“We’ll get there. Just be patient.” Colton blushed, but he put his hand back and rubbed for a few more seconds. “Besides, there’s no chance we could do anything here and now.
The fact he knew that and flirted anyway made it worse. “I’m trying to, Colton, but it’s not easy. I’m nineteen and this too-hot-for-words guy is inches out of reach.”
Colton sucked in a breath and let it out. “I’ll get us there soon, honey. I promise.”
Knowing Colton wanted him back only made it worse, but they couldn’t do anything with a house full of family. “I trust you.”
Zach looked around and darted in for a quick peck on the stubbled cheek. “Let’s go find your uncle.”
The ‘nothing special’ dinner had been some of the best food Zach had ever eaten. With all the family together, they filled five picnic tables with no room to spare.
Maddie sat on his right and Colton to his left. Wedged in, Zach almost purred in happiness. Four days ago he’d been worried about how to get away. Now, he needed to figure out how to stay and keep Maddie with him. Even the thought of her leaving made his stomach twist.
She was laughing with Nanette, the sound relaxed and free, so perfectly open. If anyone thought it odd these two strangers were sitting with the family, Zach had seen no sign of it.
Probably because Nanette ruled things. And if Jerry and Ted didn’t care, who was going to tell them they were wrong?
Zach ate more than he should have, but real food, not cooked in a truck or at a greasy spoon diner was a treat. He felt ready tobust when Nanette rustled up the family to clear the table. When he tried to help, she put a finger to his chest.
“Nope. Jerry called this whole picnic so you could play with the family. You and Tyler go help him set up.” She smiled and gave him a wink. “I told you from day one, keeping Jerry happy is the best thing you can do. And you’ve been an angel doing it.”
Colton hovered at his elbow. “Don’t worry, honey, this is how it’s always been. Sometimes it’s best to let things be.” He rubbed Zach’s back for a second. “Let’s go save Tyler and help Grandpa set up. There’s more than a few amateur musicians in the family, so be prepared to tell them what you need.”
Suddenly Zach wished he’d been allowed to clean up. Grandpa used to handle the show; Zach just did as he was told. Sure, he’d told the others to get on point, but always with Grandpa’s authority hanging over him.
“Okay.” It sounded as unsure as he felt.
“Don’t worry. Grandpa thinks you walk on water.” Colton put his arm around Zach’s shoulder. “You tell him what you want, and no one is going to give you any shit.”
Contact with Colton helped calm him. This family life was new to him. It was intimidating and somewhat overwhelming, but it was part of Colton as much as cowboy boots and his hot-as-fuck hat. For the chance to stay with Colton, he’d make it work.
Rosining up his bow, Zach inched closer to Tyler. The tween seemed more unsettled than Zach felt. “Eyes on me when we’re playing. Forget everyone else, and just be the music.”
Tyler swallowed and nodded. “Is that how you did it?”
Laughing, Zach put the final touches on his bow. “When I was nine, Grandpa just threw me up on stage and said, go play. I nearly froze when I saw the crowd, so I focused on a cloud. After that I didn’t look at the people for two years or more. Not until I had more confidence.”
There were almost a dozen other family members who were going to play with them. They were clustered around Jerry, who was tuning his banjo. Zach knew Jerry could play. Colton too. The others? He had no clue. Greg was tweaking an electric guitar, and Betty sat in front of a piano, playing scales to warm up.
He searched for Colton, and when he got the thumbs up, Zach motioned for Tyler to follow.
“We’re ready,” he said to Jerry.
The old man smiled at him but beamed when he saw his great-grandson. “You ready, Ty?”
“I think so, Pawpaw. Zach was teaching me some stuff.”
“He’s good, Mr. Hanlon. Real good,” Zach said, bumping shoulders with Tyler. “We’re going to blow the family’s socks off.”
“That’s what I like to hear.” Jerry clamped a hand on each of their shoulders.
Jerry was a bit rough before you knew him, but he didn’t hide his love for his family. Zach wasn’t family, but Jerry didn’t seem to care. He showed affection for Zach in a way Jeb never could, and Zach was determined to repay that kindness anyway he could. “After we play the first song, I can improvise with the family if you like.”
“Or you can play a few songs to show us why we’re not the ones on stage,” Colton said.
Blushing, Zach avoided staring at Colton. “Whatever you want, Mr. Hanlon.”
“If you hadn’t asked him to be your backup, I’d send him to muck out a stall.” He winked at Zach and stood. “Okay, if everyone will settle down. Before we start, Tyler and Zach are going to lead us off with something.”
