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The doorbell drowned out the sound of my laughter. Barrett walked in and I scooted out the back way to get myself in order.
“You okay, man? You’re really flushed,” Barrett said.
I clapped my hand over my mouth as Lucky snorted. “Women are the devil.”
Barrett laughed. “Let’s see.” There was a pause in which I imagined Lucky lifting the tea towel. “That needs stitches.”
“I know,” Lucky huffed. “That’s why you’re here.”
“I’m a vet.”
“I’m an animal,” Lucky retorted, and Barrett’s big boom of a laugh shook the house.
“Mama?”
I rushed to the couch. “Hi, Dolly.”
She turned her face away. “Mama.”
“Mama will be here soon. One more sleep, darling.”
I took off my bangles and hung them on my finger as I reached for her.
She hesitated, then came to me, tucking her face into my neck. “Mama.”
My heart broke. There was no way to explain to her that she would see Hope tomorrow morning.
More laughter came from the kitchen as I made my way there with Brayleigh. It was almost time for her next dose of Tylenol.
“If it was one of two, I’d do it for you, man. But this needs to be done right. It can affect your guitar-playing if it’s not done correctly because of where it cuts across.”
Barrett headed over to me, a big finger held out to shake hands with Brayleigh. “Hello, little angel,” he said as she grasped his finger. “You not feeling too good?”
Lucky sighed, and then looked at me. “I’ll call Ava, okay, baby?”
Barrett’s head snapped up in surprise, his all-too-intuitive gaze swinging back and forth between us before he turned to pack up his stuff and give us a hint of privacy.
I shook my head as the shame rolled over me. “Just leave me her number. If I need her, I’ll call.”
“You sure?” He looked doubtful. “She’s not exactly at her best.”
“I’ve got it, Captain.”
Barrett let out a snort.
Lucky turned to him and jeered. “You’re just jealous, Bear, that my woman is so enamored of my member that she has named me for him.”
I laughed. “Who spilled? Willa?”
Barrett scoffed. “Who do you think?”
“Junie.” I declared.
“Yup.”
“Come on, Captain. I’ll take you to the hospital.” Barrett’s mouth twisted to the side. “Somehow this feels different than when I call Rhys ‘handsome’. Nope. Can’t do it.” He shook his head. “I’ll wait for you in the car.”
Lucky turned to me immediately and touched a finger to my cheek. “I’m sorry I said that in front of Barrett. I wasn’t thinking about him, I was only concerned for you.”
