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He was also staring Kevin down like he wanted a fight.
“Hey!” Joe waved. “What are you doing here? You don’t work today.”
“Hey!” Kevin smiled, though he kept his eyes on the stranger. “Nah, I’m actually here just to let you know I’m gonna take a few days off. Figured I’d tell you in person ’cause it’s such short notice. Finally taking the vacation you keep harping on me about.”
“Seriously?” Joe barked out a laugh. “Whoa, okay. Just a few days? So, you’ll be back for this weekend or no?”
Kevin rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh, probably not. Not sure though. Just kinda hittin’ the road and seein’ what happens to be honest.”
“All right. Sounds like a pretty serious vacation.” Joe looked to the stranger. “Could you, uh, give us a sec, please?”
The stranger grimaced, but he nodded. He got up, brushing by Kevin to wait over by the stage.
“Sorry.” Joe shrugged. “Surprise from the fire marshal’s office. Said it was a routine inspection.” He set down the silverware he’d been working on, frowning worriedly. “Are you really okay, man?”
“Yeah, absolutely!” Kevin focused on Joe, though he didn’t let the stranger move out of his line of sight. “Everything is good. Just have some personal stuff to work out, ya’ know?”
“Yeah, sure. I’m assuming you’re leaving Julie in charge, right?”
“Yep. Promised a raise and a paid vacation of her own when I get back.” Kevin glanced to the door where he knew Percy was outside waiting. “Maybe you can pop in and make sure the place doesn’t get burned down or anything while I’m gone?”
“Steve?”
“Steve.”
“Of course, man. Be happy to.” Joe walked out from behind the bar, his arms open for a big hug. “Have fun, man! See you whenever you get back!”
Kevin hugged Joe tight, and warmth bloomed in his chest. Maybe he didn’t remember anything from his true past and the family he thought he knew wasn’t real, but he did have a damn good family right here and right now that he cared for deeply.
Angel or not, he knew when this adventure was over, he was coming home.
“I’ll be back soon,” Kevin promised. “Don’t replace me.”
“What? With the way your pretty ass brings in the tips?” Joe laughed. “Never!”
“Good! Whole place would shut down in a couple of weeks.” Kevin winked. “All right. I gotta get going. See ya’ soon!”
The fire marshal or whoever he was was still staring.
Whatever.
Kevin ignored him and headed back out to the truck. He hopped in the driver’s seat, grinning at Percy in greeting. “Hey!”
“Oh hello, peaches.” Percy’s face was shiny with grease. “Ready to finally get on the open road?”
Kevin frowned, and he poked at the pizza boxes. They were very light, and he opened them to reveal they were both empty. “Are you fucking kidding me?”
“What? You left me alone for what felt like hours, and you didn’t even crack a window. I was extremely distraught. I had to eat my feelings.”
“It was five fucking minutes tops! Kevin sighed heavily. “Thanks so much for saving anything for me. Maybe I had feelings that needed eating too!”
“I’ll help you drown your feelings later with raw, sticky, barbaric sex.”
“That’s not gonna keep me from getting hangry, but it’s a start.”
CHAPTEREIGHT
Kevin stopped at a gas station and parked at one of the pumps. He shut the truck off and reached across Percy’s lap to crank the window down. He made it a point to bump against Percy’s crotch, smiling sweetly. “Don’t want you to get too hot.”
