Page 47 of The True-Blue Romance

“What if I want a pet alligator?”

“Then you better be prepared to feed it rats because it won’t be me.”

Ah, Joey knows me. I don’t think I could stomach that at all. Joey shoots me a wink, ’cause he’s caught me again, then he looks both ways before brushing a kiss over the apple of my cheek.

“I don’t want to step in shit on accident, but how’s everything with your father?”

I shrug. Truly, I haven’t been the best at visiting him lately. “Fine. Do you think you’d maybe want to come with me the next time I go?”

Joey’s jaw tightens as he thinks it over. “He always hated me.”

“He won’t remember you,” I tell him honestly. It’s the truth. He barely remembers me most days. “Maybe… I don’t know what I want.”

“It’s a complicated thing. I just want to support you, however you need.”

“I know.”

“Can Buster sleep with me tonight?” Savannah shouts from a few feet behind us, Buster clutched in her arms, the bunny staring at me like he’s daring me to say no. “Please, Daddy? Please, Unc-Lee?”

“Whatever you want, angel.”

Savannah’s grin is brighter than the setting sun. Joey groans from beside me and shoots me a look. “She’s going to be a nightmare as a teenager if you always give in.”

“That’s my job. You can be the hard-ass. She’ll come to me for boy advice.”

Joey lets go of my hand and gently pats my cheek. “For more advice than that, I think.”

10

JOEY

I’m still thinking about the lazy blowjobs Lee and I exchanged this morning when I pull up to the farm. Lee is really good at blowjobs. Honest to god, sometimes I worry he’s going to suck my brain out of my dick. But also, the way his eyes glow, his chest panting with effort as he holds back his own completion, maybe that’s even better than the actual blowjob.

I arrive at the farm a little later than everyone since I take Savi to school, but I can see Lee’s beat-up truck already parked at the office. Benji’s standing by the sunflower fields, a backwards cap on his head, hands on his hips as he waits for me to arrive. Everyone’s always waiting on me it seems.

Once I’ve got my trusty red bandana in my hair, I hop out of the truck and head toward Benji. I whistle loudly, and he spins toward me, that kind smile blooming across his face.

“Ready to work?” I call out.

Benji shoots me finger guns; he’s cute, but kinda awkward too. “Always. I actually made the baked jalapeño macaroni and cheese for Nolan last night.”

“And?” The rockstar better have loved it, or I’ll probably cry myself to sleep.

Benji’s eyes crinkle as he aims me an ecstatic smile. “He ate two servings! It’s the highlight of my day when I can get him to eat so much he falls asleep.”

“Tell me more about him so we can figure out more meals. Practice at home will make you a better chef, and your loved ones are your best critics.” I push the food truck doors open, climb in, and aim a smile at Benji over my shoulder. “Trust me.”

“Is that how you are with Savannah?” Benji asks as he climbs into the truck after me.

“That’s how I am with Savannah and Lee, yeah.”

Benji aims a curious look at me. “And Lee?”

“I’ve always liked cooking for him because he didn’t grow up with a lot of homemade meals filled with love, unless it was Beau’s mama doing the cooking.”

“What are Lee’s favorite foods?”

I bite back a smile, thinking about Lee favoring sweet more than savory. “He loves cinnamon raisin French toast or the blueberry cheesecake bites I make during blueberry season.”