Josh rolls his eyes. “He means him, stupid.”
I don’t know why, but that makes me laugh. Then, for no other reason than I’m laughing, Josh lets out a hearty laugh himself. It’s infectious, and soon we’re all laughing, even Riggs.
When we all finally calm down, Riggs says to Keegan, “I’ll be here for the next two weeks. Let me take you and your brother out to lunch so we can talk more about this. What do you say?”
For the first time that I can ever remember, Keegan doesn’t look angry. “I’d say yes…hell yes!”
“All right, then,” Riggs says. “Have fun fishing. We’ll talk later.”
Keegan looks at me. “So, you two are…”
I grab hold of Riggs’s hand. “Yes, we’re together.”
“No shit,” Josh mutters.
Keegan looks at his brother then back at me like he can hardly believe it as well. Truth is, I don’t blame him. “You know what? Forget about fishing,” he says. “We can go over the funeral arrangements if you want. I have some ideas.”
It dawns on me that maybe Keegan has had ideas he’s been desperate to share, but no one would ever listen. Maybe that’s why he’s angry all the time. Perhaps he’s felt discardedor pushed aside. That could make someone feel pretty worthless, and if you feel like no one sees any value in you, you give up on life and… what? Drink beer and go fishing?
It’s starting to make sense now, and all signs point to dear ol’ Dad being the reason this family fell apart. I guess if Keegan can run a successful roofing company, we’ll know who was to blame all along.
Another thought occurs to me. None of this would have happened if Riggs weren’t here. Keegan would have stormed off and gone fishing. I probably wouldn’t have seen him until the funeral. After that, I’d have moved out and never talked to either of my brothers again. But now, we just might have a different future, a better one, and once again, it’s thanks to Riggs. You’d almost think the man should have a red cape.
Feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude, I lean over and whisper ever so softly in his ear, “Thank you. Tonight, I’m going to blow you until you come down my throat.”
Riggs winces as he leans back with a scowl and a low groan. I’m pretty sure that means there’s not enough room in his pants right now.
Josh notices something’s wrong. “You okay, dude?”
Riggs shifts in his chair and squeaks out, “I’m fine.”
CHAPTER 29
Riggs
“Damn, woman, you can’t do that to me.”
We’re at The Fool’s Grill in the middle of Main Street and it might be the most unusual restaurant I’ve ever been to. Maddie mentioned the menu was different, but I didn’t know what she meant until I actually saw it.
“I don’t have to if you’re not interested,” she says, twirling a finger in her hair like she’s all innocent and naïve.
All I can do is laugh. She knows darn well what she’s doing to me, and before my dick doesn’t fit in my pants again, I decide to change the subject. “I thought Keegan had some good ideas about the funeral.”
That snaps her out of porn-star mode. “I know, right? I’ve never seen that side of him.”
“Obviously I don’t know him, but it seemed like he just needs someone to listen to him.”
“Funny you should mention that. I was thinking the same thing. I’m starting to see a lot of things differently now.”
As I look at the menu, I realize Maddie might have been understating this place when shewarned me it’s different. The dishes are insane, and I want to try every one of them. Guess I have two weeks to make that happen. “How’s the Duck Duck Goose Beaver Slap sandwich?”
“Everything here is good.”
Even the soda—strawberry rhubarb—is interesting. Maddie said it’s made right here in Sweetbriar. I try it, and it’s surprisingly good.
She seems to already know what she wants while I’m still reading about this crazy sandwich. “Says it’s layered with seasoned mallard duck, Peking duck, Embden goose, blackened beaver meat, and jicama slaw with a special house sauce mildly similar to a remoulade. Is this for real?”
“Yeah, you should try it. The bread is made at the bakery two shops over. Some say it’s as good as the meat combination.”
