Page 88 of Hollywood

Knight’s gray-and-white Boston Terrier had her full attention. I put her down, and she ran straight for him. Biscuit yipped and bowed to her, as if they were at a formal gala. Ruby giggled and yanked on one of his perky ears.

Thankfully, Biscuit seemed delighted. He trotted around the chairs, letting Ruby chase and catch him.

Tex grinned. “Makes you miss the days when tag was the best game ever, huh?”

“I don’t know. I think a game of chase could still be fun with the right partner.” I gave him a cheeky wink.

He ducked his head, but I saw the smile he was hiding. The storm clouds of the other night had cleared by morning. Tex seemed back to his usual self. But I knew how good he was at exuding nonchalance while inside a storm brewed. It concerned me that he wouldn’t open up and talk, but Tex wasn’t like me. He didn’t spill his worries; he pushed them down deep inside.

“She looks like she’s feeling better,” Knight said as we sat down.

“Aiden’s advice was right on the money,” Tex said. “Where is he, anyway?”

“Running late, as usual. He’ll be here.” He chewed his cheek. “I just hope Joyride shows.”

Joy had skipped the Redemption Road meeting, claiming he didn’t feel well. Seeing Dakota had shaken him, but maybe that was good. Like Tex, he’d been shoving down the guilt and shame over what happened. He needed to face it.

Knight got a couple of beers from the cooler for us. I hadn’t had time to stop for the IPA I preferred, so I was stuck with his crappy Miller, but I wasn’t about to make a fuss and let the guys all shit-talk me for being a spoiled princess.

Biscuit and Ruby tired of their game, and Ruby climbed up onto Tex’s lap while he and Knight shot the shit about his new job. He seemed to be thriving there, which was a good change from his experience last year.

I pulled out my phone and texted Joyride.

Hollywood:

We won’t have anything to eat if you don’t show.

Joyride:

You’re all grown men. Go find something.

Hollywood:

Get your ass over here right now.

“You talking to Joyride?” Tex asked.

“Yeah. He needs to stop hiding away and wallowing.”

Tex nodded. “Guilt is a nasty business. It gets its hooks in you and it’s hard to get loose.”

Ghost sauntered over, still standing. Knight lifted his feet off the cooler and got out a beer for him. Ghost took it with a nod of thanks.

“Watch that boy carefully,” he said. “Guilt like that can kill a man.”

My chest tightened. That was grim. I didn’t doubt it was true, though.

I checked my phone, but he hadn’t replied since my last comment. I hoped he was driving here—and not just leaving me on Read.

“How’s the barbershop?” Knight asked. “I need to get in for a cut.”

“Just come by anytime. I’ll fit you in.”

“Thanks, man. Clint still a good boss?”

“Oh, he’s the best, except for how hard he works himself. The man keeps the shop open six days a week. I could cover Mondays alone, but he always wants to check in and ends up hanging around for hours.”

“Maybe he doesn’t have anything else he’d rather do.”