Page 48 of Truth or Spare

Dewey shook his head and swallowed loudly. “I don’t. Not really,” he said, then swore when Cassie pinched him.

“You better hush, Doobie. He looks just like Prince Charming and that’sexactlywhat you deserve.”

“You look so handsome, Brooks,” Theo said to Dewey, tipping his head toward the door. “Shall we?”

“Shall we…?” Dewey was still stuck on the part where Prince Charming said thathe, Dewey Morgan Brooks, looked handsome. “Pinch me again, Cass.”

“Go!” she ordered and gave his arm a sharp pinch.

“Ow!” He jumped and ran to get the door for Theo and Walter, giving her a curt nod on the way out. “Thanks, I think.”

“Have a nice night, you two!” She called after them.

“I’ll do my best,” Dewey said quietly and had to catch his breath as Theo and Walter waited by his truck. He was dizzy again, and Dewey ached, he wanted so desperately to keep them. He couldn’t fathomhowhe could be so lucky or why anyone thought he deserved it, but Dewey begged the universe to let Theo stay as he jogged around to the passenger side to get the door.

The drive down the street was too short for more than a few pleasantries, but Dewey had never felt as proud.

“Maybe we could go for a ride tomorrow, if the weather’s nice. The bowling alley will be closed and I should have given you a tour of Oslo weeks ago,” he said as he parked in front of his house.

“I’d love that,” Theo said and nodded at Walter, on the bench between them. “Looks like he enjoys going for drives.”

Dewey smiled at the dog, once again kicking himself for not getting one sooner. “A Sunday drive with you two… I can’t wait,” he said as he got out and Dewey was glad he was a large, heavy man. He would have floated away, he was sohappyas he went around to get the passenger door.

“This is nice, Brooks,” Theo said as Dewey offered his arm.

He smiled at the house, seeing it as it was when he was a teenager. The lawn was a lush spring green and he heard his mother playing piano. There was a light on upstairs in Roddy’s room and Dewey could smell his dad’s chicken riggies. “I always thought so, but it’s all I know,” he said, then wondered if Theo only saw a simple A-frame with a wrap-around porch. “I’ve done my best to take good care of it.”

They climbed the steps and Dewey said another wish as he opened the door, hoping that this might be their home too one day.

“Thank goodness!” Theo whispered and crossed himself.

Dewey wasn’t sure what to make of that. “Thank goodness?”

Theo chuckled as he lowered to unclip Walter’s leash. “It’s a bit late to back out now. I’m pretty much locked in, unless you have hundreds of antique dolls or a taxidermy fetish. But this is all…rather tasteful,” he said with a delighted laugh, gesturing at the simple teak living room furniture and the long, oval dining table.

Dewey’s grandparents had splurged on the set in the city, when they were newlyweds. It had held up surprisingly well and Dewey had reupholstered the chairs and sofa with a simple denim fabric the summer before his arms and hands started bothering him.

“The antique dolls are in my parents’ old room and I keep my taxidermy collection in the attic. It’s drier up there,” Dewey said, making Theo choke on a startled gasp.

“Ja?” he asked hoarsely.

“No, there’s nothing like that,” Dewey said flatly. “Imoved into my parents’ old room when Cass and Bryce needed a place. They stayed here for about five years, until Cassie bought a house over on Baker Street. I packed up all of Dad’s fishing trophies and Mom’s knick-knacks and pictures are up in the attic in case Bryce ever wants any of it.”

Theo grinned sheepishly. “I do have a habit of assuming the worst, but I think it’s because you’re so…quiet and keep so much in here.” He tapped on Dewey’s forehead, then swayed closer and pecked at his lips. “But I like what I’ve seen so far and I’m in, even if this evening includes an intimate demonstration of your incredible train collection.”

“Nope. Don’t have one of those either.”

“Whew!” Theo wiped his brow and laughed. “That one has actually happened to me. There is something very sinister and ominous about two grown, naked men, eating caviar and ice cream on the floor, with a train and an entire circus menagerie circling them.”

“Jesus. What?” Dewey asked, horrified.

Theo widened his eyes at Dewey and shuddered. “Let’s save that for another day,” he suggested.

“Okay.” Dewey gestured for Theo to follow him to the kitchen. “Cassie made something called ‘Marry Me Chicken’ and told me not to let it sit too long. She said the sauce and the pasta will get gross and then it won’t work.”

“I cannot wait to try this!”

“I tasted the sauce. It’s good, but I wouldn’t propose,” Dewey said and turned, halting Theo before they got any closer to the stove. “Whatever you do, resist the urge. I just got you to stop asking.”

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