Page 19 of Finding Hayes
I dropped onto the couch beside Cutler, while Savannah sat on the other side of him. We all reached for our bowls and started eating.
“I think that’s nice that you love your uncles so much.”
“Yep. I think it’s how you loved Abe, right? I could tell you loved him when you talked about him today,” Cutler said over a mouthful of beefy goodness.
I chuckled and handed him a napkin.
She studied him for a long moment. “Yeah. I bet you’re right.”
“How come you seemed mad at Uncle Hayes when you got here? Did he do something to your car?” he asked, and I just sat back, enjoying the show. I’d let Cutler speak for me all day long. She didn’t seem to get as annoyed with him as she did with me.
“My car broke down, and he had it fixed without talking tome.” She shrugged, before taking a bite of the cornbread.
“What? That was so nice of you, Uncle Hayes.” Cutler beamed up at me, a little dribble of chili on his chest. I leaned forward and cleaned him up with my napkin and winked. “My pops does that for Sunny all the time. He gets her car cleaned, or he brings her her favorite drink from Aunt Demi’s coffee shop. She calls that acts of kindness.”
Savannah leaned back against the couch and processed his words. “I see your point, Beefcake. I normally love acts of kindness. But me and your uncle, we haven’t seen each other in a long time, so it just caught me off guard, I guess.”
“But Pops told me you two were best friends, like me and J.T. are best friends. So even if you don’t see each other, you’re still best friends.”
Let’s go, Beefcake!
“Well, a lot has changed. But you’re right. It was a nice thing for him to do. I’d just like to pay the bill. I don’t like owing anyone, you know?”
“How come? Friends do things for their friends. Me and J.T. always help each other. You worry too much, Savvy. Uncle Hayes, do you want her to pay you back?”
“Nope.”
“But it’s my car,” she said, her honey-brown eyes glowing in the firelight as they locked with mine. “I can pay my own way.”
“Listen, I know money’s tight right now until you get your inheritance. So how about you agree to let me just do this for you right now.”
“Why?”
“Because I can, Shortcake.”
Cutler’s head fell back in laughter after he set his bowl down on the coffee table. “I love that my uncle calls you Shortcake.”
“I’m not even short. He just happens to be a freaking giant.”Savannah covered her mouth and stared at me with wide eyes. “Oh, wait, can I say freaking around him?”
I barked out a laugh. “Yes. Freaking isn’t a bad word. Relax, Sav.”
“I say freaking all the freaking time!” Cutler shouted, and they both burst out into hysterical laughter.
“Okay. Anyway, you’re a giant. I’m normal sized.”
“To me, you’re a shortcake.”
“Well, thanks for the chili. Just tell me how much the car was, and when I have the money, I’ll get it back to you,” she said.
“How about this? When I need a favor, I’ll let you know.” I arched a brow.
“You’re ridiculous,” she said.
“And you’re stubborn. It wasn’t a big deal. He owed me a favor.”
“Fine. You fixed my car, and you fed me.” She reached for her hot chocolate. “Thank you.”
“Was that so hard?” I asked. Cutler had made his way back to his puzzle and was calling Savannah over to look at it.
