“Yessir. You’re looking happy.”
“We are. We prayed for you when you got hurt.” Mitch clapped Sky on the back. “Me and Chris both.”
If Sky didn’t have a bruise already, there was no escaping one now. “Thanks, Mitch. Sky worked his ass off, but everyone’s energy helped. That and his kickass PT.”
“Oh, man. I know all about that. Those guys make you love them and hate them. I can’t want to have a talk over supper. Hopefully we’ll have five minutes between fans.”
Sky snorted. “You wish. Where are you? We’re on the eleventh floor of the Mandalay.”
Mitch blinked. “No shit? Us too.”
“Whoa. Cool, we can share a cab later. It’s nice up there, right?” They’d had some parties back in the day. Rooms that close might make for some late nights unless they’d all grown up too much. Hard to know. He wasn’t, but he always felt old in this group. Maybe it was the lawyer thing.
“I’d love that. We’d love to have some beers and talk without looking to see who’s listening.”
Sky nodded and looked up at him. “That work for you, honey?”
“It absolutely does. We can go back right after dinner as far as I’m concerned. I don’t need the bar scene.” Just talk sounded like everyone was a little more chill these days. That worked for him.
“Sounds good to me. Okay, man. I got an interview to run to. I’ll see you in a few hours.” Mitch hugged Beck. “Good to see you. I know you been working too hard to come out.”
“I’ve made better decisions. Good ride, man.” Working too hard. That was kind of Sky. It also made him feel a little less like Sky had given up on him.
He glanced at Sky as Mitch jogged away. “Jesus. We’re a couple of stupid assholes.”
“Yes. I’m glad you came to the hospital. I think…I think I would have given up without you.”
“I only thought about it for about thirty seconds. I knew you needed me, because if it had been me, I’d have needed you.” He tugged his hat down a little, stuffed his hands in his pockets, rocked on his heels…anything to keep his eyes from leaking in the middle of the stupid arena. “We’re good. You’re kicking ass and I’ve never been more proud of you.”
“We are good. Love you, babe. Come on. Let’s wander.”
Wandering was exactly what it was. Sky got stopped by everyone for a handshake or a quick hello. Beckett followed along, smiling and being proud.
“Where do you want me when the riding starts? Back here? In the stands?”
“I got you a seat in the family section so we can sneak out through the back together, but you’re not getting run over.”
“Awesome. Thank you. The ladies love me.” He laughed, but it was true. He got hit on more at these things than anywhere else.
“You’re hot, suave, and taken. What’s not to love?”
“Suave?” He laughed. “Yeah, okay. I’ll take hot, though.”
“And taken. Own that.” Sky grinned at him, bumped their shoulders together.
“Taken…hmmm. Yeah, I guess. I mean, I do wear your ring everywhere I go. I’ll have to flash it at them more often.” He’d taken it off though, for a couple of years. It wasn’t giving up; it was more that it was hard to look at every day.
“There you go. I was worried I was going to be too swollen to wear mine.”
“Nah. You’re a stud.” He couldn’t figure out what was wrong with them. They had the hardest time having real conversations in their own house with lots of privacy, but they could have a fight in his Jeep or a heartfelt discussion in a bull riding arena with dozens of people around.
Of course, they had done this years ago, talked when there was no chance of things going too far, too wild, too loud.
What was that really about? Playing it safe? Avoiding the things that weren’t working? Things hadn’t really changed that much, had they? They’d just wised up a little. Hopefully enough.
“I better get a seat, things are going to get started soon.”
“Yeah. I’ll help Parker, and then we’ll hasta.”