Page 63 of Forbidden Harmony

“No, she isn’t. So, why are you sitting herelooking like you’re about to crack Lucas in half?”

“Fuck off, Gideon.”

Gideon took a drink of beer. “Don’t worryabout it. Addison isn’t going to go out with him. One, he’s not her type, andtwo, Grace told me she isn’t looking to jump into another relationship rightaway. What did she say when you showed up at the piercing place in Willington?”

“Who says I showed up at the piercing place?”

Gideon snorted. “I’ve known you seven years,asshole. You’re like an open book to me. What did she say?”

“She was surprised and then pissed with me,”Preacher said.

“You must have really done something stupidthen. Addison is the sweetest woman in Harmony Falls.”

“I refused to let her get pierced and literallycarried her out of the shop over my shoulder.”

Gideon choked on his swallow of beer, spittingit out in a fine spray. Tank lifted his head from Preacher’s chest and sniffedthe air before squeezing in between their lawn chairs and licking at the spilledbeer on Gideon’s t-shirt.

Gideon wiped at his mouth. “Are you serious?”

He shrugged. “If she wants another piercing,I’ll do it. The fucker in Willington has a rating below three on goddamn Yelp.”

“Another piercing?” Gideon raised one eyebrowat him.

“Addison didn’t tell Grace she got pierced?”

“If she did, Grace didn’t mention it tome. What did she get pierced?”

“That falls under the piercer/clientconfidentiality agreement,” Preacher said.

Gideon laughed. “Asshole. Fine, keep yourlittle secrets. Just remember that Addison and you won’t work.”

“I know,” Preacher said. “I love you but I’mgetting real tired of you being on my ass about this.”

“Pookie bear, I haven’t even climbed ontoyour ass yet. Trust me, you’ll know when I do.”

Despite his sudden bad mood, Preachercouldn’t help but grin. “You’re such a shithead.”

“Yeah, but I’m your shithead.” Gideon tooka drink of beer before pushing Tank and his tongue away from the front of his shirt.“Go on, Tank. Lie down.”

As Tank settled in the grass at their feet,Gideon said, “Daniel is drunk.”

Preacher glanced across the yard. Danieland another firefighter named Jesse, were sitting in lawn chairs near the firepit.Daniel was gesturing wildly to Jesse with one hand while he held a beer in theother.

“How many has he had?” Preacher said.

“At least six.” Gideon glanced at his ownbeer. “Enough that he’s not driving home. On Tuesday night, Ian got calledout to The Hitching Post to break up a fight between a couple of drunks. Danielwas one of them. Ian said the same thing happened the week before.”

“Shit.” Preacher glanced at Addison. “Hissister know he’s drinking that much?”

“I don’t think so. But if he keeps this up,we’ll have to -”

Preacher stopped listening. The assholegamer was holding Addison’s hand and studying the friendship bracelets on herwrist. He stood and stalked toward them. Without speaking, he grabbed a paperplate and dumped some raw veggies onto it before standing next to Addison.

He stared at Lucas’s hand holding Addison’shand before giving Lucas his bestwhat the fuck do you think you’re doinglook.

Addison pulled her hand away from Lucas andsmiled at Preacher. “Hi there.”

“Hey, Preacher.” Lucas held out his handand Preacher shook it. “How’s it going?”

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