Page 69 of Leading the Blind
Jason nodded slowly. “I can hear it when you talk.”
“Been a hard season, guys. I ain’t getting younger. I got one more season in me, but that’s it. I’m wore.”
Dillon didn’t look any happier at Coke’s words than he did. “I have two more years on my contract. I can fly out on the weekends, work and come home, Coke. You know that.”
“You work, I oughta work.”
“Stubborn bullfighter.”
Jason snorted. “They come any other way?”
“Nope.” Coke smiled a little. “I’m just so tickled for y’all, though.”
Bax nodded. They were too. They’d done something that, even two years ago, had seemed impossible. They’d become like a family.
Sometimes he felt a little guilty for how happy he was when Jason had lost so much. He’d do a lot to give Jason his sight back, but he wasn’t sure now that he could give this up, this life they were making.
He intended on spending the rest of his life keeping Mini happy. That would make up for any failing he had now and again, Bax figured.
“Who wants snacks?” Dillon asked, not able to sit still for shit. “I’ll bring out some plates.”
“Do you need help?” Coke asked, eyes still closed.
“Sit, Coke. He’s got it.” Bax grinned as Coke didn’t even bother to argue. Lord have mercy, that son of a bitch was…tired.
Bone deep.
Was that where Mini’d been heading? Him? Shit, he didn’t like to think about that, because Mini wasn’t done. Almost, but not yet.Shit. Shit.
“Smells like it’s coming up a cloud, y’all.” Jason’s eyes were on the ocean, damn near like he could see it.
“It does. We’ll set up inside and watch a movie,” Bax said. Coke just needed to hang out, and he could put his feet up too. He’d been moving shit nonstop for days.
“This whole sun room-porch thing is great though.” Dillon danced inside. “We can get the breeze and not get soaked. I like it.”
“Yeah.” Jason got up when Bax tapped his shoulder. “The couch is puffy. It has recliners on each end, Coke.”
“Y’all rock.” Coke stood and they all started carrying in a plate or two. “I think you need a Coke machine out here. You could put beer in it.”
“We could put all sorts of stuff in it,” Bax said. “Dillon, can you keep an eye out?”
“I am the king of eBay and Craigslist.” Dillon saluted. “I’m on it.”
Mini managed to get to the kitchen, nibble then find his chair. The sight made him nod.Better. Jason was beginning to seem like he belonged here. They’d done well setting the place up, and thankfully, he didn’t have to remind Coke and Dillon not to move shit.
Now, they’d have to do a few dry runs before AJ could bring all his kids.
“Are you ready to ride again?” Coke asked, and Jason nodded.
“I know what I got to do, Gramps. I’m going to slam this into the ground.”
“You are. That wrist doing better?”
“It is what it is.” Jason shrugged.
Hell, Jason adapted so well to injuries that Bax tended to forget he had them.
“We need to find us a PCP down here, huh?” Bax made a note on their kitchen scribble pad. “I’ll call Doc.”
