Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Dillon found himself alone in the kitchen about half an hour after Coke and Nate left. Wow. Alone. Quiet. In the kitchen.
It must be the end of days.
It was getting to be time to take Coke away, just somewhere for a few days before the season started. Hell, Coke’s house wasn’t far, a few hours. They could go and sleep for a week.
Dillon stretched tall, arms over his head, then swooped into a forward fold before stretching out into downward dog. He was learning yoga from a streaming program on his tablet.
It was surprisingly challenging and he wavered between asking Coke to try it and hiding the idea of it from his stiff, solid lover so Coke didn’t hurt himself trying. Poor Coke. He was so not bendy…
“Uh, did you lose something, honey?”
Dillon popped up at the words to see Brenda, Jason Scott’s mom, staring at him. “Nope. Coffee?”
“You aren’t going to find the coffee down there, honey.”
He chuckled. “I was just stretching. I mean would you like a cup?”
“No thank you. I’m coffeed out.” She came to sit, though, her hand landing on the table with a tink. “Lord, I’m not used to wearing a ring on that finger, yet. It’s been a long time.”
“Congratulations.” He was pretty sure he and Coke had sent a gift.
“Thank you. How’s Coke holding up?”
“Tired. A little sore.” Frankly, Dillon thought Coke was worn to the bone.
“Yeah. He takes everything personal.”
“He does.” Dillon tilted his head. “You’ve known him a long time.”
“Since he was a teenager, yes, sir.”
“Okay.” Dillon sat across from her at the table. “So, what’s the deal with his family? Did they have a big falling out or something? He never talks about them.”
“Oh, honey. Falling out? That’s nothing. This was a holocaust. Don’t ever, ever bring it up to him. That’s a hurt that can’t be fixed.”
Dillon sat back in his chair, eyebrows flying up to his hairline. “Yeah? What happened?”
“He had a twin that wasn’t the best guy ever, I guess.
I’m not sure what he did that was so wrong, but I know that he killed himself when they were eighteen and the parents said it was Coke’s fault.
They turned him out without so much as a dollar, just the clothes he had.
” She grinned, the expression more bittersweet than not.
“I was so worried that he was a drifter, but Danny said no. No, this was a good boy who was going to become a better man.”
“Oh.” Dillon ached for Coke then, so young and without prospects. “That sucks. God, no wonder he hates to think about it.”
“Yeah. He did it, though. He did all the things he had to, gave his old life away and become the man we all know. I’m proud of him.”
“I wish he would open up some.” Dillon sighed. “I admit it—I’m nosy. Touchy feely, too.”
“I think that part of him is gone. I think it was so bad that he let it die.”
Dillon couldn’t even imagine that, but that wasn’t his experience. How could he judge? “Thanks, Brenda. I really appreciate the insight.”
“No worries, honey. He’s a good guy. He always has been.” Brenda reached out and patted his hand.
“He is. He rocks.” Dillon’s cheeks flushed, because Brenda had to know he and Coke were together, but he’d never been so brazen about it with someone not in the same, uh, sexual boat as him.
Brenda hooted, patted his hand. “You know, I think I’m going to find my husband and see where he’s hiding.”
“Thanks. Oh, here, I’ll get you that coffee to go.” He poured two cups, and he thought he remembered how she and Jack both took it.
She gave him a curious look, then took the cups. “Thanks, honey. Get some rest.”
“I think I will.” Dillon waved at her when she left him, and he leaned on the counter, chewing his lower lip.
Poor Coke. That was ridiculous. Seriously.
To just abandon baby Coke. Then blaming him for his brother’s death?
Even with Coke as a teenager and not fully grown, Dillon refused to believe Coke could be responsible for anything like that.
He found the bassets curled up on the couch out in the family room, Benji snoring away with them. That was an amazing place to nap, and it was a sectional. Plenty of room for a skinny clown.
He eased himself down, put his head on Pansy’s belly. Naptime.
He needed to enjoy the quiet. God knew around here it wouldn’t last.