Page 249 of Mountain Daddy
“What are you two doing here?” I slide my hands into my pockets so I don’t accidentally pull Kendra into a hug.
Joe slaps a hand to his stomach. “We’re hungry.”
“Good timing. I was just about to eat.” I am hungry, so it’s not a lie. “If we sit at the bar, Jessie can join us.”
Joe lifts a hand, waving to my sister. “Hey, Jess.”
Jessie waves back, but instead of staying put, she follows my path around the bar.
Joe holds his arms out like he’s waiting for a hug. But Jessie slaps his hands out of the way and pulls Kendra into a hug instead.
Kendra lets out a little oomph before she returns the gesture, patting Jessie on the back.
“What’s this?” Joe furrows his brows.
With one arm still wrapped around Kendra, Jessie backhands Joe in the chest. “You should’ve told me.”
It takes a second, but then Joe’s shoulders slump, and I watch his eyes get glassy. “Oh.”
Jessie smacks him again. “Yeah. Oh.”
“I’m fine.” Kendra lifts her chin so she can speak over Jessie’s shoulder. “In case everyone forgot that part.”
“Let us love you,” Joe says, then he steps into the girls, encasing them in his own hug.
Kendra turns to me with playfully pleading eyes. “Luther, save me.”
I shake my head. “You heard the man.” Then I step up opposite Joe, and we trap the girls between us.
Kendra sighs, pretending defeat.
But I feel the way she leans her head against my chest.
And while Joe is busy closing his eyes, I press a quick kiss to Kendra’s hair.
Then I bite down on a laugh when I see Doug, a regular, walk up and press his body against Joe’s back as he tries to join the hug.
Joe jolts.
Doug wraps his arms around Joe’s neck, not touching the women. “What’re we hugging for?”
Joe tries to shrug him off. “Dammit, Doug. You need to be invited for stuff like this.”
“Aw, come on, man.” Doug drops his arms and steps back. “I never get hugs.”
Our group breaks apart, and Joe groans as he turns to face Doug. “Fine, you want a hug, you can have one.”
Joe opens his arms.
Doug smiles as he steps into my friend and takes it.
Kendra turns to watch them but leans back against me as she does.
Jessie shakes her head, but I don’t miss the way she wipes at her eyes. “Doug, you have a wife and seven kids. You get plenty of fucking hugs.”
Joe drops his arms. “Seriously?”
Doug hugs him for another second. “Sonevermight’ve been an exaggeration.”
