I grin. “He just wants credit.”
Joey snorts. “What I want is to know why you had to bribe us in the first place.”
I groan, rubbing the back of my neck. “Because I needed an hour, alright?”
“For what?” Tex asks, already smirking. Boone nudges his hand, and Tex scratches behind his ears, the dog’s tail thumping happily.
I ignore the bait. “For something important.”
Joey narrows his eyes. “Important like avoiding chores so you could make out with your girl?”
Seth elbows him. “Leave him alone.”
Tex lifts a brow. “You’re acting weird, Billy.”
“Not weird,” I mutter, stepping closer. My heart thumps harder than I want to admit. “I’m thinking about proposing.”
All three of them freeze.
Joey’s the first to react, barking out a laugh that echoes off the rafters. “Proposing? Have you talked to Sedona’s dad?”
“No.”
Tex’s eyes widen. “Then what the hell are you doing? Dr. Archer scares half of Prairie Pine.”
Seth leans on his broom, smiling. “Everyone knows you two are together. It’s not like he’s gonna shoot you.”
“He might,” Joey says. “He’s protective.”
My jaw ticks. “It’s not anyone’s business. I love her. That’s the damn point.”
They glance at one another before looking away.
I’m suddenly very nervous. “Can one of you say something?”
Tex sighs, rubbing Boone’s head. “I love Sedona. We all do. But she’s young, Billy. You sure she’s ready?”
His voice isn’t mocking. Just soft. Careful.
Makes me want to chew gravel.
Seth shakes his head. “You don’t wait forever for an Omega like her.”
Joey crosses his arms. “Marriage ain’t a small thing. You’re rushing.”
“I’m not,” I snap before I can stop myself. “I’ve known since we were kids.”
“Knowing and deciding are two different things,” Joey says.
“Lay off him,” Seth mutters, stepping between us. “You always get like this.”
“I’m not getting like anything,” Joey argues. “I’m trying to be sensible.”
Tex’s jaw tightens. “I’m out. You’re all annoying. Marry her, don’t marry her, I don’t give a flying fuck.”
He whistles for Boone and heads for the door, muttering something about feeding the horses before he loses his mind.
Joey watches him leave, then turns back to me. “What’s his problem?”
