I loved him for it. All of them. Rico and Tanner and Chris. They were roughnecks. Hicks. But they were soft in ways most people didn’t expect.
“Pants,” Gavin said, sounding annoyed. “Lots of pants. I said I only need one. Rico said everyone should have more. I asked him why. He told me to shut up and listen to him. I did.” He shrugged. “Stupid Rico.”
“I’m pretending that was a term of endearment. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to kiss my baby momma and my baby. Bambi, get ready for some sugar.”
Chris and Tanner followed him to the house. I could hear the others talking behind us, but it faded away when I looked at him. Behind him, in the bed of the truck, were a shit-ton of bags. It looked like they’d bought out an entire department store.
“I did okay,” Gavin said. His forehead was lined as his brow furrowed. “Didn’t flash my eyes or anything. Even if I wanted to.”
“That’s probably a good thing.”
“Yeah,” he said. Then he cocked his head. “What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean?”
He tapped my chest. “Thump, thump, thump. It’s louder. Faster.”
“I just…. I’m happy to see you.”
“You are?”
“Yeah.” I cleared my throat. “Very.”
“Oh,” he said. Then he spoke slowly, as if choosing his words with great deliberation. “I am happy to see you too, Carter. I was… I saw things. Stuff. That I wanted to show you. But you were here. I just forgot.”
“Like what? What did you want to show me?”
“Everything,” he said seriously, and when I laughed, he was startled into a smile. It was blinding. “That’s funny?”
I nodded. “It is. You are.” I took his hand in mine. He looked down between us before lifting his head again. “Floppy sweaters are good sweaters.”
He said, “Yeah. I’ll show you. Green. And purple. And blue. And red.” His eyes widened as I started toward the truck. He pulled me back, squeezing my hand. “No. No, Carter. Don’t. Stay back.”
I was confused. “What? Why?”
“I said so,” he snapped at me. “Always asking questions. Just do what I say.”
“Christmas presents,” Rico called from the porch. “We worked hard, didn’t we, Gavin?”
Gavin nodded furiously. “Can’t look.”
I was absurdly touched. “You didn’t have to get me a present.”
He snorted. “Who said I got anything for you? Greedy ass.”
I gaped at him.
Mom spoke up. “If you’re done fawning over him, I’d like to have a look.”
I should have been outraged at her even suggesting such a thing.
I wasn’t, because she spoke only truth.
Gavin went to her, and when she twirled her finger, he stretched out his arms and spun around slowly. When he was facing her again, she said, “You’re very handsome. Just like your brother.”
Gavin glanced up at Gordo, who nodded at him. “Damn right we are.”
Mark snorted and bumped his shoulder.