saying—starve a fever. Feed a cold. So I’m feeding it this bread pudding while it’s still warm.”
She pressed her hand to her forehead. “Thank goodness I work for a restaurant and a kindhearted boss who doesn’t mind it when I take food home, otherwise I’d never be able to afford groceries for that boy. I swear his legs are hollow.”
“My mama always said the same thing about me. That and that I was a reincarnated tapeworm. But it’s all the football drills your boy runs, Cherise. You’ve gotta feed that metabolism.”
“Just don’t let me forget to bring home leftovers for him after dinner.”
Nick groaned at her. “Again, not a puppy, Ma. I don’t need a doggie bag.”
“Says the boy who will be starving by the time we get back tonight.” She gave Bubba a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll see you shortly.… Nick, behave!”
“You, too.”
As soon as she was gone, Bubba scratched uncomfortably at his jaw. “You sure you’re okay with this?”
Nick hesitated. Honestly? He was a lot of confused about it. His mother was a sacred entity where he was concerned, and he didn’t like sharing her with other people. Ever. He never had. Even as a kid, it’d bothered him to see her holding another baby, even at church.
But he was getting old enough to appreciate the fact that his mother had never dated, and that he’d selfishly taken up her entire life since the moment he’d been born. Like she said, she wasn’t old. But he’d hogged every day of her youth.
She deserved to be happy and to find a decent guy who would treat her like the queen she was.
When all was said and done, he couldn’t think of anyone better than Bubba, except Kyrian. But Nick knew from Ambrose that Kyrian had another destiny waiting.
Another woman he was meant for.
And Bubba deserved another chance to find a woman who could love him. Since the day he’d lost his wife and son, he hadn’t dated, either. He’d been locked up in this business and zombie hunting with Mark. A lost, lonely soul.
Yet whenever Bubba was around his mom, a light came on in his eyes. His cocksure friend lost a lot of his composure. It did Nick’s fragile ego good to see that he wasn’t the only oversized male his tiny mom cowed and unsettled. Besides, he really did admire Bubba.
“Yeah. I’m just busting your chops, Triple Threat.”
Bubba grinned at his old football nickname that only Nick used these days. “All right. I meant what I said, Nick. You’re both important to me. And you’re definitely the most important thing to Cherise. Last thing I want to do is cause problems between you. Say the word and we go back to how we used to be.”
“It’s all good. Really. Now, go get dressed. Don’t keep her waiting. She can’t stand that. Trust me. I’ve still got the hand prints on my butt to prove it.”
He snorted. “Your mother’s never laid a hand to you and we both know it.”
“Not true,” he whimpered playfully. “Her harsh words singe my soul.”
“Okay,” Bubba said with a laugh, “fine. Mark’s watching the store tonight. If you need anything, he can get right over to you. My dad is out with his friends, but he should be back before much longer. And you know if you need anything, me and your mom are just a quick call away.”
“Yes, sir. But unless Caleb gets frisky with the stove, I’m not anticipating any problems.”
“Frisky with the stove?” Caleb scowled. “What fresh lunacy is this?”
“You know? Your house? I saw your kitchen. Looked like Mark came through it with his flamethrower.”
“Mark did come through it with his flamethrower, chasing demons!” Caleb said indignantly. “Dang near burned it down. Remember?”
“Oh yeah. Never mind.” Nick grinned at Bubba. “We’ll be better off without Mark, I’m thinking.”
“Considering the fact the boy almost fried himself to God with his cell phone cord and burned his Jeep completely up with it … yeah, I’m thinking you’re right. Don’t call Mark, on second thought.” He jerked his head toward his bedroom. “I’m going to change clothes. I’m taking your mom to Brennan’s if you need us.”
Nick made the sound of agony at the thought of them going there without him. He was already salivating. “Bring me back some dessert.”
Bubba laughed. “A’ight. Will do.”
As soon as he was gone, Nick slid his gaze to Kody. “Menyara’s?”
“Yes. I’ll get Xev.”
Caleb made a sound of total disgust. “Why?”
“This concerns him.” Then, Nick