Chapter 4
Parker stared out the living room window, listening to Sierra jabber at him about her bath, her baby doll, all sorts of shit.
She was adorable.
Hopefully, Heath was cool with him spending the night. Otherwise, he’d be sleeping in the recliner.
Dammit.
“Sierra-berra, it’s bedtime.” Sky came in and scooped her up. “Say goodnight to Uncle Parker.”
“Night, Uncle Parker.”
“Good night, baby girl. Sleep well.” He blew her a kiss. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Night-night. Night-night,” she sang as Sky brought her over to Heath.
“Night, Sierra.” Heath smiled at her and gave her a little wave.
“Goodnight, pumpkin.” Beck kissed her head. “Sleep tight.”
Heath stood up. “Hey, man. Thanks for having me. This was fun. Skyler is a really good cook. I’m stuffed.”
“He will take that as a compliment.” Beck shook Heath’s hand. “Park? You good to follow Heath home?”
“Are you sure it’s cool, man? I mean, I really do appreciate you letting me crash.” And he’d be the best house guest for a night that the man ever had.
“Of course. I live alone, I have a second bedroom, so you’re totally welcome.” Heath pulled his keys out of his pocket. “You want to drive your own truck, or drive with me?”
“Do you mind if I ride with you?” Two beers was one too many on icy road.
“Nope, I’m good. Why waste the gas? Do you have a bag or…bags?”
“I have a duffel, yeah.” He knew how to travel. It had been his whole life.
“Thanks again, Heath.” Beck walked them to the door. “We all really appreciate it.”
“Sure, sure. Night, Beckett.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll see y’all in the morning.” He’d promised Charlie they could go shopping together.
“Sounds good. Night.” Beckett gave a wave and the door closed behind them.
“Grab your bag. I’ll start my truck.” Heath left him standing on the front stoop.
He took a deep breath and then made his way to his truck, slipping and sliding all the way over. He made it without falling on his ass, thank God for small favors.
It was damn cold out, but Heath’s truck was warming up. “You need some winter shoes. Pick some up while you’re shopping with Charlie. I turned on your seat heater.”
“Yeah. I totally need to.” Seat heaters were the coolest thing ever. Pun intended. “It’ll be worse tomorrow, huh?”
“Well, it’ll be normal. We don’t think snow is bad up here.” Heath grinned over. “But if you’re not used to snow, then yes. It’ll be worse.”
“I’ve seen a bit of snow when I was riding, but usually if it was snowy, I’d fly in, you know?” It was just easier.
“Sure. Well, I’m your ride back tomorrow, so don’t stress it.” Snow was actually falling lightly as they pulled out of Sky’s driveway. “Have you been up here many times?”
“Oh, yeah. I was here when Sierra was born. I am here for Sky’s event every year at a minimum, and then if they need pet sitting, I can do that.” He didn’t want to talk about Walter, dammit.
Heath laughed. “What do you do with Walter when you pet sit? I mean…that animal has it out for you. I’ve never seen that before.”
“I pray. A lot.” He looked over and grinned. “Also, he does like his food.”
Heath cracked up. “Everyone has their Achilles heel.”
“You know it. Some of us have had theirs repaired more than once, even.” God, he amused himself.
“Oh. Ow. Really?” Heath glanced at him. “That’s a horrible injury.”
“Yeah. I’ve had mine surged on four times. It can be harsh.” But it was part and parcel of the whole genie gig.
“Damn. Does it hurt all the time?” The roads had no streetlights and, as the snow got heavier, all he could really see was a tunnel in front of them where the headlights were shining on the road.
“Looks like we left at the right time. Should be home in twenty minutes or so. I’m taking it a little easier with the weather. ”
“No problem. I’m in no hurry.” And hurting was just part of life, wasn’t it? It didn’t help a bit to worry about it.
“Well, I’m sorry you can’t stay with Skyler and Beckett. They’re good people. Sounds like you’ll be able to get back over there in a few days maybe.”
“I really appreciate you letting me crash. I can’t tell you how much it means.” Parker hated knowing that he was putting someone out.
“I have some idea. Beckett may have mentioned…a little.”
“Yeah, what can I say? My mom and I have always had a bit of a rocky relationship, and well, I’m not getting any less gay…” It was weird because he didn’t say that word very often. He sure as shit said it now.
“I’m sorry, but you have to be you, right?” Heath shrugged. “My mom is a super-ally. She’s the one wearing the Free Mom Hugs T-shirt and rainbow boa at the Pride parade.”
“Oh good for her. Seriously.” He had never been to a Pride parade. He couldn’t imagine him doing that. Or someone like Skyler going to one? They might be gay, but he didn’t want to get killed.
