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“No, but I know what Hedra’s brothers said they would do to him if he contacted Hedra again,” Chase said. “And trust me, I love my cousins, but they are over-the-top protective of Hedra, and Mateo would have to be an idiot to go after her beyond a couple of dumb texts.”
“People who are grieving make stupid decisions,” Boone said.
Chase didn’t reply and his frustration rising, Boone said, “Okay, but if something else happens, if Hedra is threatened in any way and she doesn’t tell me, do you promise to tell me?”
Chase hesitated. His voice hoarse at the thought of Hedra being in danger, Boone said, “I need to keep her safe, Chase.”
Chase leaned back in his chair. “You like my cousin.”
“I think she’s a good person.”
Chase snorted. “You’re falling for her. Tell me the truth.”
“Yeah, I think I am. She’s amazing, okay?” Fuck, it felt so good to say those words out loud.
“She is,” Chase said. “I promise to tell you if something else happens.”
Relief swept over Boone, and he gave Chase a grateful look. “Thanks, Chase.”
“Don’t mention it, man. But if Hedra finds out, I hope you’re prepared to save my ass from her.”
Boone laughed. “I got your back.”
* * *
“Pretty sure you’re not supposed to have that, Alfie.” Boone hung his jacket in the closet, staring at Alfie, who stood in the hallway, the dishtowel hanging from his mouth and his stub of a tail wagging happily.
“Alfie, you jerk, bring that back!” Hedra appeared in the hallway, her face red with irritation. “What is with you and stealing my shit?”
“Technically,” his nan’s voice drifted out of the kitchen, “the dishtowel belongs to my grandson, not you.”
“Semantics, Althea,” Hedra said. “I was using it to dry dishes. Therefore, it is currently my property.”
She glanced up and gave Boone such a look of exasperation that he couldn’t help but grin.
“You’re just cranky because you’re hungover,” Nan said.
“I am not hungover,” Hedra said. “I feel perfectly fine.”
“You don’t smell fine,” Nan said.
“Nan, be nice,” Boone called as he joined Hedra, who was trying to wrestle the dishtowel from Alfie’s mouth.
“Nice is for children and petting zoo operators,” Nan said. “Besides, if my nurse smells like cheap wine and weed, I’m gonna call her on it.”
“It wasn’t that cheap,” Hedra said.
“Smells like it was,” Nan said.
Boone picked up Alfie and gripped the dishtowel. “Alfie, drop it. Drop it, Alfie.”
The poodle growled, and Boone growled back. Alfie dropped the dishtowel, and Boone handed it to Hedra.
“Thanks,” she said before disappearing into the laundry room.
Boone walked into the kitchen and handed Alfie to Nan before kissing her cheek. “How was your breakfast with Jerry?”
“Good,” she said. “How was your day?”
