Page 106 of Force At Third

“Barbeque in Walton so the boys can see where the people they’ve been held up with are from.”

“You sure you can carve out enough time?” Gwen asks. “You’re gonna need a good … I don’t know, thirty minutes to tour the entire town.”

Pope leans back and links his fingers behind his neck. “Good barbeque and great company are all you need.”

“Nothing beats a Texas barbeque,” Dad adds.

Ms. Deb stands up. “Who’s hungry?”

“Me.” AJ stands. “I’ll help.”

Blaze follows suit. “I can, too.”

He stops in front of looking at where my arm is around her waist, then up at me, totally fucking stone-faced. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks, man. Appreciate it.” And I do that while trying not to laugh because, straight up, what the fuck?

He then looks at Gwen. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m feeling better, thanks.”

“Are you here under duress?”

“What?” She laughs so hard she snorts then hugs him.

To that, he smiles. “Congratulations, Gwen.”

“The fuck was that about?” I ask him.

And he looks at me, again stone-faced as he leans in and whispers, “That ring? Do better next time.”

“You asshole.” I laugh, “Bring it in.”

Gwen smiles and heads toward her Mom.

He gives me a half-ass hug and steps back. “Love her the right way.”

“You got a crush on my girl, Bennett?” I ask.

“She’s special. She and CeCe. You or Hart fuck up …” He arches a brow and walks away.

“Kid’s a trip.” Pope hands me a beer.

“He’s getting more confident on and off the field.”

“He is. Gonna be better than his old man was at his age.” Pope cracks his open and smiles in the direction of Dad and Danny. “How’s he doing?”

“Second knee replacement’s healing up good.”

“And how are you?” he asks.

“Pissed I missed all those years with her, grateful she’s alive and, honest to God, I can’t wait to live our lives together as husband and wife.”

“How are you gonna feel when she’s chasing bad guys again?” he asks.

I take a drink and let that sink in a bit, and then I tell him straight up, “No clue.”

“I get that.”

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