Page 105 of Fighting For You

"Thompson sent you in."

"I went in. For you. And a dog." He wiped down the side panel without looking at me. "I got a fractured arm and a scar on my neck, and you still won't tell me when your birthday is."

"You lost the bet, Travis."

"The bet was before I almost died for you, Knox." He stopped wiping. "I think that changes the terms."

I looked at him. He looked at me. He wasn't smiling, but the corner of his mouth was doing something.

"October twenty-eighth."

He pointed the rag at me. "Was that so hard?"

"Don't make a big deal out of it."

"I would never." He went back to wiping. "October twenty-eighth. Got it."

I knew I was going to regret it.

Nora told me we were going to The Lantern to celebrate the promotion. I put on a clean shirt and got in the truck.

The crew was already there when we walked in.

"Happy birthday!"

I looked at Nora. She was smiling.

"You told me this was for the promotion."

"It is." She squeezed my hand. "And your birthday."

Travis was at the end of the table with his arm around Lori. She was leaned into his side with her drink in her hand. He raised his glass.

"To the birthday boy and the newest lieutenant at 110. Double celebration."

His arm swung wide on the toast and the beer sloshed over the rim onto Lori's shoulder.

"Oh, sorry, babe."

Lori wiped her shoulder with a napkin and didn't move away from him. Selena brought the food out in waves. Sliders, nachos, the garlic parmesan tenders with buffalo ranch on the side. Everyone dug in.

Wyatt found me at the bar while Nora was talking to Andy.

"You got everything ready for Sedona?"

"The ring's being resized. Should be back by Wednesday."

He nodded. "You nervous?"

"No."

"Liar." He took a sip of his beer. "You're going to do great, brother."

CHAPTER 28

Garnet

NORA