Page 42 of A Taste of Chardonnay

“Sorry… But you—”

“I should take him to the ER. Got it. Let the guys know the door’s unlocked. They can just go in.”

I put the truck in reverse.

“Where are we going?” Ron asked.

“Hospital.”

“I’m not going to the hospital. Bring me home.”

“You were inhaling propane for who knows how long. You need to get checked out.”

“No, I need to go back to my house.”

“I am not arguing with you.” There may have been times in my youth when I wished him dead, but I wasn’t going to let him die on my watch.

Jack nudged the back of my neck, and I glanced at him in the rearview. His head turned toward the cat, and I realized there was no way I could leave Jack and the damn cat in my truck.

I slipped my phone from my pocket and called Franc. He answered on the second ring.

“What’s up?” he said, Gio laughing in the background.

“Can you do me a favor?”

“Shh,” he said to most likely Gio. “Hang on. Go help Quinn with the popcorn.” There was rustling on the other end, then Franc was back. “Sorry. Getting ready for a movie marathon. What’s up?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“Brady, you never ask for favors. What’s going on?”

“I have to take Ron to the ER.”

“Is he okay?”

“I think so, but I have Jack and Ron’s cat. I can’t leave them in the truck, and I don’t know how long we’re going to be in there.”

“I can take Jack, but Gio’s friend is here, and he’s allergic to cats.”

Just my shit luck. “No worries,” I said. “I’ll figure something out.”

“I can come with you, sit in the truck with the animals.”

“I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

“You never ask for anything, and when you finally do, I’m useless.”

“Don’t worry about it, brother. I appreciate it. Go be with your family. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Keep me posted.”

“Will do.”

I ended the call. I hated to be a burden to anyone. Franc was my best friend, so I didn’t mind asking him. I could easily call another Grasso. One of them was bound to help. I glanced at Ron, who had fallen asleep. The cat was curled in his arms.

Before I could make a decision about who to call next, my phone rang. I glanced down and saw Chardonnay’s name on the screen. I could ask her, but we had just slept together. I didn’t want her to think I was using her now. With a grumble, I answered.

“Franc said you needed someone to watch Jack and your dad’s cat,” she said, taking me aback. I literally just hung up with him.

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