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I’m good on what I needed from Stacey, but not from Jack Leslie. It’s about time I do a little follow-up to our conversation from The Foxy. Maybe if I show him I’ve been paying attention to Casey, and learning how to meet his needs, he’ll help me with the last Casey knot I can’t seem to untangle.
Icorner Jack as he digs into the drawer for the bottle opener and cracks the top off. I don’t bother with pleasantries. Casey must be done pissing by now but, knowing him, he got distracted along the way. My time is limited.
“Physical affection,” I list off, proud of the knowledge I’ve devised about Alderchuck.
Jack’s smugness bleeds off him and I have a feeling it’s not directed at me but an internal vision of Casey.
“How do you figure?” he says to toy with me and to make sure it’s not something I overheard. At least, that’s what I’d do.
“Because the man needs to be latched onto someone at all times.” From now on that someone is gonna be me. As much as I can. When our schedules allow. Dammit. I’m gonna have to make peace with him cuddling up to Jack now and then, aren’t I?
“Slowly realizing I’m a necessary evil, eh?” Jack figures out. The man gives flakey energy, but he’s actually smart as fuck. Too smart.
I choke off my growl. Growling’s not conducive to productive conversation.
“But I want a little more than that. Maybe we’re the affectionate ones.”
“I’ve noticed the way you guys pass him back and forth.” They did it a lot that night at The Foxy. “And he brings little things up in conversation all the time.” To fuck with me, I don’t add. Casey loves riling me up so I’ll go caveman on his ass and give him some of the physical attention he’s seeking.
I’m proud to say that, from me, he seeks a special brand of attention he can’t get from anyone else.
“Alright, you get points, Sutter. What are the other two?”
I’m pretty sure I’ve only determined one other Casey essential. That third one’s baffling me, pissing me off that it eludes me so damn much. I feel like it’s right under my nose.
“He doesn’t like being alone,” I say, listing off number two, which I’m sure about. “And before you ask, he’s never alone. He’s always gotta be somewhere, doing something with someone. Sometimes when we’ve fought, he’s gone to yours. I wondered about that. It could be played off that he was seeking his bestie for comfort, but then I realized, it was because no one would be home.”
“Wow. I’m impressed. I might have to admit that you’re a semi-decent guy, Sutter. Okay, what’s number three?”
I falter, but I don’t want to admit that I don’t know, so I scramble, shuffling through memories, trying to pull something. Anger burns under the surface, knowing Jack knows something about my Alderchuck that I don’t.
“Tell me,” I demand.
He laughs. It’s the kind of laugh that clenches my fist and makes it itch to connect with his face. But I’m not on the ice, I’m at a family gathering. Next time I’m on the ice, though …
“I know you want to pound my pretty face in, big guy, but if I tell you, it won’t be the same. You got the first two, I have every faith you’ll figure out the last one.”
“Don’t patronize me.”
“Believe me, I’m not. This is fucking fun. You’re so mad.” He laughs the same stupid laugh, patting my shoulder till I bare my teeth in a snarl. “Easy, Cujo.”
“Maybe there is no third thing and you’re just fucking with me.”
“Oh, there’s a third thing, alright. You’ve even encountered it already. It’s … what makes Casey difficult sometimes, but something tells me you’re up for the challenge.”
Jack crosses his arms, and something about his profile highlights the hat he’s wearing. Hang on, it’s not his fucking hat.I thought Casey’s hat looked more worn than usual.It’s not the first time they’ve played musical hats, but this time it’s more bothersome than it’s ever been.
Jack knows Casey better than I do.
I swipe it off his head. Jack’s grin nearly takes his face off. Don’t know why reclaiming Casey’s hat is cause for celebration.
Casey wanders into the kitchen. Jack’s hat on his head offends me. I rip it off and shove it at Jack.
“Whoa, Sutter. What’s your problem?” Casey says, but his arms wrap around my wide torso and his touch literally soothes the savage beast.
“My problem is you wearing everybody’s shit.” I dig my fingers into his tumble-y curls.
Jack settles his own hat backward over his blond lion’s mane of hair. “I’ll leave you two.”
