“Known him ten minutes, know he wants in my wife’s pants and he wants that bad. Those two things are not conducive to me trusting him.” He paused then went on, “Still, I do.”
“Different,” Julius muttered. “Name clear. Restitution.”
“Don’t give a shit about that.”
Julius turned his head and looked up at Walker. “You should.”
“Doesn’t bring back five years.”
“No,” Julius agreed. “But the real you got that’s solid and races to you practically the minute you get home, presses close even though you’re still wet with sweat from the gym like she don’t even notice, your name clear, restitution is a gift for her. Gives back a little of what she’s givin’ you.”
“She didn’t do five years,” Walker replied.
“No,” Julius again agreed and looked back to the view.
“She’s with me on this, brother,” Walker stated quietly.
“So am I,” Julius returned just as quietly. “Whatever you do, I’m with you. You don’t wanna sit back and hope this brown boy from Texas can make another miracle for you, I don’t blame you. I’m just sayin’.”
“I hear you,” Walker whispered.
He’d just said the last word when they heard, “All right boys, soup’s on,” and they both turned to see Lexie standing in the opened door. “Give me drink orders and head out to the back deck. Serve it up, it’s waiting.”
Walker pushed away from the railing, feeling Julius follow him.
“Beer, babe,” he said, moving to her.
She nodded on a grin up at him then her eyes moved beyond him to Julius. “You need a refresh?”
“Yeah, woman,” Julius replied.
She grinned at him, turned and lifted her face when Walker got close, he gave her what she didn’t verbally ask for but he knew she wanted, bent and touched his mouth to hers.
Then he moved beyond her into the house.
Julius followed.
When he hit kitchen, he looked back to see she was returning to the house after collecting his cup and Julius’s empty.
And seeing that, Julius’s words hit his brain.
Gives back a little of what she’s givin’ you.
Fuck.
He set it aside and walked out to the back deck to see she’d put out placemats, cloth napkins, plates, cutlery and she’d lit little, squat candles around the base of the umbrella. Some of these were recent additions she’d bought when she was with her girls, getting it in order to make a nicer table.
And there was also the food, fried pork chops, mashed potatoes, gravy, greens and rolls.
A celebration for Julius, the best she could do with no notice and it was obviously still really f**king good.
Gives back a little of what she’s givin’ you.
Fuck.
He again put that aside and sat, Julius sat opposite and Lexie came out with three beers, announcing, “Apple pie and ice cream after dinner. It’s a frozen one but it’s a good one.” Her eyes came to Walker and she gave him a smile. “Luckily, went to the store on my way home from the salon before Julius showed.” She sat between them and her eyes went to Julius. “He works out loads but my man has got a sweet tooth. Can’t keep stocked.”
“Not big on desserts inside,” Julius told her as a joke but saw his mistake immediately when the shadow crossed Lexie’s face. Therefore he instantly muttered, “Sorry, baby doll.”