Summer Sweat (Spruce Texas)

“Oh, no, don’t look over there,” Lance quickly says, shielding a certain area from sight. “I’m working on a thing for Nadine’s inauguration and—Is it called an inauguration? I don’t know—and it’s a total mess, she’s gonna hate it, I have so much work to do on it. It’ll be my first piece featured on TV, which is kind of amazing, but terrifying, too. Chairs are over here.”

After we move all six chairs to the table, we take a seat and Lance starts spilling his heart out to us about everything. “It isn’t the weirdest thing, I guess,” Lance is going on, “Nadine and Cassie becoming besties overnight. I was pretty sure Cassie giving my career the funding and takeoff it needed was going to put a target on my back as far as Nadine was concerned, since word around town was they were arch nemeses, but man, did it do the opposite. It started with Nadine showing up on my doorstep and cheerily demanding we do coffee one day, because she had to get all of the inside scoop on me and Chad after his big coming out speech at church. Then suddenly she was my best friend and wanted me to dress her at every event she ever attends—in perpetuity. Little did I realize that would lead to her and Cassie Evans mending fences and Nadine wanting to throw her hand in making my business a success.” Lance shrugs. “Win-win for me, I guess?”

Harrison folds his arms on the table. “Now with her becoming mayor soon, she’ll be on TV all the time, with you dressing her up like a doll. Sounds like a great advertisement, too.”

“And dress her up, I will.” Lance chuckles, then frowns. “But it is a lot of pressure. I’ve been snapping at Chad more than usual. He can be a handful. Honestly, I wouldn’t wish anyone to be in poor Nadine Strong’s shoes. She claims she’s handling everything well, but every time I see her, she looks more frazzled than the last. Girl needs six tequilas a day to manage all that stress.”

Harrison laughs and shakes his head. Lance goes on talking about the Strongs and how things have changed since their high school days. Harrison’s cheeks warm and his eyes go watery as he listens to Lance, and his laughs seem to come easier.

What is it about Harrison right now that’s sticking out like a sore thumb? Is it his total lack of moodiness? I don’t see the dark curtain over his eyes, either, or the usual strain in his face. He’s converted into a bowl of pudding on the table in front of Lance.

I didn’t think they were all that close. Why do Harrison’s eyes sparkle when he looks at him?

“Anyway, long story short, I don’t think you’ll get to see Chad today,” Lance finishes up. “That man’s got his hands full, especially since Old Man Mitch dropped a bomb on him that he may have to retire. Something to do with his back.”

“Ooh, that’s no good,” says Harrison. Then he eyes me. “Mitch is Chad’s foreman. He’s got a different way of running things here, much more hands-off than Gary.”

“Ranch pretty much runs itself,” Lance puts in with a shrug. “I know Gary and Chad have a great relationship. Chad’s always over there meeting with Mr. Strong about this or that.” He shrugs. “I have nothing to do with any of that. I just mind my own business. Literally. My own business.” He gestures at the studio. “And happy life is a happy wife. Or is it the other way around?”

As Harrison laughs, I realize my mind is still caught up in a whirlwind of confusion and unanswered questions. I think it also has to do with Lance bringing up his husband’s coming out speech, and Reverend Trey’s sermon about turning keys.

Suddenly I can’t contain my thoughts. “Can I say somethin’?”

Lance and Harrison turn to me. “Well, go ahead,” says Lance. “You’ve got the floor.”

“I just wanted to say …” I fight a sudden urge to chicken out. I straighten up my back. “I thought your husband was, uh … really brave. To do what he did.”

Lance quirks an eyebrow. “To do what?”

“In front of everyone at the church. His, uh … speech.” Is this stupid to say? Why is Harrison giving me a look? “I thought it at the time, too. Even told a friend of mine I was there with. I … I thought it was really cool of Chad. To do what he did. To set, like, an example for everyone. Or something.”

As I fight back a blush—or whatever the hell’s happening on my face right now—Lance appraises me, nodding slowly. “Thanks for that,” he finally says. “Very sweet of you.” He eyes Harrison. “Your strapping young assistant is sweet.”