Page 152 of Forbidden Harmony

“There a problem here?” Preacher said.

“This asshole insulted me and my friend,”the man said.

“The fuck I did,” the smaller man said. “It’snot my fault you stink like beef and cheese, and your friend looks like CaptainKangaroo on a bender.”

“Shut up, Daniel,” Preacher said withoutlooking at Addison’s brother. He squeezed the bigger man’s wrist beforedropping it. “The idiot’s drunk. Walk away, brother.”

“He needs to be taught a lesson,” the mansaid. “His fucking mouth is gonna get him in some real trouble some day.”

“You think you’re the one to teach it tome, you smelly little leprechaun?” Daniel taunted. “I’ll kick your ass so hardyou’ll be tasting my fucking boot in your throat.”

The man surged forward. Preacher shovedhis way between them, pushing the man back. “Get the fuck outta here.”

“What are you, his fucking boyfriend?” theman spat.

“I said leave. Now,” Preacher said. Hegrabbed Daniel’s arm, squeezing it hard when he tried to move past Preacher. “Keepyour fucking mouth shut, Daniel.”

When the man continued to stand there, hischest puffed out like an angry raccoon, and his nostrils flaring, Preachersaid, “Walk away, asshole. Last chance.”

“You’re lucky your boyfriend showed up, youfucking dickhead,” the man said to Daniel.

Daniel flipped him the bird and laughed,swaying on his feet as the man and his friends walked away. “Nice, Preacher. Poundit, baby.”

He held his fist out to Preacher. Preacherignored it and, still holding Daniel by the arm, started toward the door. “Let’sgo.”

“I’m not done my fucking beer,” Daniel slurred.“Preacher, lemme go.”

“Move,” Preacher said. He half dragged,half-carried Daniel out into the warm night air.

Daniel slung his arm around Preacher’s shouldersand grinned up at him. “Hey, who’s the firefighter here? I should be carryingyou.”

Preacher rolled his eyes as Daniel said, “Canyou give me a ride home, man? I’ve had a bit too much to drink and shouldn’t drive.”

“Like you could even stay on my fuckingbike,” Preacher said. “Give me your keys.”

Daniel handed him his keys. “It’s the redtruck over there.”

Sighing, Preacher headed toward the truck,dragging Daniel with him.

Chapter Thirty-Two

“Where the fuck is your housekey?” Preachersaid. He had leaned Daniel against the house, and he prodded him in thechest. “Daniel, wake up.”

Daniel cracked open one eye. “Wha? Whassup?”

“Where’s your housekey? None of these keysare working.”

Daniel squinted at the house. “Wha’ thefuck? This ain’t my house, man.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? This is theaddress you gave me,” Preacher said.

“Nah, couldn’t be. This isn’t my house,this is my -”

The porch light turned on, nearly blindingPreacher, and Daniel lifted his hand to block the light. “Jesus, turn down thesun, would ya?”

The front door opened, and Preacher staredat the auburn-haired woman standing in the doorway in a silk robe. “Oh, Daniel,”she said.

“Hey, Ma.” Daniel waved at her. “What’shappening? You got any toast. I’m hungry.”

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