Two of a Kind Read online

  Ap nodded. No one needed tetanus. “Watch your baby sister too.”

  “Oh, very nice,” Trey murmured.

  “Come on, Court!” The girls ran off.

  Trey stepped to the kitchen doorway. “Can you guys set a timer to check on your sisters in twenty, please?”

  “Sure.” Cole didn’t sound put out, so Ap guessed that was a good compromise. The boys would do dishes later.

  Amelia was organizing vegetables by color, so carefully. His little chef. She made lines of the veggies on the big turkey tray he’d given her; they had a neighbor who gave them a new turkey platter every year.

  “Good job, Ames. I’ll take a picture when you’re done.”

  “Will you put it on Instagram?”

  “You’ll break the internet.”

  Oh, that pleased her, didn’t it? Deep down. She gave him a happy little grin before going back to putting together her puzzle.

  Trey bumped hips with him. “I’ll take over dressing if you baste.”

  “You got it.” They had double wall ovens, so the pies could be in one while the turkey roasted in another. He basted that bird with its own juices, then checked the pies. “It’s cooking!”

  “Surprise, surprise.”

  He was going to swat Trey. Maybe pinch him.

  Maybe kiss him.

  He wondered what Trey would do if he just turned around and kissed the man on the mouth. He glanced at Amelia before tugging Trey with him to the pantry. There. Compromise.

  “Ap?”

  He loved that little flash of confusion.

  Ap took the kiss he wanted, deep and long, and Trey opened right up, grabbing his ass. He laughed for sheer joy. Now this was something to be grateful for.

  The door opened, Cole standing there in the light. “Seriously? You’re old.”

  “What?” Ap blinked. “We are so not old.”

  “Too old to be macking in the closet.”

  “Well, you guys never let us have time anywhere else.” Trey rolled his eyes. “Nothing is burning, right?”

  “Just your old-dude passion.”

  “I will kick your skinny ass.” Ap pushed past Cole, still holding Trey’s hand.

  “Dude, I outweigh you by eighty pounds.”

  “Cole.” Trey’s voice had a little chill.

  “Sorry.” Cole gave him a not-quite-sheepish look.

  He was going to watch that. He’d talk to Trey, get some advice. He didn’t want to have to kick Cole’s ass. Still, he needed to know if he laid down the law, Cole would fall in.

  “It’s okay, man. Can you make sure the girls aren’t setting any fires before you go back to your game, please?”

  “You got it.” Cole headed outside.

  Trey looked at him, shrugged. “He has to figure out where he fits, I guess.”

  “Yeah, and where I do. I don’t blame him, but I’ll need him to have my back.”

  “He will. He’s really beginning to… be grown. The next bit is going to be hard, I bet.”

  “Well, I got your back.” He goosed Trey’s ass.

  “Yeah? I like that. A lot.”

  “The pinch or the back-having?”

  “Both.”

  Ap grinned, then turned to Amelia, who had finished her masterpiece. “That’s amazing, hon.”

  Was that a… buffalo? Out of broccoli? Wow. She was going to sell art when she grew up.

  “Thanks, Uncle Ap. Can I make cranberry goo now?”

  “You totally can. Careful, okay?”

  “Uncle Daddy will help with the sugar.” She was so certain Trey was right there for her. And he was. “Do you remember when I couldn’t do this? When I was too little?”

  “I do. I remember when all you did was sleep.” He winked at her when she squealed.

  “Do you think Bella’s lying about remembering our momma and daddy?”

  “No.” No, he knew Bella was old enough to remember some stuff. “I know you’re sad that you don’t remember more, but I think she knows some stuff.”

  “It’s just not fair. Everyone but me and Court remember.”

  “Oh.” He knelt down to hug her. “I can tell you stories to help.”

  “It’s not the same. I don’t remember them at all.” She grabbed on to him, though, and held on tight.

  “They loved you so much. We can sit and look at pictures, maybe? After the goo? I want to tell you.” She was breaking his heart.

  “Oh. Oh, I would like to.” She brought her lips to his ear. “It makes Uncle Daddy sad sometimes.”

