“You’re bargaining for a free meal?” Pop laughed. “Kids today.”
“It’s a reasonable question. If you order ham and pineapple, I’d rather eat the free food at school.”
“Okay. Fair point. I just like cheese pizza. You and Liam can work out what’s on the other.”
“Sounds good. But one condition.”
“You’re testing my good nature, Mr. Henderson.”
Coury winked at Liam. “You let me kick in for the pizza. I can’t freeload every time I come over.”
Pop shook his head. “Out of the question. If I did that, I’d have to make Liam pay, too.” He grabbed Coury’s shoulder. “You’re not a freeloader. I’ve known you so long, you’re practically family. It’s almost like having Beckett here, only with more manners and a bit less . . . everything.”
Liam struggled to keep his smile. Family. Beckett. He was crushing on someone Pop saw as family.Fuck my life.
“That’s Becks,” Coury said. “Fine, but expect something next time I come visit.”
“Good enough. We can argue aboutthatthe next time. Go change, push on the wall to stretch, or whatever you do to get warm. I’ll get Slider ready for you.”
* * *
It had taken a few false starts for the three of them to get in sync, meaning for Slider to figure out the routine. The dog wanted to stop and sniff every tree, pole, pile of snow—especially if another dog had found it first—and anything else he could find. Finally, he got with the program and they got into a rhythm.
And because the universe didn’t hate Liam enough, Coury turned out to be a great running partner. Their strides were about equal and Coury didn’t tire easily. If anything, it was Slider slowing them down.
“Did I tell you Pop has a girlfriend?” Liam said when they stopped at an intersection.
“No way.” Coury grinned. “Have you met her?”
Liam shook his head. “If he didn’t act all weird whenever she called, I’d swear she was made up.”
The light changed and they set off again.
“What does he do that’s weird?” Coury asked.
“He stands up taller, talks in strange sentences, and—get this—he fixes hishair. Like she can see him.”
“They don’t FaceTime?”
Liam snorted. “Are you kidding? I heard him trying to help her with her phone andhe’stechno-challenged.”
“That’s kind of cute.”
“Cute?” Liam said it so loud, Slider barked. “He’s . . . he’s . . .”
“He’s an adult who lost his soul mate and she makes him feel alive.” Coury smiled like it was the sweetest thing.Fuck. Coury’ssmilewasthe sweetest thing.
“Why would you say that? You didn’t even know he had a girlfriend.”
“Come on, Liam. You moved in and he perked up. Now he’s met someone who makes him want to look good and be better. It’s nice.”
Liam nearly stopped running. Only Slider pulling on the leash kept him moving. Coury had nailed what Liam couldn’t pin down. “That’s actually amazingly accurate.” Another example of Coury being more than the dumb jock he claimed to be.
“Not to be morbid, but he won’t be around forever,” Coury said. “Try to be supportive. Let him enjoy the years he has left. I never met my mom’s father. And my gran died three years ago.”
Coury sucked in a quick breath and rubbed his left eye. If they weren’t running, Liam would have hugged him.
“Wow. I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” Beckett probably did, but he’d never told Liam.
