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I stand up and blink fast.
My mind goes into mom mode.
I text Cutter that I’m on my way.
I’m not sure what’s going on but it must be serious for him to text and ask me for help.
9
Cutter
“This place needs an in-ground pool right here,” PJ says, holding out a half-empty bottle of beer. He shuts one eye and starts drawing with his pointer finger as though a pool is magically going to appear.
“Not my house,” I say. “Remember?”
“You should buy the place. It’s great back here. So quiet. Small town.”
“You buy it,” I say.
“Too quiet for me,” PJ says. “You know that, brother.”
“Hey, at least the place has a grill,” Ranger yells from the corner of the deck. He’s now cooking a bunch of steaks. “Could use a bigger one though. Or a griddle.”
“Guys, I don’t live here,” I say. “Tony found the place for me. So I can hide for a bit.”
Trey slides open the back door and steps out with a grin on his face.
“What were you up to in there?” I ask.
I know that grin. That’s Trey’s mischievous grin.
“Just draining the lake monster,” he says, grabbing between his legs. He then smacks his own stomach. “Ranger, where are those steaks at? Don’t overcook them. I like mine bloody.”
“Same,” PJ says.
“I’ve got it,” Ranger says. “Not my first time at a grill.” He squeezes a set of tongs and points at me. “What about you? You like it raw?”
“With that lifeguard I bet he loves it raw,” PJ says.
“I bet he drowns in her,” Trey says.
“You guys are relentless,” I say. “I really wish I had a better story to share.”
“Tell us again what happened to your wheels?” Trey asks. “You just gave them up to her?”
“Why does that matter to you?” I ask. “We’re out here hanging, enjoying a day off. We cleared almost two dozen eggs and now we’re about to eat half a cow. Why does anything else matter?”
“Because you haven’t had anyone in a long time,” PJ says.
“That’s nice coming from you, man. You’ve never had a relationship before.”
PJ looks back at me. “Sure I did. Remember Starlyn?”
“The stripper?” Ranger laughs.
“She and I had a thing,” PJ says.
“You paid her for attention,” I say.
