A loud choking sound made me turn my head. Forest’s face was turning red as he furiously coughed. It took him a little while to catch his breath. “Sorry, something went down the wrong way,” he said, still sounding hoarse.
I grinned, knowing exactly what had made Forest choke on his food. “Not that kind of top. We’re not allowed to speculate there. It’s the Army nickname for his rank. We call him Top.”
Nash buried his face in his hands. “There are days when I wonder why I even bother with you guys.”
Bean patted his shoulder. “Because you love us.”
“Not right now,” Nash said with a sigh. “Not right now.”
Creek had watched the whole exchange with growing confusion. “I’m missing something.”
Heath bumped his shoulder. “No, honey, it’s fine. I’ll explain later.”
I doubted he would since Creek seemed rather protective of his little brother, but that was between him and Heath. No way was I getting in the middle of that.
“I don’t want you to feel pressured to offer, Nash,” Forest said softly when silence had descended. “I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.”
“You didn’t. I meant it. The house is too big for me by myself.”
Forest studied him as if he wasn’t sure what to think. I couldn’t help myself. “Nash wouldn’t offer if he didn’t mean it.”
“Oh.” Forest took one more look at Nash, then nodded. “In that case, I will gladly take you up on the offer.”
“Good. Good.” Nash looked away, focusing on me. “How’s ASL going?”
He was the absolute worst at changing the topic, but whatever. I could extend him a hand. “Good. I passed my last test with flying colors, thanks to practicing a lot with Dayton and Dax.”
It had made a world of difference to spend more time voice-off. Dayton truly didn’t seem to mind, and with Dax, I had no choice. I’d picked up a ton of new signs and expressions, and my teacher had actually complimented me. Spontaneously.
“And I have a job,” I said. Everyone turned to look at me. “Dax has offered me a part-time position in his shop. I’m gonna specialize in restoring old cars. Multiple people have reachedout to him, looking for someone like that. The job comes with the requirement that I take some official mechanic classes. I’ve already signed up for those. Figured I’d better take them while I still have some hearing left.”
“That’s wonderful,” Bean said. “But it does sound like a lot. You’re still continuing with ASL, too, right?”
I nodded. “Yes, but less intensively. And with Dax, my hours are flexible, so if I’m having a bad day with my equilibrium and am unable to drive, he understands.”
“Sounds like you hit the jackpot there,” Nash commented.
Another wave of soft fuzziness came over me, this deep tenderness, and I put my head on Dayton’s shoulder. “I sure did.”
“Awwww….” Bean and Creek said at the same time.
Nash’s mouth curled into a smile that was sweet yet sad at the same time. “Seems like my work with you guys is done.”
“The baby birds have flown the nest,” Creek said, slapping Nash on the shoulder. “So now it’s time for you to focus on you.”
Nash focusing on himself? Oh, I didn’t think so. That would mean finding a new project to obsess over, a new lost cause who needed his help. And I had an inkling who that would be. But you know what? I’d let him figure that out on his own.
I would focus on my own life. My own happiness. My own man, the one sitting right next to me.
And so I leaned in for a kiss. A soft, sweet, sensual kiss. And if it lasted a little longer than appropriate in a public setting?
I was sheer out of fucks.