  “I bet it does. He lives here, right? He sees what they could have had every day.” He said it softly before kissing her cheek. “Goo?”

  “Goo!” She nodded, the storm clouds gone in a flash. “I need pineapple and whipped cream and cranberries and….”

  When he looked up, he found Trey watching them, this misty smile on his face.

  He winked over, letting Trey know it was all okay. It was all going to be okay. Trey nodded to him before moving past him to unload box after box of brown ’n serve rolls.

  “How many can these kids eat?” Ap asked.

  “Cole and Braden can eat a box each.”

  “Wow.” That wasn’t really fair, to be so shocked. He’d downed his share before he had to cut the carbs.

  “You’re just the diet guy.”

  “Shut up.” His cheeks heated. Ap had gained five pounds already, just being home. On the road, they were all in the same boat.

  “You look amazing. I’ve never seen anything finer in my life.”

  His cheeks went hotter than he could ever remember. “Thank you.”

  He’d had a lot of folks—male and female—admire him, but Trey meant it. Trey looked at him like he’d hung the moon or held the ladder for the guy who had.

  “Uncle Ap. Sugar!”

  “Right.” Got it. Thanksgiving.

  “She’s going to have you running your ass off come Christmas baking.”

  “I can’t wait.” He would have to leave soon, but finals would be over in time for him to come back and bake with his babies.

  Then he was going to be home for a few months, and it was going to rock. He’d made a plan. He was going to try to win a day at the finals, at least. Get his ten thousand dollars on. Then he would skip Fort Worth and Denver. Maybe even San Antonio. He could start with Austin or Houston.

  He wanted to be able to help around the house, maybe take everyone to the beach for spring break this year.

  Oh now, there was an idea. Galveston would be a hoot. He would love to see how the kids reacted to the kelp….

  And with two of them, they’d be able to handle the kids. Hell, Cole and Braden would be basically handling themselves. He would tell Cole to ask his girl along too. They could rent a house….

  “You’re smiling, Uncle Ap. Is that good?”

  “It is, Ames. Real good.”

  “Oh cool. Pour and I’ll stir.”

  “I got you.” He poured sugar, watching her face as she concentrated hard.

  “Uncle Daddy! I hate Cole.” Bella came stomping in like a thundercloud, Courtney slinking in after her, head down.

  “Do you? Why’s that?” Trey sounded only the barest bit curious.

  “Because I made her stop walking the top rail of the ostrich fence,” Cole said easily, coming in to grab a carrot off the relish plate.

  “Ah. Well, you know you’re not supposed to be up there, don’t you?”

  “It’s so tall! Courtney bet me!”

  “She bet you….” Trey rolled his eyes. “Time to come in and wash up. You two can help set the table.”

  Court nodded, moving to wash her hands, but Bella glared at everyone impartially.

  “Did you really bet her?” Ap whispered.

  “Uh-huh. I double-dog betted her.”

  “Oh man.” No one could resist the double-dog dare. No cowgirl, anyway.

  “Good Lord,” Trey muttered. “I just need ten or twelve more kids.”

 
; “At least.” Neither of them could even yell. They would have done it too. “Bella, stop grumping and wash up. We’re gonna have a good day even if I have to put Xanax in your turkey.”

  “Yeah, yeah. If they didn’t convince Uncle Daddy to do that at school, you won’t either.”

  He pulled a Trey and stared her ass down. She grinned, then flounced to the sink. Score one for Uncle Ap.

  “Very nice,” Trey whispered.

  “Drugs?”

  “Not going to happen with my kids.”

  “She doesn’t need drugs.” Bella was so far from needing to be medicated. She was just stubborn.

  “I know that. I told them to shove it up their asses.”

  “Good on you.”

  He checked on Amelia, who was carrying dishes to the table, tongue caught between her teeth.

  “Bella, Court, help your sister.” Man, he sounded like a dad.

  Cole started pouring iced tea, and Braden appeared, going to the sink to wash his hands. “What can I do?”

  “Serving spoons, please.”

  Trey pulled the pie out, then started wrestling the turkey out of the oven, the huge bird wobbling. Cole jumped in to avert disaster, all of them hooting and hollering like they’d roped a dinosaur or something.

