Reggie used to find their situations funny as hell. But he had a feeling life was about to get a lot less funny if fuzzy brown bears started humping My Little Pony.
“Look, it wasn’t that funny.”
Tex wore a large grin. “No, it really was. And is.” He high-fived Mack. “Reg, you have a real way with words.”
Mack grinned. “Funny, but little kids understand him no problem. Grown folks? Not so much. I’m thinking he’s at a social level of about first grade. Maybe second.”
Brad snickered. “Come on, Mack. Reggie’s at least as smart at a third grader.”
“Shut up, all of you.” Reggie lifted to muscle fatigue, trying to ignore Brad’s grin as the big guy spotted for him. “So what’s up with tonight? You guys busy with your girls or are we on for bowling?”
Brad nodded. “Avery and Bree are hanging out for a girls’ night. So I’m free.”
Mack smirked. “He means he’s allowed to go out.” He shot Tex a look. “And since Bree has allowed Tex some alone time, I guess that means he can play with the other kids too.”
“Got you by the nads, eh, Tex?” Hernandez laughed as he entered with the other four members of C shift, the guys of the second-best crew.
Tex flipped Mack, Hernandez, and the rest of their shift off, to much laughter.
The others returned hand gestures and started teasing Reggie about his drama at the library. Reggie threw the stuffed bear at them, which caused no end of entertainment.
“I think I’m done working out,” he muttered.
Mack groaned. “Me too. I need food. So tonight? Eight o’clock for bowling? I’ll reserve a lane.”
Tex frowned. “You can’t reserve lanes there.”
“You can when you know the manager.” Mack winked. “Later, losers.”
Reggie watched him go. “Sometimes I want to pound on that guy.”
Brad wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Same.”
“No kidding,” Tex teased. “Too bad he’s family, eh?”
Reggie sighed. “The little brother I never wanted.”
“Well, with your sisters, it’s no wonder. Lisa and Nadia scare me.” Brad shivered, which had Tex and Reggie laughing.
Reggie knew the guys loved his sisters. Heck, he did too. But yeah, they could be scary when someone threatened their baby brother.
Tex shook his head. “See you slackers tonight. I have a few errands to run.” Tex left with a wave.
Brad groaned. “Me too. I tried telling Avery she should be doing the grocery shopping since we’ve moved in together. I mean, women are into shopping, right?”
“How’d that go for you?” Reggie already knew the answer.
Brad grimaced. “I clipped coupons last night after apologizing several times on the phone. And in person this morning.” That brought a twinkle to Brad’s eye. “And I’m leaving right now to buy groceries. How do you think my suggestion worked for me?”
Reggie shook his head. “I could have told you that.”
“Well, where were you when I was being less than smart?”
“I’m here now, dumbass.”
Brad laughed and left, Reggie following.
Filling his day off with several errands of his own, Reggie picked up a few things, cleaned his house, and did laundry. He also talked to his dad, a mistake he’d known he’d made as soon as he’d heard his father’s upbeat attitude.
Which of course he shared with the guys when bowling later that night. On their second pitcher of beer, Reggie lamented his family’s new lease on life.
“So my dad is telling me all about how he’s charming his new girlfriend. I swear, the guy has love advice for me way too much. I think he needs a hobby.”
Mack guffawed and placed Reggie’s stuffed bear with that stupid sash in front of him. “That’s because your dad is popular with the ladies. Like father like son, eh?”
“Keep it up, dead guy walking,” Reggie growled.
“Oh, my bowl.” Mack darted away from the table and bowled a strike. The bastard.
Reggie sipped his beer, doing his best not to laugh. It never helped to encourage the guys.
Brad grinned. “I have to say, your dad is an inspiration. Women love him. Men love him. He’s a terrific guy.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Reggie groaned. “I love the guy. Don’t get me wrong. But just because he’s in love doesn’t mean I have to be.” Not again, at least, not so soon. “I mean, he’s been happily single for years. But suddenly he’s out to find a wife?”
Tex goggled. “Harry Morgan wants to get married? Your dad?”
“I know, right?” Reggie frowned. “Maybe he’s doing it to get me back out there, in some weird, father-does-it-best kind of example.”
Brad, Tex, and Mack, who’d returned to the table, wore identical expressions. Thoughtful expressions.
Brad said, slowly, “We know a few ladies who—”
“No.”
Brad gave him a coaxing smile. “Come on, Reggie. We’ve been cutting you a lot of slack, but it’s time.”
“I’ve dated. Heck, I went out last week.”
“On a call,” Tex reminded him. “Flirting when on a call doesn’t count.”
“Besides, she was flirting with you,” Mack corrected. “That really doesn’t count.”
“I flirted back,” Reggie said, knowing he had weak support.
“Nope.” Mack shook his head. “It’s time.”
Reggie didn’t like to think about why he’d been so slow about dating again.
“Amy’s gone, right?” Brad reminded him. As if Reggie needed to be reminded about getting his heart ripped out. “She and Rachel are back with her ex, and they’re happy. That’s a good thing.”
“It is.” It really wasn’t, because Amy’s ex was a huge douche, and Reggie had no doubt the guy would dump them. Again. But there was nothing he could say about it. Not when Amy had been so insistent that Rachel needed her father back in her life. No matter that the guy hadn’t been there while Reggie had been raising his kid for two years. Oh no.
“He looks pissed,” Mack murmured.
“Yep, there it is.” Tex slapped Reggie on the back. “The way I see it, you need to move on. It’s been what? Seven months now?”