“I’m tired.”
Rock mocked, “Pretending to have feelings has worn out the little guy.”
Rowdy sat up and made room for Farley. “I’m unlucky in love.”
Exhaling hard, Farley nodded. “Love hasn’t worked out for me, either.”
“I’m completely disinterested in romance,” Rock said.
Nine took the open spot across from me and muttered, “Dating feels like a hassle.”
The four men stared in my direction and waited for me to speak up. I considered remaining silent and seeing how long they would wait. Rock glared when I said nothing.
“He likes someone,” Rock announced.
“It’s Nova,” Nine replied. “Who else would it be?”
“I thought it was that nerdy chick from Nessa’s auto shop,” Rowdy suggested.
“Naw, she’s into chicks,” Nine said. “Ben was hitting her up, and she said she’s getting over a breakup with someone named Jenny.”
The men looked at me and waited. After a long minute of staring at them, I nodded at their unasked question.
“Nova’s really pretty,” Farley said. “I considered asking her out, but Exile is hostile.”
Grunting, I snarled, “I’m surprised he hasn’t pissed a protective circle around Nova.”
“Are you scared of Exile?” Rowdy asked me as he fought a grin. “Did he scare you off?”
“I’ve got plenty of reasons not to get involved with her.”
Rowdy insisted, “Name twenty-two reasons.”
An annoyed Rock snarled, “We should let this thing drop.”
“Shut up, dum-dum. Boone’s got feelings.”
“Her daughters are funny,” Farley said and grinned. “They yell at Zodiac all the time.”
“I’m not dad material,” I announced. “Those girls need someone better to play the daddy role.”
“Zodiac is having a kid,” Rowdy said while Rock frowned. “The man never even had a pet. If he can handle a kid, you can.”
Rock shook his head. “Well, let’s wait to see how well Zodiac handles fatherhood before we give him credit. No reason to think he won’t fuck up fatherhood once he’s got a crying little brat screaming at him all day and night.”
“Don’t assume Zodiac is pathetic like you,” Rowdy replied. “You stupid dum-dum.”
I snapped my fingers and pointed at them. “No wrestling. I just had the condo cleaned.”
“Maybe you don’t need to do the dad thing,” Nine suggested. “Doesn’t anyone just fucking date anymore? I swear I can’t turn around anymore without someone making a kid or moving in together. Can’t we slow down and have fun?”
“Why are you asking me?” Rock said. “I thought Clint was nuts to move that little woman into his condo. Now, they’re married. I thought Lula only wanted Exile on account of her PTSD. Now, they’re getting married. Elle didn’t even seem to like Zodiac. Now, she’s ditched her family and friends to move to a swamp to be with him. There’s a foul sickness rolling through our ranks.”
“Do you think our enemies have spiked our drinks with love spells?” Rowdy mocked.
“I’m going to tear off your balls, man.”
“No!” Rowdy squealed, making everyone laugh. “I need them to create life. You know I plan to have seven kids when I’m fifty.”
