“You’re a brilliant asshole.”
“Hey, guys, seat yourselves.” A server handed them menus.
“Booth. High sides. Over there.” He didn’t want to pretend to be polite or worry about his table manners. He was too damn tired.
“Perfect.” Jack slid in, took his hat off, and then took his hands under the table once he’d settled. “Hey.”
He tangled their fingers. “Hey, baby. It’s good to see you.” It was good just to sit for a minute. “How are you holding up? For real.”
“Honestly? It’s weird. It’s better and worse than usual. Worse because I have a home, and I want to be there, and because Mother just won’t wake up.”
“He will. I did let him know he needed to open his eyes for a bit before the team takes off for Pendleton. Maybe he’ll listen.” He winked at Jack, because they both knew that was ridiculous, but hope was important. “Why is it better than usual?”
Jack tilted his head, blinking. “Because you’re here.”
“Oh.” He smiled, despite the stress of the day and couldn’t hide his blush. “Good. I’m glad.”
“What’ll you have, guys?” The server set down water and utensils.
“I want a glass of water and a Bud Light, and we need onion rings for an appetizer. Lots of onion rings.”
“Water, yes please. Um. Whatever IPA you have on tap, and another minute with the menu?”
She laughed at them both. “You got it. Beer and onion rings coming right up.”
“Mmm. Fried food. I feel better already.”
“See? Beer. Onion rings. It helps, all the way.” Jack winked at him, his lover visibly relaxing.
“Right? You’re a smart one, cowboy.” Their drinks arrived quickly, and Hudson took a huge, long, sip of his beer. “Ahh. So cold. So good.”
“Hell, yeah.” Jack did the same, and they sort of simply sat for a minute before Jack opened his menu. “You want a burger? They got all sorts of things.”
“I don’t know. I might be happy with another beer and onion rings.” God, he was tired all of a sudden. He picked up his water and drank the whole thing down.
“Then let’s split the appetizer platter—there’s sliders and fried cheese and chicken deals. Yay protein.”
“Perfect. I might pass out if I eat a whole burger, you know? Ooh.”
The onion rings arrived with a bottle of ketchup, and Hudson dug right in.
Jack ordered the apps and more onion rings, along with ranch dressing.
“You and your ranch, so weird.” He laughed, eating like he hadn’t in days. “You know I didn’t like these as a kid? I’d have walked away from this plate.”
“And you call me weird.” Jack waggled his eyebrows.
“I outgrew the weird. You didn’t. Should we have another beer, or will we pass out?”
That was a fond, warm smile. “You can have another beer. I’m going to switch to coffee. I’m driving.”
“Nah. I kind of want to be awake when we go to bed.” He could always find just enough energy to urge Jack into a quick fuck.
“Yeah? You want to seduce my happy ass?” Jack obviously was trying for innocent. It wasn’t working.
“Not that it takes much.” He laughed. “A closed hotel room door is usually enough. Maybe a raised eyebrow. If you’re really distracted, I might have to run my fingers over your fly.”
“Yeah, if I remember correctly, you require a finger.” Jack winked and curled his finger in a clear “come here.”