  Lord, look at them and their feast. Them and their family.

  Ap stood back for just a moment to enjoy the scene.

  Then Phineas streaked through the kitchen, leaping to try to reach the table, and they were back to normal chaos.

  Christ, he had a lot to be thankful for. Always had, but now he knew.

  That made it even harder to think about leaving.

  AP was doing crunches.

  Hundreds of them.

  It was fascinating, at least at first, and Trey watched for a while before heading out to get some work done.

  All those crunches meant it was time for Ap to leave. He hadn’t said anything yet, but finals started in just over a week, and Ap would have to go a few days early and get on a few practice animals.

  It was no big deal. It was what Ap did. He wasn’t going to be a shit about it.

  He hoped.

  Trey would miss Ap in his bed. A lot.

  Hell, Trey would miss having another adult to help around here, to help with bedtimes and homework and the running around. Ap had surprised him, really. He was firm but fair, and he was damn good with Bella, helping her be more responsible and less reckless. Ap was patient with Ames too, talking to her endlessly about her folks, teaching her all the stories. Hell, Trey hadn’t heard some of those tales, and they made his heart hurt but happy, if that even made sense.

  “Uncle Daddy, can I bring Julianne to supper?”

  “Sure. We’re having enchiladas, okay?”

  “Sounds great. I just want her to come before—” Cole shrugged.

  “Sure, son.” Because Ap was special. He got it.

  It hurt a little, but he totally got it.

  “Cool.” Cole grinned at him, but those eyes were sad. “You’re gonna miss him bad, huh?”

  “It’s a couple of weeks, son. He’ll be home after he wins the big purse.” God yes.

  “Yeah, and then he’ll go again in January.” Cole shook his head. “This stay seemed different somehow.”

  “It was. It was longer—he usually stays just for Thanksgiving week and the two weeks at Christmas.” And they were sharing a bed, talking about sharing a life.

  “I like having him around.” Cole chuckled. “Less driving for me.”

  “Yeah, yeah. You’ll have a couple busy weeks of that with all the Christmas things.”

  “Yeah.” Cole grimaced. “Guess making extra money is out.”

  “You help me out, I’ll help you out.”

  “You got it. Thanks for letting Julianne come over. I’ll go call.”

  He nodded and got back to stuccoing the house, patching around the faucets and windows.

  Ap appeared about ten minutes later, maybe, heavy jacket on his skinny-ass body. “Hey. You need some help?”

  “Hey, stranger. I’m running late, but it’s been warm, so….”

  “Well, God knows I can stucco with the best of them.”

  “Rock on. Cole’s bringing the girlfriend to supper. He wants her to meet you again.”

  “Okay. She seems like a nice kid.” Ap grabbed another joint knife so he could patch cracks.

  “She does. She really likes Cole. I’ve talked on birth control a lot. We don’t need babies.”

  “Not now, no.” Ap sounded horrified. “Later, sure.”

  “Much later. Like another fifteen years.” Like Cole would wait that long.

  “I know.” Ap chuckled. “So, should I make green chile apple pie?”

  Trey grinned. He’d been amazed to find out that Ap was kind of a closet chef. The man could cook.

  “Can you make one with and one without? Braden and Court don’t like the heat.”

  “I can.” Ap slathered on stucco, then textured it.

  “Thanks. I’m making enchiladas.” I’m going to miss you, man.

  “Oh yum.” Ap stepped close enough to bump against him. “You know I got to go tomorrow.”

  “I know. You going to tell the kids tonight or just let me do it after school?”

  “I’ll tell them unless you think it will cause a problem.” Ap frowned a little.

  “Nah. There will be some tears, but that’s pretty reasonable.” He could deal with that.

  “Sure. Okay.” Now Ap gave him a sideways look. “You okay?”

  “Sure.” He felt his cheeks heat. “I’m already looking forward to you coming home.”

  “Me too.” Now Ap softened, relief on his face. “I thought you were pissed.”

  “Nah, jealous a little. I’d give a lot to come with you.”

  “Oh damn. I wish I could take you.” Ap grimaced. “No way now.”

