Dax (Arizona Vengeance 4)

After some digging, turns out Regan had been talking to another woman—my money is on Willow, but Regan wouldn’t give her name up—and the dick size came up. I had to tell Regan I had never actually measured myself, so she was just going to have to be left wondering until we were together again.

“I’d give a hundred bucks to know what you’re thinking right now,” Erik says, his voice vaguely penetrating through my pleasant thoughts of Regan.

I blink before giving a blasé shrug, then reach for another nacho.

“I know that look,” Erik says with a leering grin as he points a finger right at my face. My eyes dart over to Bishop, who’s smirking as he watches.

“What look?” I ask as I give my attention to Erik.

“I know that look, too,” Legend pipes up. He’s also grinning. Frankly, it’s nice to see on his face. He’s been through the fucking ringer here lately since Pepper had been shot and Charlie kidnapped. But he’s on to brighter days for sure.

“What fucking look?” I growl.

“You’re seeing someone,” Erik says emphatically with a nod. “Someone special.”

“Am not,” I mutter as I take a sip of my beer. “And mind your own business.”

“Totally seeing someone,” Legend drawls, rubbing his jaw in contemplation. “He can’t hide it.”

“So who is she?” Erik asks, leaning his elbows on the table. “What’s her name? Where did you meet her? When should we schedule a group date with all of us?”

My head snaps toward to Bishop. “What the fuck? Did you say something?”

“Didn’t say a word, dude,” he replies, but now I’ve just totally outed myself.

“Christ,” I mutter as I glance between Erik, Legend, then back to Erik. Exhaling, I admit, “It’s Regan.”

Both men blink in surprise, and Legend says, “You’re fucking kidding?”

I shake my head, digging through the plate of nachos for a loaded one. “Not kidding. And in the interest of full disclosure, I married her already.”

“Holy shit,” Erik drawls.

Legend whistles low in amazement. “You don’t play around, do you?”

“There’s a good reason I had to marry her so quickly,” I explain before realizing how that sounds when Erik and Legend both go quite pale. I rush to explain what I can to them. “She’s not pregnant, so get those expressions off your face. But there is a very good reason we needed to marry, but I can’t tell you what it is. Just know I believe Lance would have approved.”

“Okay,” Legend says with his head tilted in confusion. “I believe you when you say it’s a good reason. Even more so that you can’t tell us what it is, but there’s no mistaking the look on your face. You care about her.”

“Of course I care about her,” I snap. “I’ve known her since she was born.”

“You’re totally having sex with her,” Erik says, and Bishop elbows him in the ribs. He shoots him a glare before giving me his attention again, his tone a little more subtle. “What I mean is you look totally smitten with her. An intimate type of smitten, and I think I’m safe in saying this to be true since I’ve had that same damn look on my face when Blue is around. Same for Legend and Bishop, I’m sure.”

“Well, congratulations, Sherlock. You have me all figured out.”

“Why so bitter about it?” Legend teases. “This sounds like cause for celebration. Another beer at least.”

“I’m not bitter about it.” My denial is fast and strong. There is absolutely no bitterness for my situation.

Confusion? Yes.

Regret? Maybe. I mean, if I end up hurting Regan, sure.

Curiosity as to what more could be? Abso-fucking-lutely.

“Look,” I say with a sigh. “Can we talk about something else? No offense, but things are just new and confusing and I’m figuring shit out. When I know something, I’ll let you assholes know. I promise. But for now, I have to keep some stuff close to the vest with regards to Regan.”

There’s silence around the table as they share exchanged glances of concern but acceptance of my request.

“Whatever you need, bud,” Erik assures me. “We got your back.”

“You bet your ass we do,” Legend adds.

“Always,” Bishop intones, then snags a passing waitress. “Can we get four more beers?”

“Since we’re changing subjects,” Erik says as he picks up a chip, studies it, and determines there isn’t enough good stuff on it so he drops it. “Everyone’s coming to Billy’s party on Sunday, right?”

There are resounding “yups” around the table. Billy is Blue’s brother who has a form of cerebral palsy that has him confined to a wheelchair. He lives in a really nice group home—his choice—but spends a great deal of time at Erik and Blue’s house as they’ve spent a lot of money and effort into making it handicapped accessible. He’s a great guy—funny, smart, and always a joy to be around.