a bit. How was your drive?”
“Good. This is a great truck. I got it an oil change before I came out. I’ll miss it. I think I’m going to buy a GMC next time.”
“Where’d you park the trailer? Oh, thanks, babe.” He and Parker accepted the beers Sky handed them, and they both took swigs at the same time.
“Momma’s house. She’s cleaning it for me. I’ll fly out from here into DFW.” Parker grinned at Sky. “Man, it’s no fun without you. Lyle Bridgerton is going to take the championship, you know.”
Sky groaned but shrugged. “Kiddo, I wasn’t going to win this year. No matter what. I’m old.”
“Ancient. Geriatric.” Beck knew what Sky meant, though. Thirty was old in his sport. Like, “Why are you still here?” old. But in Beck’s world, thirty was prime-of-your-life time.
“Yep. I’m washed up and not worth a hill of beans.”
Beck rolled his eyes at Sky, then looked at Parker. “How old are you, Parker?”
“Twenty-five, almost.”
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
He’d known the kid since Parker was barely legal. That meant he was the kid’s teenage crush. He’d laugh if it wasn’t also kind of sad. He pointed to the back door with the hand holding his beer. “Let me show you the view.”
Sky winked at him as they walked by. “Start up the grill, babe. I’ll pull the chicken out of the fridge.”
“On it.” He opened the back slider. “So how long are you going to ride, Parker? What’s your plan?”
“What? I’ll ride until I can’t, then…I’ll raise bucking bulls, maybe. Or find a girl with land that wants babies. I don’t know.”
“A girl, huh?” Parker was hung up on babies. “You want to be a cowboy daddy?”
“Not like Skyler does, but maybe. Not really.”
He raised an eyebrow. Sky wanted kids? Not once had Sky ever told him that. They’d never discussed it.
He’d never even considered the idea.
“Sky wants a dog.”
“Yeah? That’s cool. Did you get rid of the demon kitty, or is he hiding?”
“Sky locked him in our bedroom for you. I hate to break it to you, but the demon kitty is only your demon. He adores me. He loved our neighbor, Maddie, when she came by over the weekend. Oh, she brought the best lemon squares, they’re in the fridge. Make sure you have some.” He started up the grill. “Anyway, the cat only hates you.”
“Fuck you, asshole. This is his demon magic working on you, I know.” Parker was laughing at him.
“That’s it. I’m under his spell. I’m also owned. He breathes in my face until I feed him in the morning. He’s almost as bad as Sky.” He laughed with Parker.
“Fucking cat,” Parker muttered under his breath. “Dude. Sky cooks with you, though. That’s cool.”
“Yeah, he’s learning. He likes to grill. I’m surprised he’s not out here pushing me out of the way. He’s gotten good at it. Do you cook?”
“Nope. I eat, though.”
“Wait until your metabolism crashes, butthead.” Sky brought out the chicken.
“Speak of the devil.” Beck looped an arm around Sky and kissed that little spot on the back of his neck that made Sky shiver.
“Mmm…yeah.” Sky put the chicken down hard.