  “No, no. We have Girl Scouts Christmas, we have midterms, we have choir performances and….”

  “I’ll be back by the caroling thing, right?”

  “You told Bella and Braden you would be, so you’d better be.” He wasn’t covering for Ap for that.

  “I know. I’m on it. Finals end the sixteenth, and it’s not until the twentieth.”

  “Yeah. You’ll be here for the 4-H party too. We’re supposed to bring chips.” God, Ap was going to think he was so boring.

  “Chips I can do.” Ap gave him a wide, evil smile. “Beer is out, right?”

  “Shit, Marcela would love you forever.”

  “I know, but the kids would try to sneak.”

  Yeah, Ap had caught Cole trying to sneak out with a six-pack from the fridge the day after Thanksgiving. Like they weren’t going to notice.

  Cole hadn’t liked cleaning out all the outbuildings one bit. “Oh, I think you taught Cole a lesson on that one.”

  “I sure hope so.” Ap’s eyes twinkled. “Just using what Mom and Dad used on me. Is that how it always is? Parenting the way your folks did until you learn what works?”

  “Yeah. I just keep trying shit and making it work.”

  “You do great. I had no idea how many moving parts there were.” Ap was a damn good stucco-er.

  “Me either,” Trey confessed. If he had, he’d never have been able to do this.

  “That’s probably good.” Yeah, Ap got it now, didn’t he? It made Trey feel less alone.

  He grinned at Ap. “You looking forward to getting back to work?”

  “I’m hoping to get a check.” Ap’s return smile was muted some.

  “I just want you home again safe for Christmas. Speaking of, what do you want?”

  “Huh?” Ap peered at him. “For what?”

  “Christmas?” Dork.

  “Oh!” Ap’s expression cleared. “Uh….”

  He laughed at Ap. Like Ap had never been asked what he wanted from Santa.

  “I could use a new belt.” Ap nodded as if that was that. “What about you?”

  “I think
I’ll ask the kids for a wallet.”

  “Okay.” Ap agreed easily. “How many do you have now?”

  “Thirteen, fourteen?” He chuckled, the sound starting low and growing.

  Ap hooted, slapping his arm, and soon they were just tearing it up, laughing so hard they could hardly stand.

  Braden appeared like magic. “What are you doing? Is it fun? Can I help?”

  “Sure, kiddo.” He pulled out another joint knife, this one smaller. “We’re patching cracks. Put a good dollop of goo over the hole, then scrape it down.” He demonstrated. “You need to find the ones down low, since you’re all young.”

  “I can do it!” Braden took to it like a duck to water, chattering away to them both.

  Ap bumped hips with him, and he closed his eyes, trying to pretend Ap wasn’t going away tomorrow.

  He wasn’t a child. He wasn’t a teenager in love. He was a grown man who knew Ap was coming back. All he had to do was have some patience and trust.

  For now, he just needed to keep the damn house from falling down around their ears.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “AP!” Dean Farber trotted over to clap him on the back. “How’s it hanging, man?”

  “Good. About to get on some practice bulls.”

  “You have a good time visiting your nieces and nephews?”

  “I did. I’m heading back for Christmas as soon as I can.”

  Dean waggled an eyebrow at him. “Can you stay one day after?”

  Yeah, no. Not a chance. He had a big, hot blond waiting for him, someone that had been waiting for him. He would have, once upon a time, but that was when he thought he never had another shot at Trey.

  “No, man, sorry. How’s it going with you?”

  “Good. I mean, good.” Poor Dean, he looked so confused.

  “Yeah? You gonna get on a bull today?”

  “Might as well, if I’m not going to get a ride anywhere else….”

  “Sorry, buddy. I got a steady thing.” He might as well be flat-out honest.

  “No shit? Good for you!” Dean grinned at him, slapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll be damned.”

  “I know!” He didn’t want to go into it too much. It was not new, but it wasn’t old news either.

  “I’ll buy you a beer later. To congratulate you.”

  “Thanks, man. So who’s the frontrunner in roughstock?”

  “J398. He’s a solid ride, not mean, but a good challenge.”