“Shut up,” his friend mumbled with no real venom.
“Rough night?”
“Not everyone has a hot chick in their bed.”
“Hey.”
“What? You denying Covington is hot?” Dylan asked.
“No. But she’s not somechick.”
“Nope. According to the rumor mill she’s carrying your chicks.”
“Seriously? What the hell did you have for breakfast? Whatever it was it’s disagreeing with you,” Tris said, his words laced with the anger suddenly burning through his veins.
“Take it easy. I’m only telling you what’s flying around. It made it all the way to my mother in Florida. Damn woman was on the phone at five this morning asking why the hell I hadn’t found myself a lovely girl to settle down with like Tristan has.” Dylan shook his head. “I swear, all she talks about lately is how old she is and if I don’t get moving she’ll be dead by the time I make her a grandmother.”
Tris swallowed. “Sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. I was just stirring anyway.”
They were quiet for a few seconds, but as the stationhouse came into view Dylan broke the silence.
“So are we happy or…”
“Happy.” Tris turned to face his friend as they pulled into a parking spot. “I’d be even happier if she’d marry me.”
“You’ve asked?”
“Yes. No. Sort of.”
Dylan sat in stunned silence for a moment then burst out laughing. By the time he’d caught his breath Tris was out of the truck and halfway to the door. Glancing over as Dylan moved beside him he wondered if he could escape the third degree he was sure was coming.
“Okay. So I’m a little confused. Did you or didn’t you ask her to marry you?”
No escape. “I suggest we get married before I found out the babies were mine. We haven’t talked about it since.”
Dylan stopped. “You offered marriage thinking she was carrying someone else’s kids?”
Tris shrugged.
“Jesus. You’re in love with her.”
“Of course I am.”
“She’s the reason you came here. You were running.” Dylan narrowed his eyes, clenched his fists at his sides. “You didn’t take off when she told you she was pregnant did you?”
“Really? You’re asking me that?”
“Right, right. I forgot who I was talking to. You’re that guy who’s mooned over another man’s woman…oh shit. It’s Covington.” Dylan shook his head. “Why didn’t I put the pieces together sooner? Fuck. Does Dirk know?”
“I have no idea. Haven’t spoken to him in weeks and Cov hasn’t said.”
“You need to clear that up.”
“That’s the least of what I need to clear up. He’s out of the picture and has been since the day I—”
“Are you two girls planning to work today or spend it gossiping in the driveway?” Chief Maguire yelled from the front door.