19
Jack watched Hudson head in to help Sid with supper, feeling just about stunned.
Mackey arched an eyebrow, staring into his fucking soul. “So?”
“I called and made an offer, and we put the earnest money down.”
“We?”
Well, there wasn’t anything wrong with Mackey’s hearing.
“Yeah. We talked money. We talked about… us.” Which was weird, but… not. All at once. He felt a little like he was racing across the arena, looking for an open space to jump off.
“Us?” Mackey leaned back in his chair and grinned at him. “What’s he got on you? Pictures? A recording?”
“Maybe of me snoring.” And that dick pic. “You like it? The idea?”
He wasn’t holding his breath. Nope. Not at all.
“Hell yes. He’s into you. You’re into him. You next door is a great damn idea.” Mackey slapped one on Jack’s thigh. “What’s he gonna do out here, or is he staying in Denver?”
He didn’t know, for sure. He wasn’t sure he’d know if Hudson came out and gave him a blueprint.
“Hm. Looks like maybe you have more talking to do?” Mackey sipped his beer, still watching him like a hawk.
“I reckon.” But that was part of the whole thing, wasn’t it? Talking. Figuring shit out. And as much as he loved Mackey, that wasn’t anyone’s issue but theirs.
“I’m happy for you, man. Hudson is a winner. He gets it. Everybody likes him.” Everybody was a little daunting, but better that than the opposite, he supposed.
“Good. So do I.” Which was handy, because otherwise, whoa. Jack just needed to sit and make a plan—move money around, get his pod deal up here. Deal with the barns, the fences, the house…
“You know, we could knock out a trail between your land and mine? A nice horse trail, just ride back and forth.”
He thought Sid needed a four-wheeler path, but okay. “Yeah, it’ll be the easiest to be able to deal with all the animals. I need to get hold of Angelica to get her working both barns.”
“Oh, yeah. That’s a good idea. So, what did Hudson think of the kitchen?”
“He wants it totally redone. Not a fan.” Quite emphatically, in fact. It had made him laugh.
Mackey laughed. “I told you. Eighties is so… eighties.” Once the laughter settled, though, he got a serious look. “You okay? You good?”
“A little wigged. Never bought a place before. Never bought somewhere with someone before. It’s the right decision, though.” He felt it. The pit of his belly said it was right.
“Mhm. I’d worry if you weren’t wigged. But shacking up is awesome. You’re gonna love it.”
Jack hoped so. He wanted to, more than he ought to admit. He wanted this to be right.
He didn’t want to fuck up one of the good things he had.
Speaking of, that good thing came back out with fresh beers and a tray of antipasti, which Hudson set down before gravitating right to him. “Sid’s got something Italian going in there. Pasta and cheese and meatballs and sausage… looks great.”
“Oh, wow.” His mouth started to water, and he stole a bite of cheese. “Sid is really getting into this, huh?”
“We take turns with dinner.” Mackey nodded. “He cooks, I grill. Sometimes we say fuck it and have PB&J. It works.”
“I do like a good peanut butter sammich, man.” But this cheese stuff was fine.
“The kitchen smells amazing.” Hudson massaged his shoulders. “Hope you’re hungry.”