He just wanted to be him without having to stress about everything all the time.
“She’s a lot, but in a good way. She means well and she loves me, so I won’t complain about the enthusiasm.” Heath turned down a narrow road, and he could see a light, and then two, and then a house came into view, a warm glow coming from the downstairs windows. “That’s my place. Almost there.”
Attractive. Nice. “I like it.” Whatever it was, it was better than a hotel, and he’d take it.
“Thanks. It’s just a little farmhouse in the dark, but wait until you see the view in the morning. Especially off the deck. I didn’t buy it for the house, or for the commute, which is longer than I’d like. I bought it for the view.”
“I can’t wait to see it.” He wasn’t even being sarcastic. He loved taking pictures of new places, new sights.
Heath smiled over at him, then pulled into the driveway. “I’m lazy about shoveling. Sorry. There’s a path if you want to slide over to my side to get out.” Heath stopped the car, and sure enough, the passenger side was pretty snowy. He’d probably be up to his knees.
Heath climbed out and stepped back, holding the truck door open. “It’s a little slippery too, so be careful in those boots.”
“I’ll try. If I fall, catch me.” He winked. God knew Heath was bigger than him by a goodly amount. Surely the man could make a catch. He looked like he had really nice hands.
“You got it.” And Heath looked oddly eager to try too.
He slid out of the truck, hit the path and, sure enough, his boots kept on sliding.
Heath grabbed him under the arms and knees, picked him up, trudged the maybe ten feet to the cleared off front porch and set him down like he was carrying a child.
“No broken bones on my watch.” Heath laughed and went back for his bag, boots making crunching sounds in the snow.
“Thanks. I feel like a newborn foal out there, but it’s sure fun.” He was going to spring wood if he wasn’t careful.
“You looked like one, too. I’m sure I have an extra pair of boots with better traction than those.
Beckett probably wants you back without a broken neck.
” Heath closed up the truck, shouldered his bag, and made his way back, pulling keys out of his pocket.
“Boots and anything snowy comes off in the mud room. There are slippers and flip-flops and stuff there if you want shoes. The floor, especially downstairs, can get cold. Come on in.”
Those were a lot of words, but he followed enough to hear, “Take off your damn boots,” so he did that.
“Cool.” The stairs going up were right outside the mudroom and Heath set his bag down there and went to a wood stove in the corner of the cozy living room. There was a deep couch, a recliner, and a huge TV. “You want anything? Beer? Tea? I like a hot tea at night.”
“I’ll take a tea, sure. Thank you.” Beck drank tea, so he’d tried it. It was okay.
“Yeah? Cool.” Heath stacked wood in the stove, and it came to life, making that familiar roaring sound before Heath shut the door. “I have lots. Do you want caffeine? If not, I have herbal and decaf. Come on in the kitchen. It’ll warm up in here in a minute.”
“What do you usually have?” He knew mint for upset stomachs, regular, chamomile for old ladies, and iced.
“Oh, I have this vanilla chamomile that’s really nice before bed.” Heath snorted. “I can’t cook, but I can boil water for tea.”
“Rock on. I can grill a steak and a hot dog.” He winked over. “And I open a potato chip bag like a master.”
“Yeah? You should see me with a frozen pizza. Mwah.” Heath made a chef’s kiss gesture with his fingers.
“Dude, you speak my language. Frozen pizza is proof we are loved.” His favorite ones had the little bitty chunks of pepperoni.
Heath shook his head. “Don’t say that out loud around Beckett. He’s harsh.”
“He doesn’t like pizza? I swear, he’s a bit of a nutbag.” That was unnatural.
“Frozen pizza. He thinks I’m some kind of lonely frozen pizza eating recluse.
” Heath snorted and set a kettle on the stove.
“He’s right about the frozen pizza, I guess.
Did you want to settle in? I’m sure you’re ready to get some sleep.
Beckett said you’d been driving for hours.
I can bring you tea up when it’s ready.”
“Whatever works for you. I’m good at socializing. I’m good at going away. I’ll take the bag up and then come back for the tea.”
“I’m definitely not sending you away. I just don’t want you to feel like you have to be polite. I get it. Or, well, I don’t really get it, but I understand it’s been a tough few days for you.”
“Then let’s sit together. Chat. I like meeting people.”
“Cool.” Heath nodded. “That couch is super comfy. Do you like honey or sugar or something in your tea? I like a splash of milk and a little honey.”
“Honey, please. I’ve never had milk in tea, so I’ll maybe not do that.” He wasn’t sure that sounded doable.
Heath laughed and pulled two mugs out of a cabinet. “As you wish. So you rodeo?”
“I do.” At least part-time. He was damn tired, and he had cash, so he wasn’t covering as many bulls as he used to.