Chapter 18

“Oh, man, I wish I could have seen that. Priceless!”

We were both finished with our meals by now. I got up to clear the table.

“Let me help,” he said.

“Sure.”

We got everything put away and the dishwasher stacked in record time.

“Beer?” I asked.

“Sure, thanks.”

I got two bottles of Budweiser from the fridge and led him out to the living room. The stereo was on from earlier, and soft music played in the background.

While we were getting comfortable on the couch—I sat as far away from him as possible—my cell phone rang. The ringtone was the George Strait song “All My Exes Live in Texas.”

Damien burst out laughing when he heard it. “I love that song,” he said.

I was surprised, but then not really. The day had been a revelation, in many ways.

“Hello.”

“Hey, Les. It’s Wade.”

“What’s up, man? Why are you callin’ me on a damn Sunday? Curtis out o’ town?”

“Nah, man. I’m gonna be out tomorrow. His Dad died, and we’re going to the funeral.”